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3 OPENING FILM CLOSING FILM CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA FAMILY FILM OLD GOLD CLASSIC - FORBIDDEN FILM DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES NEW TALENTS COMPETITION GENDER FLUIDITY IN THE BALKANS SARAJEVO CITY OF FILM IN FOCUS - SLOVAKIA MEMORY IN CINEMA UKRAINE - A NEW PERSPECTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM MASTERCLASSES EASTERN EUROPEAN FILM FESTIVAL NETWORK MUSIC AT ENFF WINE TASTING A WELCOME BAG GIFT SUPPORTS WOMEN ON TOUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS FILM INDEX 678 25 27 29 40 48 60 66 72 74 76 78 79 82 84 86 87 88 92 94
4 A WORD BY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RADA SESIC The territory of Central, East and South Europe bursts with compelling stories and original films that tackle relevant topics from insider's points of view. In this part of the world makers hardly ever search for topics in far-away countries or other continents. They stay faithful to their people and speak out for their human interests as artists and citizens who deeply care for their place of origin. I have much respect for that. It could be more delicate to deal with a local issue about which everybody has a strong opinion than to investigate stories from remote countries that nobody ever heard of but seem attractive. In this way, I would say that the mission of a festival programmer is, on the one hand, to present these relevant stories to the audience and, on the other, to open a door for local directors to be noticed and get more visibility. At the same time, by sharing these engaging narratives, we open doors here in The Netherlands to relevant debates. This year, we have several theme programs focusing on different regions. Focus – What’s up in Slovak Cinema? Although it has a vibrant history, Slovak cinema started to develop relatively late compared to other European countries. So, we can still say that Slovak film is relatively young. Over the years the political situation has heavily influenced movie production. Nevertheless, the country’s film production has seen an intense boom in recent years – there are a lot of young filmmakers, brave stories and genre experiments. The industry has also opened to foreign countries for coproductions and tight collaborations. Many Slovak works have premiered lately at major festivals such as Venice or Berlinale. Our selection gives a small taste of Slovak's current cinema. Gender Fluidity in the Balkans Gender is an unwelcome word in Balkan countries. Especially regarding social and cultural differences rather than biological ones/ Or when referring to a whole range of other identities that do not correspond to established ideas of male and female. There are not so many films on LGBTQ+
5 topics being made in the Balkans, and certainly not with money from the official (state-funded) film agencies. However, in this (state-funded) film agencies. However, in this quite grim situation, several NGOs are actively trying to stand up for the rights of LGBTQ+ people. They keep the debate alive and regularly organise the Gay Pride (if allowed or not cancelled at the last moment). The marchers during the Pride are often attacked, suffering physical and verbal abuse. Through existing films that depict the struggle or just the life of LGBTQ+ persons, one can observe the broader spirit of the society, in which we see the forces of conservatism and patriotism but also tendencies of change and fresh liberal thinking. Memory in Cinema & Dealing With Archive Memory is not just about the past but also about interaction with the present, which can consciously or unconsciously influence our view of the future. How do we anticipate the future when, for example, we are daily being confronted with the horrors of war and conflicts? What will the story of Europe be in thirty or more years? We look at dealing with memory in film from different angles: memories from a personal or collective recollection through archive material. Two exceptional films, Scenes With My Father and Love Is Not an Orange and two masterclasses, by Biserka Suran, a DutchCroatian author and Otilia Babara from the Republic of Moldova, depict the present by attempting to understand the personal and collective past through remembrance and archive material. Ukraine – A New Perspective What happened to those who stayed and those who left the country? Where is the home of people who had to move out, whether they still live in Ukraine or fled to another country? Can a home be called home under these unusual life circumstances? Filmmakers, in five films, explore how people understand their new life. While working odd jobs, waiting for phone calls from their families at the front line, and following the news, they still find the energy to indulge in making art and attending cultural events, keeping their spirit alive. We are opening our Festival with the documentary Ivan’s Land from Ukraine by Andrii Lysetskyi, a fresh take on an artist in Ukraine. We bring several other films about Ukrainians who had to leave their domicile place. Documentaries Open Debates In every country, a documentary program is a "proposal for a door". What will the world of tomorrow look like? Documentary filmmakers work painstakingly to collect and tell relevant stories about the events around us. The films in this program expose pressing issues and thus confront us with life and the emotional and practical problems in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. These films put current themes on the agenda that are important to be seen and discussed throughout Europe. Sarajevo City of Film With this program, we salute the successful collaboration of East European directors through the initiative ‘Sarajevo City of Film’ that the Sarajevo Film Festival established in 2008. The mission of this fund is to discover, support, and promote the talent of filmmakers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region, and to enable their cooperation. So far, more than 300 films have been produced. Many famous directors today, like Radu Jude, Hana Jusic, Sonja Tarokic, Dane Komljen, Paul Negoescu, and
6 Christina Grosan, made remarkable shorts, all shot in Sarajevo, and all done in collaborations between at least three countries. New Talents Competition The New Talents Competition is back with its fourth edition! We invited young Eastern and Southern European filmmakers to send us their graduating or debut films to compete for an Audience Award (€1000). Yet again, we were impressed by the emerging directors' curiosity towards the world. These changing and often dire times impact the young makers – they feel them like no one else. Through the lens of the camera and their personal film languages, these artists interact with the world, question their surroundings, reflect on their past and present lives, and dream about what could and should be different. This year, we selected ten films from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania and Croatia. Old Gold, Have a Laugh, Family Film This year, we bring a cult film from Czechoslovakia - The Cremator by Juraj Herz, a funny, profound tale forbidden during the communist time. Still, its quality survived generations and is equally exciting to watch today as it was back in 1969 when the film was made. We also have several comedies/dramedies that have interesting takes on the world today and make the audience laugh but are also "food for thought". The weekend morning is always reserved for families and young teenagers. Film Marathon The film marathon is a new concept in which we merge two components, Short Films, Big Stories, and the New Talents Competition, into a whole-day screening of short films. Cushions, rugs, and tables complete the feeling of a living room. Due to its intimate atmosphere, this unique space is ideally suited as a place where young aspiring filmmakers can watch these short films and enter dialogue with each other and the filmmakers. Work in Progress Young authors seek constructive feedback from the audience and film professionals, and we provide a platform for that. The reflections on the presented work in progress could be instrumental in making progress in the finishing stage of the project. We also facilitate meetings with Dutch film experts, including experienced directors, producers, editors and consultants who provide one-on-one feedback sessions and help take these projects to the next level. EEFFN - Eastern European Film Festival Network We joined a network of five film festivals promoting and showcasing Eastern European cinema. The primary objective is the visibility and impact of Eastern European Cinema across Europe. The network is comprised of: GoEast Film Festival (Germany), BEAST International Film Festival (Portugal), Eastern Neighbours Film Festival (The Netherlands), A l'Est Film Festival (France), CinEast Film Festival (Luxembourg) and the EU Youth Cinema: Green Deal (Austria). This year, we will screen 54 films, fiction features, long and short documentaries, animation and short fiction. We bring 36 Dutch premieres, and we’ll host some 30 film professionals. Welcome!
