Hi Guys!

Mastidon here having just gotten back to my room from one of the single most amazing nights of my life. I am here to bring you a scoop from Berlin. AICN was one of only 2 non-TV outlets to be given the chance to interview Madonna on the red carpet. She is here to promote her new film which she co-wrote and directed - FILTH AND WISDOM. A full review on that to follow but first, I want to give you all of the amazing details from today.

Getting into the screening this morning then the press conference this afternoon can best be described as having a general admission ticket to a concert. Everybody pushing and shoving. Hard to believe these were press people. Anyway, I was able to get into both. At the press conference I asked the following question:

MASTIDON: Hi Guys, Ain't It Cool News, USA. This question is for Madonna. We all know you have been a director for 20 years directing your stage shows. How much more difficult was it to direct film versus the stage shows?

MADONNA: Well its difficult in that when I direct my stage shows then I get to do them and it's a very visceral experience and directing you live much more in your head. So I was quite jealous that I had to watch Holly dancing and I got to watch Eugene performing. I do love directing and the experience of it but that was the one little tiny thing that was missing that visceral release that you don't have if you are not performing. So it was an adjustment for me to work from my neck up. (Laughs) And that would be the difference.

After the press conference I headed over to the premier where I was placed at the end of the red carpet next to CNN, the BBC, and DW on my right. On my left was the other print journalist from New York Magazine. Madonna gave a general interview to the 3 TV outlets altogether, then was introduced to me by her PR agent then she shook my hand.

Here is the transcript:

MASTIDON: I want to ask you a follow-up question to the question I asked you in the press conference.

MADONNA: Oh you asked me and I met you already.

MASTIDON: Yes, exactly.

MADONNA: You look familiar. (Laughs).

MASTIDON: Thanks. The question I asked at the press conference was about stage versus film and I liked to know -

MADONNA: Directing me.

MASTIDON: Directing, exactly. So who is really more difficult to control, actors or dancers?

MADONNA: Well I have an affinity with dancers, because I was trained as a dancer so I feel a strange kind of kinship with them. But I have to say that if I spend time with an actor and we have a rehearsal process, it's really the same thing. I do feel like there is a nurturing collaboration and I love collaborating with people whether its great actors or great dancers. Creative people.

MASTIDON: One more question, as an artist who performed at both Live 8 and Live Earth, why is that global warming is an issue that people can't get their head around versus saving children in Africa?

MADONNA: Because I think it is really easy for people to embrace the idea that children shouldn't suffer. But I think it is really hard for people to embrace the idea that they actually have to change their lives to deal with the environmental issues like they have to not drive their cars so much or change the kind of car they drive or not drive a car at all. You know what I mean? It really impacts people's lives and I think it's hard for people to take responsibility for that.

MASTIDON: I definitely know what you mean. Thank you.

MADONNA: You're welcome.

In all, Madonna only gave the general interview at the press conference, the one interview to TV, the one to New York Magazine, and the one to AICN. She is a very eloquent and well spoken woman. It was truly amazing to see that side of her after listening to her music for the past 25 years. I hope you enjoyed it a tenth as much as I did bring it to you.....

Ciao from Berlin,

-Mastidon