7 FILM PROGRAM
8 OPENING FILM Ukraine has many stories, not only about the current war. This one brings a stunning portrait of a Ukrainian folk artist, questioning whether artists need acknowledgement from art critics to be recognized as masters of their craft. The winner of the Grand Jury Award at Pordenone Docs Fest and Docudays UA. Ivan Prykhodko is one of the last folk artists in Ukraine. He lives in a 100-years old house on the outskirts of Kyiv. He is self-taught, but everything he creates in his village turns into art. His positive attitude in life, his charm and playfulness give a unique spirit to his art as well as to this film that revolves around his work. One day, Ivan is invited to the heart of his country’s capital to exhibit his work at the Mystetskyi Arsenal – Kyiv’s prestigious art exhibition centre. The film follows Ivan as he enters into a new world of art critics, prestigious galleries, and urban chaos. IVAN’S LAND ZEMLYA IVANA | 2021 | 85 min PRODUCTION: Olga Beskhmelnitsyna, Gennady Kofman – MaGiKa Film CINEMATOGRAPHY: Andrii Lysetskyi EDITING: Serhiy Lysenko SOUND: Boris Peter MUSIC: Nikita Moiseev by ANDRII LYSETSKYI Ukraine DUTCH PREMIERE
9 CLOSING FILM / HAVE A LAUGH An entertaining, bitter-sweet, bizarre, and sometimes hilarious film about a midlife crisis and an unfaithful man on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Nino Radman is a man with too many women and too little time, a walking recipe for disaster. Too afraid to tell his wife that he fell for another woman, he seeks help from an “expert” whose advice leads him into even greater chaos. Living in fear of his own wife, he becomes paranoid, and turns into a ticking bomb that might explode any minute. Whether he will triumph or fail is revealed in this comedy full of unexpected twists, where the only thing bigger than Nino’s problems is his blood pressure. Marvellously performed by Kreso Mikic, one of the best Croatian actors and an excellent comedian. SEVENTH HEAVEN SEDMO NEBO | 2023 | 88 min PRODUCTION: Hrvoje Osvadic – 15th Art Production CAST: Kresimir Mikic, Iva Jerkovic, Iva Mihalic, Niksa Butijer SCREENPLAY: Jasna Nanut, Hrvoje Osvadic CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tomislav Sutlar EDITING: Tomislav Stojanovic by JASNA NANUT Croatia DUTCH PREMIERE
10 A ROOM OF MY OWN BREAD AND SALT BY A SHARP KNIFE FUCKING BORNHOLM HOTEL PULA KAYMAK LIBERTATE LOST COUNTRY ORDINARY FAILURES ONE OF US SUMMER TO COME THE BALLAD OF PIARGY THE HAPPIEST MAN IN THE WORLD THE LAND WITHIN WAKE ME CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA 8
11 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA A powerful acting duo, awarded in Karlovy Vary, forms the backbone of this superb drama about intimacy, female friendship, overcoming trauma, and the search for identity. A thought-provoking, playful and charming film that strongly questions female independence. Shy and unfulfilled Tina (24) is a young woman who has lost everything – family, friends, and even her violent husband. Her life gradually turns around after she rents a room from the free-spirited and independent Megi. The initial mutual resignation of the two girls caused by forced intimacy will blossom into friendship and refuge from the cruelty of the patriarchy and the traumas experienced. Bliadze’s festival favourite is a touching and beautifully articulated film about self-fulfilment and emancipation subtly expressed in seemingly small gestures. A ROOM OF MY OWN CHEMI OTAKHI | 2022 | 107 min PRODUCTION: Eva Blondiau, Elmar Imanov, Ioseb “Soso” Bliadze – COLOR OF MAY / Imanov & Blondiau Filmproduktion GbR; MAISIS PERI CAST: Taki Mumladze, Mariam Khundadze, Sophio Zeragia, Lashao Gabunia SCREENPLAY: Ioseb “Soso” Bliadze, Taki Mumladze CINEMATOGRAPHY: Dimitri Dekanosidze EDITING: Ioseb “Soso” Bliadze by IOSEB “SOSO” BLIADZE Georgia, Germany DUTCH PREMIERE
12 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA While bread and salt are a sign of hospitality in his culture, Damian Kocur focuses his lens on the less welcoming aspects of Poland in this feature film. Venice winner “Bread and Salt” shows the tension that lies just below the surface of provincial town life. Tymek, a young pianist at the Warsaw Music Academy, returns to his provincial hometown for the summer holidays. In a place where it feels time stands still, Tymek spends his time at a kebab shop where other youths hang out. But he sees there is a growing conflict between the Arab workers at the kebab shop and the local boys – a conflict that will have tragic consequences. Subtle, convincing acting of young performers, strong direction and suitably created visual style makes this story, inspired by true events, a memorable cinematic experience. BREAD AND SALT CHLEB I SOL | 2022 | 100 min PRODUCTION: Jacek Bromski, Ewa Jastrzebska, Jerzy Kapuscinski – Munk Studio; Canal, Silesia Film Fund, KIVI, King House Michal Sadowski, EXA Studio CAST: Tymoteusz Bies, Jacek Bies, Dawid Piejko, Nikola Raczko SCREENPLAY: Damian Kocur CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tomasz Wozniczka EDITING: Alan Zejer by DAMIAN KOCUR Poland DUTCH PREMIERE
13 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA / IN FOCUS - SLOVAKIA Putting the audience face to face with the harsh realities of a corrupt and uncaring system, By a Sharp Knife asks how far a man is willing to go for justice and how far a father is willing to go for his child. Based on a true crime that shook an entire generation. When David Benko is killed in a neo-nazi attack his family is left heartbroken, none more so than his father. If the insurmountable grief of losing a son was not enough of a tragedy, the four perpetrators are quickly and suspiciously released from custody, and it seems like the brutal crime will go unpunished. Blinded by grief and outrage Ludovit throws himself into bringing his son’s killers to justice regardless of the cost or consequences. His single-minded pursuit quickly becomes an obsession that strains his relationship with his family, taking over his entire life. BY A SHARP KNIFE OSTRYM NOZOM | 2019 | 89 min PRODUCTION: Jakub Viktorin – Nutprodukcia; Nutprodukce CAST: Roman Luknar, Ela Lehotska, David Hartl, Ela Stefunkova SCREENPLAY: Teodor Kuh, Jakub Medvecky CINEMATOGRAPHY: Denisa Buranova EDITING: Pavel Hrdlicka by TEODOR KUHN Slovakia, Czech Republic DUTCH PREMIERE
14 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA Having made a name for herself with award-winning entries in renowned festivals, Anna Kazejak returns with a harshly intimate family drama set against an idyllic seaside campsite. With a lot of funny situations and surprising twists, audiences and juries worldwide have appreciated the film. Four characters will grapple with the ever-evolving nature of their roles and responsibilities during a long weekend trip as traditional norms clash against modern ideas. Maja and Hubert are the archetypal fortysomething Polish couple, complete with two pre-teen boys and all the tension expected in a family drama. They are joined by a friend, recently divorced Dawid, who has brought along his young son and his very young girlfriend. To complete this recipe for disaster, the first night ends with the four adults scrambling to piece together how to deal with serious life situations. The ensuing arguments shed light on ideological divides and throw into question long-held beliefs. FUCKING BORNHOLM FUCKING BORNHOLM | 2022 | 99 min PRODUCTION: Marta Lewandowska – Friends with Benefits Studio CAST: Agnieszka Grochowska, Maciej Stuhr, Grzegorz Damiecki, Jasmina Polak SCREENPLAY: Filip K. Kasperaszek, Anna Kazejak CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jakub Stolecki EDITING: Maciej Pawlinski by ANNA KAZEJAK Poland DUTCH PREMIERE
15 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA The opening film of the 70th Pula Film Festival simultaneously shows the audience a postcard of a widely-known festival and working town, as well as a collision of worlds in an impossible utopian love story. Mahir (38) has been living in the Hotel Pula, which has been turned into a refugee centre, for years. His days are the same, empty and monotonous, and the future is uncertain. One night he will meet a young local girl, Una, who will shake his world. Hope emerges, but is it enough for this seemingly impossible love story to survive the trials when Mahir’s history surfaces? The partial adaptation of the novel “Pula” by Vladimir Stojsavljevic, by the talented scriptwriter Ivan Turkovic Krnjak, is a touching drama about the clash of worlds, social exclusion, and charged emotions. Renowned Bosnian actor Ermin Bravo gave a remarkable performance in this memorable debut by A. Korovljev. HOTEL PULA HOTEL PULA | 2023 | 95 min PRODUCTION: Dijana Cetina Mladenovic – Kinematograf; Mike Downey CAST: Ermin Bravo, Nika Grbelja, Nika Ivancic, Petra B. Blaskovic SCREENPLAY: Ivan Turkovic Krnjak (based on the novel “Pula” by Vladimir Stojsavljevic) CINEMATOGRAPHY: Stanko Herceg EDITING: Ivana Fumic by ANDREJ KOROVLJEV Croatia DUTCH PREMIERE
16 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA Neighbouring couples in a building in Skopje embark on an exploration of unconventional erotic relationships. Academy Award nominee Milcho Manchevski returns with another piece of art - to provoke and surprise. Two marriages are on the rocks. A young, wealthy couple is on top of the world when a distant relative comes to live with them. Meanwhile, the neighbours below are middle-aged and feel left behind when the husband starts an affair with a woman at the local market, who sells a delicious Balkan dairy product called “kaymak”. Kaymak is a comedic love story that explores the eternal search for love while tackling more serious social issues such as surrogate parenting, infidelity, a woman’s role in family and society, human trafficking, and sexual liberty. The film travelled well from the East to the West and was warmly received by both the audience and juries. KAYMAK KAJMAK | 2022 | 106 min PRODUCTION: Jane Kortoshev – Banana Film, Scala Productions; Meta Film, N279 Entertainment, Jaako dobra produkcija CAST: Sara Klimoska, Kamka Tocinovski, Aleksandar Mikic, Simona Spirovska SCREENPLAY: Milcho Manchevski CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ulrik Boel Bentzen EDITING: Emiel Nuninga by MILCHO MANCHEVSKI North Macedonia, Denmark, Netherlands, Croatia DUTCH PREMIERE
17 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA / MEMORY IN CINEMA Awarded for the Most Popular Romanian Film of the Transilvania IFF 2023, Tudor Giurgiu’s new film reflects on the glories of revolution that have been sung throughout history, which often rarely match the reality. Libertate explores the chaos and confusion left in the wake of the 1989 Romanian revolution, following the horrific events in Sibiu and the hundreds of lives destroyed not by bullets, but by lies. Police officer Viorel finds his life turned upside down after he is falsely accused of being a terrorist following the sudden and bloody revolution. Thrust into a role he had no intention of playing, he must now try and escape a system determined to make him one of many scapegoats needed to mask both its heinous cruelty and gruesome incompetence. He must face brutal charges as the world crumbles around him. When the dust of revolution settles, everyone wants answers – but who can be trusted to give them? LIBERTATE LIBERTATE | 2022 | 109 min PRODUCTION: Oana Bujgoi Giurgiu, Tudor Giurgiu – Libra Films, Mythberg Films CAST: Alex Calangiu, Catalin Herlo, Ionut Caras, Iulian Postelnicu SCREENPLAY: Tudor Giurgiu, Cecilia Stefanescu CINEMATOGRAPHY: Alexandru Sterian EDITING: Reka Lemhenyi by TUDOR GIURGIU Romania, Hungary DUTCH PREMIERE
18 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA During the student demonstrations against the Milosevic regime, a boy has to confront his mother. Starring Jovan Ginic, who got awarded in Cannes and Sarajevo for his affecting portrayal. Belgrade, 1996. Stefan is 14 years old. Following the opposition party’s victory in the elections, Milosevic’s Socialist Party falsified the results. As the party decides to annul the vote, the country enters a turbulent period. Stefan’s mother Marklena is the spokesperson for the party. He will have to go through the most burdensome revolution of all. It is a political drama with a documentary approach and the personal background of the director who tried to ‘’dissect and diagnose the violence in Serbian society’’. LOST COUNTRY LOST COUNTRY | 2023 | 98 min PRODUCTION: Janja Kralj, Nadia Turincev, Omar El Kadi, Vladimir Perisic – KinoElektron, Easy Riders Films, Trilema; Red Lion, Kinorama, Arte France Cinema, Cosmodigital CAST: Jovan Ginic, Jasna Duricic, Dusko Valentic, Helena Buljan SCREENPLAY: Vladimir Perisic, Alice Winocour CINEMATOGRAPHY: Sarah Blum, Louise Botkay Courcier EDITING: Martial Salomon by VLADIMIR PERISIC Serbia, France, Luxemburg, Croatia DUTCH PREMIERE
19 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA The unexpected small miracles of everyday life in a captivating apocalyptic fable. An extraordinary dystopian film awarded at the Venice Film Festival. A troubled teenager, an anxious mother, and a recent widow see their day interrupted by a mysterious natural phenomenon. As their world descends into chaos, these three women struggle to find their place in life. Visually captivating, this apocalyptic drama is set in the near future where it seems time on this earth is about to run out, forcing the protagonists to stop and reconnect with themselves. The three stories run parallel over the course of a day, from an ordinary morning to mysterious explosions in the city, smoke and alarm, panic, and search for lost children. It’s an exciting and intimate character study with a dash of science fiction. ORDINARY FAILURES BEZNA SELHANI | 2022 | 85 min PRODUCTION: Marek Novak – Xova Film; Laokoon Filmgroup, Rosamont, Super film, Czech TV CAST: Tatjana Medvecka, Nora Klimesova, Beata Kanokova, Vica Kerekes SCREENPLAY: Klara Vlasakova CINEMATOGRAPHY: Mark Gyori by CRISTINA GROSAN Czech Republic, Italy, Hungary, Slovakia DUTCH PREMIERE
20 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA An Albanian neo-noir about a policeman with PTSD, who wants to bring order and justice to a city where crime and corruption are rife. Visually impressive, auditory explosive and marvellously performed by well-known actors such as Alban Ukaj. Sula, a veteran soldier of the Kosovo conflict, gets accepted into the police academy in Albania’s capital city, Tirana. His desire is to serve and protect the country. Devoted to his studies, he graduates with the rank of inspector. Sula suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic insomnia. Coming into direct contact with Tirana’s toxic and corrupt nature, his condition deteriorates, until he makes a shocking decision. A film that will keep you hooked. ONE OF US NJI PREJ NESH | 2022 | 107 min PRODUCTION: Sabina Kodra – Era Film; DMF Films, Iliria Film CAST: Alban Ukaj, Kasem Hoxha, Sebina Matlija, Alfred Trebicka SCREENPLAY: Ergys Meta CINEMATOGRAPHY: Shpetim Baca EDITING: Stefan Stabenow by ERGYS META Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo DUTCH PREMIERE
21 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA A compelling drama about a crisis amongst teenagers, created in an independent setting with the involvement of a group of youngsters – with, about, and for them. A brilliantly performed, deeply emotional film that successfully travelled to the biggest film festivals around the world. Two boys and a girl in a high school summer camp – a year later, following the suicide of one of the boys, the remaining two return to the same place. A film about remembrance and the struggle to process loss at a young age: this dramatic narrative is brought by exceptionally convincing acting by young actors. The film was awarded at the Just Film Tallinn for “speaking to its audience with sincerity, skilfully opening a dialogue on a very difficult topic; using an experimental approach, which seduces its audience into following the story with great skill and care”. SUMMER TO COME JOVO NYAR | 2022 | 73 min PRODUCTION: Viktoria Petranyi – Proton Cinema CAST: Orsolya Bukovszky, Agoston Liber, Daniel Gyorgy Brezovszky SCREENPLAY: Gyorgy Mor Karpati CINEMATOGRAPHY: Gergely Palos EDITING: Daniel Tokar by GYORGY MOR KARPATI Hungary DUTCH PREMIERE
22 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA / IN FOCUS – SLOVAKIA A compelling love story about guilt, love, and cruel punishment that has won over 40 accolades worldwide. It speaks of the patriarchal position of men in the village of Piargy, a symbol of a modern Sodom and Gomorrah. Great performances and strong direction. At its core a family melodrama, The Ballad of Piargy explores the tumultuous life of a woman in a small village clinging to tradition and dogma in a world on the brink of World War Two. Religion, tradition, and family - how often have these been held up to justify abuse, oppression, and violence? Told retroactively through the eyes of the last survivor of an avalanche that destroys the entire village, the film follows Julisa, a young woman who has just married the eldest son of a wealthy landowner. While the match may seem ideal, the Rohac family’s patriarch quickly overshadows the idyllic marriage. THE BALLAD OF PIARGY PIARGY | 2022 | 100 min PRODUCTION: Silvia Panakova, Erik Panak – ARINA; i/o post, Story Scope, Radio and Television Slovakia CAST: Judit Bardos, Attila Mokos, Daniel Fischer, Jana Kvantikova SCREENPLAY: Ivo Trajkov, Jana Skorepová CINEMATOGRAPHY: Peter Bencsik EDITING: Michal Reich by IVO TRAJKOV Slovakia, North Macedonia, Czech Republic DUTCH PREMIERE
23 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA Asja, a 40-year-old woman from Sarajevo, ends up spending her Saturday at a blind dating event. Asja, a 40-year-old single woman, lives in Sarajevo. In order to meet new people, she ends up spending her Saturday at an awkward speed dating event. She’s matched with Zoran, a 43-year-old banker. A couple seems like they’re good for each other until she finds they were once on opposite sides of the battlefield. Now, they both must relive the pain in their search for forgiveness. Based on a true incident that happened to Elma Tataragic, the co-writer of the film, who was injured during the siege of Sarajevo and later, during her studies accidentally met “the” man. A compelling take on a city still processing the effects of war and the possibility of moving on. THE HAPPIEST MAN IN THE WORLD NAJSREKJNIOT CHOVEK NA SVETOT | 2022 | 95 min PRODUCTION: Labina Mitevska – Sisters and Brother Mitevski; Entre chien et loup, Vertigo, Frau Film, Terminal 3, SCCA/pro.ba CAST: Jelena Kordic Kuret, Adnan Omerovic, Labina Mitevska, Ana Kostovska SCREENPLAY: Elma Tataragic, Teona Strugar Mitevska CINEMATOGRAPHY: Virginie Saint Martin EDITING: Per K. Kirkegaard by TEONA STRUGAR MITEVSKA North Macedonia, Denmark, Belgium, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
24 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA / MEMORY IN CINEMA Touching, visually stunning, multilayered film by Kosovar-Swiss director Fisnik Maxville linked to his personal experience and inspired by thousands of true stories. A compelling, awarded drama in which secrets from the past emerge along with the excavated bodies. After fleeing Kosovo during the 1998/99 war and years of exile in Geneva, Remo returns to his country. He must help his cousin Una with the exhumation of a mass grave, where most of their family members were buried during the war. But the bodies reveal dark family secrets that will make Remo and Una question their past and future. A quest for truth in a place that only knows survival. The Land Within slowly unveils its mysteries as well as Kosovo’s traditions, culture, conflicts, and traumas. Best First Feature Film at the Tallinn Black Nights FF, with brave performances of leading actors. THE LAND WITHIN THE LAND WITHIN | 2022 | 118 min PRODUCTION: Britta Rindelaub, Thomas Reichlin – Alva Film; Valon Bajgora, Yll Uka – Ikone Studio; RTS Radio Television Suisse CAST: Luana Bajrami, Florist Bajgora, Luan Jaha, Arta Musa SCREENPLAY: Fisnik Maxville CINEMATOGRAPHY: Yann Maritaud EDITING: Kostas Makrinos by FISNIK MAXVILLE Switzerland, Kosovo DUTCH PREMIERE
25 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA The suspenseful drama about a family living in today’s Slovenia, where locals project the bitterness of their everyday life onto innocent “others”. Will Slovenian and Bosnian childhood friends reconnect, and can sanity prevail? A man suffering memory loss tries to reconnect with his past, which appears to hold some unpleasant truths. Rok awakes in the hospital, where he ends up unconscious due to an unfortunate incident. He has no memory of his girlfriend, job, or the apartment he lives in. All he remembers is his hometown and the home he shared with his mother and younger brother. Shortly after returning to the neighbourhood, Rok notices he is no longer welcome. Slowly, he manages to piece together a mosaic of memories, realising how problematic his past was. His younger brother is following the same path. Rok accepts responsibility for the first time in his life; he wants to end the bad family history and prevent it from repeating itself. WAKE ME ZBUDI ME | 2022 | 85 min PRODUCTION: Danijel Hocevar, Zala Opara – Vertigo; Jaka Produkcija, Living Pictures CAST: Jure Henigman, Timon Sturbej, Natasa Barbara Gracner, Ziva Selan SCREENPLAY: Marko Santic, Goran Vojnovic, Sara Hribar CINEMATOGRAPHY: Ivan Zadro EDITING: Vladimir Gojun by MARKO SANTIC Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia DUTCH PREMIERE
26 CURRENT, RELEVANT CINEMA With documentary-like force, this strong social thriller is a powerful drama full of comic elements and anger. It exposes all the cruelty and horror of corruption and capitalism. Jasna Djuricic, an actor awarded by the European Film Academy and known from the film Quo Vadis Aida?, performs a brilliant role as a cold-blooded businesswoman who protects the interests of her swindler boss. A raw, uncompromising film about the mafia construction business in Serbia, which thrives on exploiting illegal workers. Morally questionable Miki and his deputy Lidija do everything to realise a wicked project to steal money from the development fund. Their plans take an unexpected turn when their brutally exploited workers decide to take matters into their own hands. In the blink of an eye, the construction site becomes the scene of a life-and-death struggle. The powerful acting performances and strong direction give a memorable experience to the audience. WORKING CLASS HEROES HEROJI RADNICKE KLASE | 2022 | 85 min PRODUCTION: Milos Pusic – Altertise CAST: Jasna Djuricic, Boris Isakovic, Predrag Momcilovic, Stefan Beronja SCREENPLAY: Dusan Spasojevic, Ivan Knezevic, Milos Pusic CINEMATOGRAPHY: Aleksandar Ramadanovic EDITING: Ivan Knezevic, Milos Pusic by MILOS PUSIC Serbia
27 FAMILY FILM THE DIARY OF PAULINA P. 25
28 FAMILY FILM Children’s funny, playful film about the imaginative adventures of the Croatian kid’s literature heroine. Set in the real world, with a touch of “magic”. This is a story about Paulina P., a self-confident and witty third-grader who always speaks her mind and finds solutions. In her world, everything is possible, and we follow her adventures and challenges in class and at home. Based on a famous children’s book, Paulina’s Diary, in which she talks about friendship, first love and family issues through comic situations. An absolute comedy for today’s kids, with elements of fantasy and animation that emphasise children’s imagination. THE DIARY OF PAULINA P. DNEVNIK PAULINE P. | 2023 | 96 min PRODUCTION: Jure Busic – Jaka produkcija CAST: Katja Matkovic, Borko Peric, Judita Frankovic Brdar, Igor Kovac SCREENPLAY: Dora Delbianco, Ivan Turkovic Krnjak (based on Sanja Polak’s novel) CINEMATOGRAPHY: Dragan Markovic Markoni EDITING: Slaven Zecevic by NEVEN HITREC Croatia DUTCH PREMIERE AGE: 7+
29 OLD GOLD – FORBIDDEN FILM CLASSIC THE CREMATOR 27
30 OLD GOLD – CLASSIC / FORBIDDEN FILM A cult film that was forbidden during the Communist regime. Considered one of the greatest films ever made in Czechoslovakia. This black comedy is set in Central Europe during World War II and revolves around a demented cremator who believes cremation relieves earthly suffering and sets out to save the world. Czechoslovak New Wave director Juraj Herz based his grotesque psychological horror masterpiece on the perspective of its deranged protagonist. Karel Kopfrkingl, brilliantly played by Rudolf Hrusinsky, starts as a model father and dedicated employee of a Prague crematorium and turns into a man willing to sacrifice everything, including his closest family, for the sake of a degenerate ideology. The film has a unique visual style developed by its cinematographer Stanislav Milota, who succeeds in moulding the visual and literary components into a new unity, taking the genre of the film onto a philosophical level. THE CREMATOR SPALOVAC MRTVOL | 1969 | 97 min PRODUCTION: Ladislav Hanu – Filmove studio Barrandov, Sebor CAST: Rudolf Hrusinsky, Vlasta Chramostova, Jana Stehnova, Milos Vognic SCREENPLAY: Ladislav Fuks, Juraj Herz CINEMATOGRAPHY: Stanislav Milota EDITING: Jaromir Janacek by JURAJ HERZ Czechoslovakia DUTCH PREMIERE (of the digitally restored version)
31 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES ALL MEN BECOME BROTHERS AWOHALI - THE EAGLE DESERTERS DIVAS EL SHATT – A BLUEPRINT FOR UTOPIA LOVE IS NOT AN ORANGE KING LEAR: HOW WE LOOKED FOR LOVE DURING THE WAR SCENES WITH MY FATHER THE CARS WE DROVE INTO CAPITALISM THE INVESTIGATOR 29
32 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES / IN FOCUS - SLOVAKIA Even 30 years after his death, Alexander Dubcek continues to stir significant debate. Who was the man who became “the icon of socialism with a human face”? The film premiered at Karlovy Vary Film Festival. As a boy, he was kidnapped by a camel, hunted bears in the Tatra Mountains, and aspired to become president of Czechoslovakia after 1989. The figure of the politician Alexander Dubcek resonates not only in Czechia and Slovakia but also in Turkey and Kyrgyzstan. A contradictory figure in Czechoslovak history, the man who symbolised hope during the Prague Spring and rose to the highest echelons of political power, only to be later removed from office. Several decades after his tragic death, Dubcek’s political work is remembered. ALL MEN BECOME BROTHERS VSETCI LUDIA BUDU BRATIA | 2023 | 116 PRODUCTION: Robert Kirchhoff – Atelier.doc, Jiri Konecny – Endorfilm; Radio and Television of Slovakia, Czech Television, Plaftik, Slovak Film Institute CAST: Umberto Eco, Romano Prodi, Pavel Kohout, Karel Vachek SCREENPLAY: Robert Kirchhoff CINEMATOGRAPHY: Juraj Chlpik EDITING: Jana Vlckova, Marek Sulik DUTCH PREMIERE by ROBERT KIRCHHOFF Slovakia, Czech Republic
33 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES / IN FOCUS - SLOVAKIA Did you ever play a game as a child impersonating ‘Cowboys’ and ‘Indians’? This serious yet humorous tale brings us a real-life story from one Slovak village. A group of adults took over the culture and lifestyle of Native Americans. We’ve all heard of Native Americans. But did you know that we also have ‘Indian’ tribes in Europe? Even in Slovakia. The reasons for their escape to an alternative reality are revealed through the chief of the tribe – Miki. At first glance, he is an extravagant and free-spirited man with feathers on his head who says that he doesn’t want to be just another sheep, but an eagle. By exposing his various roles as a father, a worker or an ‘Indian’, Miki guides us towards understanding his actions and the motives of the tribe. Although he sometimes does things like “normopaths” do and the rest of the ordinary world living in capitalism, he exemplifies how inner freedom and a sense of happiness are just choices. AWOHALI – THE EAGLE AWOHALI | 2021 | 30 min PRODUCTION: Tereza Tokarova – VSMU Bratislava CAST: Lubomir Mikler, Marek Baksi, Norbert Egresi CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jaroslav Kucharik EDITING: Barbora Bubelova SOUND: Igor Jedinak by DOMINIKA KOVACOVA Slovakia DUTCH PREMIERE
34 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES / MEMORY IN CINEMA Winner of the Jihlava FF and awarded by the audience at ZagrebDox, this poignant film is an emotional mosaic of memories composed of letters and postcards that bear witness to the war experience of high school students in Mostar. The director, who was born in Mostar and now based in Zagreb, looks back at his generation’s interrupted youth. “I had many friends before the war; many of them are now dead,” read one of the letters sent to the director by his schoolmates after fleeing wartime Mostar in the 90s. The letters that arrived at his Zagreb address from refugee camps scattered throughout Europe bear witness to the horror of war, separation, interrupted lives, and forced decisions, but also to the most challenging question that can be asked amid war: stay or run? Interspersed with animation by Marko Tadic that connects past and present, this documentary is a moving dedication to all deserters. DESERTERS DEZERTERI | 2022 | 45 min PRODUCTION: Damir Markovina – ADU Zagreb CAST: Rea Hadziosmanovic, Gabrijela Kasapovic, Boris Miletic, Marko Tomas CINEMATOGRAPHY: Kresimir Stulina EDITING: Dora Slakoper SOUND: Miroslav Piskulic DUTCH PREMIERE by DAMIR MARKOVINA Croatia
35 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES An utterly captivating, multiple award-winning, authentic documentary about misfit girls from a “second chance high school” in Budapest. Szani, Tina, and Emese – or as they call themselves, the Divas – are three twentyyear-old girls who can talk for hours about makeup, clothes or profile pictures. Mate, a young director, enters the scene, following them with his camera until their long-awaited graduation, hoping to find out what lies behind their perfect makeup. As he gets to know these complex, troubled, vibrant individuals, he discovers the loyalty that bonds them together, and bravery that carries them through life’s trials. Over time, they learn from each other, all taking steps towards adulthood. A millennial generation caught on camera. DIVAS DIVAK | 2021 | 80 min PRODUCTION: Borbala Csukas – Makabor Studio; HBO Europe CAST: Magdali Alexandra, Stumpf Emese, Tordai Tunde SCREENPLAY: Eszter Angyalosy, Pal Gaspar Gelleri, Mate Korosi, Alexandra Lang EDITING: Alexandra Lang MUSIC: Mark Bartha by MATE KOROSI Hungary DUTCH PREMIERE
36 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES / MEMORY IN CINEMA A fascinating, rarely known and deeply humane story from Croatia’s past. This important documentary remarkably combines archival material and living witnesses from the former Yugoslav refugee camp in the middle of the Egyptian desert. A new documentary from one of the programmers of the IFFR Rotterdam. Frozen and starved people on boats in the Mediterranean Sea fleeing from war. Familiar scenes that we are used to seeing in the news. But the year is 1944, and the refugees are travelling from Europe to Africa. After the Italian capitulation, and before the arrival of German army, 28 000 Dalmatian Croats left their homes to live for two years under tents in the Egyptian desert, in a kind of communist model village that was formed to show the Allies how the new Tito’s Yugoslavia will look like when the war ends. This is a story about them. The film is dedicated to Karlo Pansini, the director’s grandfather, who was one of the three doctors in El Shatt, a settlement near the Suez Canal. EL SHATT – A BLUEPRINT FOR UTOPIA EL SHATT – NACRT ZA UTOPIJU | 2023 | 96 min PRODUCTION: Tibor Keser – Kompot; Kino Klub Split, Horopter SCREENPLAY: Ivan Ramljak CINEMATOGRAPHY: Boris Poljak EDITING: Jelena Maksimovic SOUND: Vladimir Zivkovic by IVAN RAMLJAK Croatia, Serbia DUTCH PREMIERE
37 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES / MEMORY IN CINEMA An impressive, award-winning film that dives into the privacy of thousands of Moldovan families in the period when the Soviet Union fell apart. Through archive footage, the director shows the impact of the separation of mothers and their children, as women moved abroad to work and provide for their families. When Moldova gained independence in the early ‘90s, women left the country in large numbers to work abroad and provide for their families. They sent home boxes filled with gifts and food; in return, their children would send videotapes. The videos allowed the mothers to watch the lives of their children and see how they were growing up without a parent. The film uses private archives to give an intimate glimpse into a generation of mothers and children torn apart in order to survive as their country transitions from communism to capitalism. LOVE IS NOT AN ORANGE LOVE IS NOT AN ORANGE | 2022 | 73 min PRODUCTION: Hanne Phlypo – Clin d’oeil; Basalt Film, Alegria Productions, Altfilm CAST: Adriana Bitca, Alina Echimenco, Ecaterina Suricov, Olesea Svecla SCREENPLAY: Otilia Babara EDITING: Pierpaolo Filomeno SOUND: Mark Glynne by OTILIA BABARA Moldova, France, Netherlands, Belgium DUTCH PREMIERE
38 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES / UKRAINE - A NEW PERSPECTIVE After thousands of Ukrainians find refuge in western Ukraine when Russia launches its invasion, a local director decides to involve displaced people to bring his dream to life - staging the play King Lear. On February 24, 2022, the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine began. Millions of Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes, and many took refuge in Uzhhorod, a small city bordering four EU countries. Vyacheslav Yehorov, a local activist who works with his wife to help displaced people, realises his long-held dream of staging Shakespeare’s King Lear. The play allows people who were teachers, artists, engineers, and housewives to adapt to a new reality. This intense, compelling human drama, well-directed, gives us a new angle of the everyday life of the Ukrainian war reality. KING LEAR: HOW WE LOOKED FOR LOVE DURING THE WAR KOROL’LIR: YAK MY SHUKALY LYUBOV PID CHAS VIYNY | 2023 | 93 min PRODUCTION: Polina Herman – UP UA Studio SCREENPLAY: Vyacheslav Yehorov CINEMATOGRAPHY: Dmytro Hreshko, Yurii Hotra, Mykhailo Pozheha, Rostyslav Zabolotnyi EDITING: Victor Malyarenko MUSIC: Anton Dehtiarov by DMYTRO HRESHKO Ukraine DUTCH PREMIERE
39 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES / MEMORY IN CINEMA This personal and original documentary by the Dutch-Croatian director Biserka Suran deals with her father’s memories of his country of origin – Yugoslavia. After premiering at IDFA, the film won the best documentary prize at Trieste FF. The filmmaker invites her father to join her on a symbolic journey through an old factory, reviving scenes and memories from their native country. In her directorial debut, Biserka Suran enters into a conversation with her father about their shared past, the history of the Balkans, and what it all means for their identity. An empty factory is transformed into cinematic sets, which provide a background to conversations they’ve never had before. Together, they explore their experiences and ideas around nationality and identity, Europe as an idea and construct, and their dreams and regrets. The result is an inspiring conversation that many viewers would like to have with their parents. SCENES WITH MY FATHER SCENES MET MIJN VADER | 2022 | 47 min PRODUCTION: Biserka Suran – Biser Productions CINEMATOGRAPHY: Abel van Dijk EDITING: Nina Graafland SOUND: Jacob Oostra, Brandon Grotzinger MUSIC: Eren Onsoy by BISERKA SURAN Netherlands, Croatia
40 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES / MEMORY IN CINEMA Happy memories, true love, and strange anecdotes, combined with unique archive footage, make this film a fascinating study of socialist car culture past and present. Duo Bogdanov-Missirkov and the production company Agitprop are well-known for making well-researched, often humorous and playfully lucid documentaries. A cinematic, character-driven insight into what it meant to produce and to own a car in communist times: the socialist propaganda dreams and the hard reality of living that dream. This film looks at the fascinating history of socialist automobiles based on select accounts which portray the events and hardships of the time with a touch of humour. We meet a young woman who was inspired by pin-up models, a couple who drove to freedom in West Germany but had to abandon their beloved car on the last leg of their journey, a former racing champion and automobile fanatic who turned his old banger into a luxury vehicle, and many more. THE CARS WE DROVE INTO CAPITALISM THE CARS WE DROVE INTO CAPITALISM | 2021 | 93 min PRODUCTION: Martichka Bozhilova – AGITPROP; Hulahop, Saxonia Entertainment, Danish Documentary Production, Endorfilm SCREENPLAY: Georgi Bogdanov, Boris Missirkov CINEMATOGRAPHY: Georgi Bogdanov, Boris Missirkov EDITING: Emil Granicharov, Jacob Thuessen SOUND: Veselin Zografov by GEORGI BOGDANOV, BORIS MISSIRKOV Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany DUTCH PREMIERE
41 DOCUMENTARIES OPEN DEBATES What is the work of a war crime investigator? Vladimír Dzuro, the main character of this documentary, is the only Czech investigator to have worked for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The film is inspired by Vladimir Dzuro’s book “The Investigator – Demons of the Balkan War”. The protagonist’s task was to collect evidence against war criminals and perpetrators of ethnic cleansing. His two most significant cases were the Ovcara massacre, linked to back then Vukovar’s Mayor Slavko Dokmanovic and committed by the warlord Zeljko Raznatovic, known as Arkan, and as well as the ethnic cleansing in northwestern Bosnia. What does the Balkans look like today, 25 years after the conflict? What happened to the people who still live in those places, and what about their memories? And most importantly, does “Hague justice” have any meaning and significance for those who went through the worst? THE INVESTIGATOR VYSETROVATEL | 2022 | 74 min PRODUCTION: Hana Blaha Silarova – Frame Films; Restart, HRT, CzechTV, Al Jazeera Balkans IDEA: Martina Santava SCREENPLAY: Viktor Portel CINEMATOGRAPHY: Simon Dvoracek EDITING: Vladimir Gojun by VIKTOR PORTEL Czech Republic, Croatia DUTCH PREMIERE
42 SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES CRISS CROSS FRAN AND VERKA; OR A USUAL DAY IN AN ABANDONED VILLAGE GRANNY’S SEXUAL LIFE LIQUID BREAD SUGAR FREE TRUTH WAKING UP IN SILENCE Film Marathon is a new concept in which we merge two components, Short Films, Big Stories, and New Talents Competition, into whole-day screenings of short films. This part is housed in the new Boutique Cinema of The Filmhuis Den Haag. The room offers a different experience than a standard cinema thanks to the stateof-the-art projection and the furnishings with comfortable velvet lounge chairs and benches. Cushions, rugs, and tables complete the feeling of a living room. Due to its intimate atmosphere, this unique space is ideally suited as a place where young aspiring filmmakers can watch these short films and enter into dialogue with each other and the filmmakers. The movies are shown in two-hour cycles throughout the day on weekends. Afterwards, the viewers will also vote for the winner of the New Talents Competition. 40
43 SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES / IN FOCUS - SLOVAKIA A humorous tale about friendship and betrayal. Rarely do we see embroidery used as inspiration for a film. Minimalist in style and creative in its idea, it’s a real gem of a film. A visual illustration of the old folk saying: “A friend in need is a friend indeed”. This short, animated fable is both a children’s film with a moral, and an attractive film for adults thanks to its artistic style, combining animation with cross stitch embroidery and traditional motifs. CRISS CROSS KRIZOM KRAZOM | 2023 | 8 min PRODUCTION: Simona Hrusovska, Veronika Kocourkova – Super film; MAUR film SCREENPLAY: Barbora Nemeth, Nina Rybarova ANIMATION: Marek Jasan, Jan Bohuslav, Eva Dobuseva, Charlie Brault EDITING: Michal Kondrla, Oliver Bahul SOUND: Branislav Laho by NINA RYBAROVA, TOMAS RYBAR Slovakia, Czech Republic DUTCH PREMIERE
44 SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES This poignant film, which premiered at Sarajevo Film Festival, looks at the lives of two elderly individuals in a remote village in Kosovo and brilliantly depicts a forgotten lifestyle, a microhistory of its kind. Fran and Verka are the sole inhabitants of Vernakolle - where they first met many years ago, got married and have been living ever since. After the 1999 war in Kosovo, it all changed. Everyone but Fran and Verka left the village. Their story is a testament to the unbreakable bonds that tie us to what we call home and where we belong. FRAN AND VERKA; OR A USUAL DAY IN AN ABANDONED VILLAGE FRAN AND VERKA; OR A USUAL DAY IN AN ABANDONED VILLAGE | 2023 | 14 min PRODUCTION: Aurela Kadriu – Can and Cam SCREENPLAY & EDITING: Sovran Nrecaj CINEMATOGRAPHY: Besim Ugzmajli SOUND: Pellumb Ballata MUSIC: J.S. Bach (played on piano by Njomza Kastrati) by SOVRAN NRECAJ Kosovo DUTCH PREMIERE
45 SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES / MEMORY IN CINEMA Best Short Film at the European Academy Awards 2022. Four elderly women recall their lives when they were young, a time when the relationships between men and women were very different. A compelling, humorous and serious animation reflects on grandmothers’ youth and the memories of their intimate life in the first half of the 20th century in Slovenia. It’s a moving testimony about the sex lives of women, about their violent husbands and abusive relationships. The film is based on the equally compelling anonymous testimonies of women published in Milena Miklavcic’s book “Fire, Ass and Snakes Are Not for Toys”. Individual images of pain and suffering, fear and resignation to fate come to life in a humorous animation, using imaginative gestures to overcome old taboos. GRANNY’S SEXUAL LIFE BABICINO SEKSUALNO ZIVLJENJE | 2021 | 13 min PRODUCTION: Bostjan Virc – Studio Virc; Ikki Films CAST: Doroteja Nadrah, Jure Henigman, Bozena Zabret, Mara Vilar SCREENPLAY: Urska Djukic, Maria Bohr ANIMATION: Emilie Pigeard EDITING: Urska Djukic by URSKA DJUKIC, EMILIE PIGEARD Slovenia, France
46 SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES / IN FOCUS – SLOVAKIA A three-generation family in southern Slovakia unveils its secrets! A humorous film with a Cannes premiere that tackles difficult topics from a bright, fresh perspective. In the south of Slovakia, on hot summer days, a family of three generations meets under one roof. An unexpected visit from Zoja, the granddaughter, stirs up the peaceful routine. Within the quiet presence of God and alcohol, the family unravels its tragicomical past and a few (almost) unshared memories. LIQUID BREAD CHLIEB NAS KAZDODENNY | 2022 | 26 PRODUCTION: Rosa Pokorna – Academy of Performing Arts, Bratislava CAST: Milka Zimkova, Karol Calik, Ondrej Koval, Viktoria Suplatova SCREENPLAY: Alica Bednarikova, Diana Dzurillova CINEMATOGRAPHY: Roman Supej EDITING: Michal Rodom by ALICA BEDNARIKOVA Slovakia DUTCH PREMIERE
47 BEST DOKUMENTARY PURE MAGIC International Film Festival 2022 O F Y O U R B O D Y I S A N I N V E S T M E N T B U T Y O U G E T SOMETHING IN RETURN THAT IS PRICELESS SMART, RAGUŽ & BARBARIĆ DESIGN, MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES / ENFF ON TOUR Taking care of your body is an investment, but what you get in return is priceless. A short documentary about having extremely high blood sugar, awarded at Pure Magic International Film Festival and Indie Movies Spark FF. Sugar Free is an intimate story of Dennis, a man struggling with type 2 diabetes. Through a lighthearted lens, viewers will witness the challenges Dennis faces in managing his illness and the impact it has on his life and relationships. Despite the seriousness of his situation, Dennis finds humour in his journey and shares his story with honesty and vulnerability. SUGAR FREE SUIKERVRIJ | 2022 | 30 min PRODUCTION: Jasmina Bilic, Amsterdam Film School CAST: Dennis Haster, Arie Haster CINEMATOGRAPHY: Jasmina Bilic, Inge van Dijck EDITING: Jasmina Bilic, Srdjan Fink, Sergej Bibic SOUND: Zorko Opacic by JASMINA BILIC Netherlands
48 SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES A realistic story on press freedom and one courageous journalist who risks her life to tell the truth. The winner of the renowned Audience Award at the Max Ophuls Film Festival. Jelena is a photojournalist on an investigative editorial team in Belgrade that campaigns for basic democratic rights. Her work is her passion, but the atmosphere around her has been threatening for some time and she is increasingly becoming a target of right-wing extremist groups. After an attack at the office and threats to her daughter, Jelena decides to leave the country for the time being. She continues to pursue her vocation in Germany, but soon she experiences strong hostility even in her new home. The film draws attention to the acute situation of press freedom in the world, since every week at least one journalist dies because of their job. TRUTH ISTINA | 2023 | 29 min PRODUCTION: Christian Siee – Hamburg Media School; Bavarian Broadcasting CAST: Nika Rozman, Milica Vuksanovic, Elizabeta Djorevska, Zeljko Marovic SCREENPLAY: David M. Lorenz CINEMATOGRAPHY: Andre Stahlmann EDITING: Michael Munch by TAMARA DENIC Germany, Serbia DUTCH PREMIERE
49 SHORT FILMS, BIG STORIES / UKRAINE - A NEW PERSPECTIVE Ukrainian children are confronted with their past as they explore their new home in Germany: a former military barracks. The old German military barracks now serves as a refugee camp for people from Ukraine. The film follows the children on their journey, where their own history intertwines with that of the barracks. Through the eyes of its young protagonists as new arrivals in Germany, the documentary shows a moment between past and future, war and silence, departure and arrival. WAKING UP IN SILENCE PROKYDAYUCHYSʹ U TYSHI | 2023 | 18 min PRODUCTION: Mila Zhluktenko, Daniel Asadi Faezi – Lotas Film; Babylon’13 SCREENPLAY: Mila Zhluktenko, Daniel Asadi Faezi CINEMATOGRAPHY: Tobias Blickle EDITING: Mila Zhluktenko, Daniel Asadi Faezi MUSIC: Anton Baibakov, Dewey Martino by MILA ZHLUKTENKO, DANIEL ASADI FAEZI Germany, Ukraine DUTCH PREMIERE
50 The New Talents Competition is back with our fourth edition! We invited young filmmakers from Eastern and Southern Europe to send us their graduating or debut films to compete for an Audience Award (€1000). Yet again we were impressed by the emerging directors’ curiosity towards the world. In these changing and often dire times the young makers feel it like no one else. Through the lens of the camera and their personal film languages, these artists interact with the world, question their surroundings, reflect on their past and present lives, and dream about what can and should be different. This year we selected 10 films from Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania and Croatia. The personal essay film The Trip takes us back to 1975 Lithuania where the fishermen kiss their wives goodbye as they prepare for their long journey. Still, thousands of kilometres away, they are followed by the shadows of the Iron Curtain. Travelling from Sarajevo to Dayton, Ohio, Hotel Hope Phantom shows the artist, equipped with a camera, roaming the same rooms and hallways where in 1995 the leaders of Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia negotiated a peace agreement, ending the violent and bloody years in Bosnia & Herzegovina, shaping the future of the artist and generations to come. The extreme emotions and experience of her own daughter wanting to die, and the birth of a new love are held in their complexity and nuances through the intimate and honest testimony of Els in Falling. The ever-increasing isolation within these precarious and hyper-connected times, force the director of the personal documentary Avitaminosis, to take a job at a fraudulent call centre selling vitamins that promise magical results. While suffering from a vitamin deficiency herself, she turns the camera inward in the search for healing and love. Divided in three short stories, an 8-year-old girl guides us through feelings of awe, loneliness, curiosity and love. The three directors pay homage to the wisdom of children, to the ocean and to cinema itself in their sensitive and experimental film Tiny Summer Trilogy. The visually captivating and intimate Big Phat Party examines the fragile structures of friendship and how its bonds can fall apart. The stylized camera brings the sensitivities of the characters in a nuanced way to the foreground. Until All Is Resolved brings humour to an otherwise superficial encounter. The characters try to communicate, while their manners are tested. The dreamy characters and supposedly non-existent countries in the fairytale drama The Land of Aliens grasp our ever-changing and violent world through a beautifully constructed and visually capturing lens. NEW TALENTS COMPETITION 48