Jan 69

The Magpie in the Wisp(cs)

In the film, the creative forces of personalities from three spheres of art collide. The subtitle "The Game of Love and Hate" refers to the motivation of an old Czech medieval satire, the theme belongs to Antonín Přidal, an expert on this subject. His collaboration with Juraj Herz created a collage of past and present, an updated, sharp satire and a parable about the clash of human qualities that could not but end up in the vault. The music of the Prague Selection - Michael Kocáb and Michal Pavlíček - also contributed to the film's offensive provocativeness - the film was one of the reasons for their complete move to the underground. The dancing chorus of medieval citizens resembles more of a jumble of long-haired maniacs, the edge of a contemporary dump intrudes into the space of a medieval marketplace, and the characters oscillate between the past and the present, whether in their appearance, symbolism or behaviour.

Klec(cs)

A successful scientist dares to openly and forcefully criticize the unproductive activities of the institute in which he works. He draws attention to outdated procedures and also to the fact that scientific work must not fall into the abyss of mediocrity and everyday grayness, so typical of the entire society. Will his career withstand this situation?

Larks on a String(cs)

In post-WWII Communist Czechoslovakia, several characters considered bourgeois are sentenced to work in a junkyard for rehabilitation. Among them is a young man who pines for a female convict.

The Ear(cs)

Upon returning home from an official party, a Czech government official and his wife discover it bugged and surveilled by mysterious figures, driving them to paranoia and intensifying their discontents with one another.

Funeral Ceremony(cs)

Matylda, who lives in the Czech countryside, is trying to arrange burial plans for her dying husband, Jan. While Matylda hopes to have a funeral for Jan in the small town where they once lived, there are complications. Years earlier, Jan spoke out against the Communist government and was consequently expelled from the town. When Matylda fails to convince a local politician to allow the ceremony, she uses her husband's funeral as a public show of dissent.

The Uninvited Guest(cs)

A run-of-the-mill family is terrorized by strangers dressed in military garb who invade their private realm.

Král Ubu(cs)

A television recording of a theatrical production of Alfred Jarry's absurd drama about the gluttonous, gluttonous, compulsive and unscrupulous Father Ubo, who, with the generous advice of his ambitious wife, gets rid of the Polish king and seizes his throne. He establishes a reign of terror in which he only cares about his own benefit, so it is not surprising that the people rebel against him. The recording was made at the end of July 1968 and, thanks to a copy saved from destruction during the normalization period, was first published in 1990.

The Borstal(cs)

A young teacher is sent to a rural reform school, where he is faced with brutality of the inmates.

Squandered Sunday(cs)

A day in the life of Arnošt, a soldier staying in Josefov. A sense of desperation permeates the environment as well as the mind of the protagonist. It is sunday, and saturday left just a hangover. Days go by, nothing changes. A metaphor for the political situation in the Czech lands at a time where depicting a soldier as a drunk was considered out of place to say the least.

The Seventh Day, the Eighth Night(cs)

An allegory set in an archetypal Czech village, it tells the story of what happens when a series of mysterious events take place, including the disappearance of the station master. While everything has a rational explanation, collective paranoia takes over and everyone's worst instincts are unleashed. Interrogations, disenfranchisement, and the search for scapegoats ultimately lead to murder. The movie was completed in 1969, but it was banned and not released till 1990, Evald Schorm who died in 1988 never saw it completed.

Renacidos: El Padre Pío cambió sus vidas(es)

José María Zavala returns to directing to produce the sequel to the feature film The Mystery of Padre Pío. On this occasion he will once again address the life of Saint Pio de Pieltrecina, a priest known for his miraculous gifts, both in life and post mortem. However, this second part is more focused on testimonials and more specific cases. Zavala will delve into the experience of 24 people, who, like him, were blessed by the religious, and who, according to what they say, as a result of that moment, their lives changed completely.

Dude Perfect Trick Shots: Untold Stories(en)

Recognized as one of the most influential and most watched content creators in the world, Dude Perfect is a group of 5 best friends who have given a whole new meaning to the term sports entertainment. Now, for the first time ever, they are telling never before told stories behind 10 of their favorite trick shots. This behind-the-scenes look includes special, exclusive commentary from Dude Perfect as well as an all-new, never-before-seen trick shot.

Witness Theater(en)

Aron is 88 years old, Eazek is 94 and Claudine is 89. Over seventy years ago, although they lost their entire families, they survived the holocaust and resettled in New York City. Now they are sharing their stories in a unique program led by a drama therapist with high-school students in Brooklyn. The hope is that this sharing will sensitize the students and give some closure to the adult survivors after all these years. The Witness Theater workshop they participate in culminates in the performance of a play based on Survivor stories.

Pariah: The Lives and Deaths of Sonny Liston(en)

Overcoming the seemingly insurmountable odds that life threw his way, Liston became heavyweight champion of the world when he knocked out Floyd Patterson in 1962. Eight years later, he died but friends questioned the cause of his death.

One Year in Germany(en)

Four young people from Tanzania and Cameroon complete a year of weltwärts voluntary service in Germany. For each of them, it is their first visit in Europe. The film follows the volunteers throughout their year of service, it expresses different expectations, enthusiasm, goals and challenges. The volunteers describe subjectively their personal experiences as well as their view of Germany. The documentary is a thoughtful and exciting vision of the exchange program seen by four young people.

Mechanical Monsters(en)

This extraordinary documentary poses questions that still resonate today - will the machines we build to save humanity end up replacing us or even destroying us? Historian Simon Schaffer tells the stories behind some of the most sensational engineering wonders of past centuries. Images of designs and remnants spark questions that cut to the heart of our ever-advancing technological civilization.

Toys(es)

This short film, filmed at the Rural Exhibition, is a testimony that, based on 70 interviews with girls and boys of 9 and 10 years old, investigates the behavior guidelines imposed by conventional education and the results obtained. Boys are educated in a specific way, with very different life goals, and toys reflect this discrimination: kitchens, dolls, hairdryers, cosmetic equipment, the whole domestic world for girls. Creative games, those that awaken the imagination (trains, cars, building games, men in space), are intended for boys.

Britain's Child Drug Runners(en)

Children as young as seven are being groomed to sell drugs for 'county lines' drugs gangs in towns and villages all over the UK. This film follows four young people trapped in this world.

Echoes of Silence(en)

What does space sound like? In fact, like nothing at all—sound waves can’t travel through the interplanetary void.

Founders(en)

Under the leadership of its first and only president, Sinte Gleska University on South Dakota’s Rosebud Reservation has been a model for Indian-controlled education for 50 years, paving the way for other tribal colleges with a series of historic accomplishments and an eye towards continued innovation.

NULL(en)

A hitman is tasked to take out ex-mobsters when he suddenly hears a voice that questions his morality.

12(en)

After blowing his professional ballet career, John's only way to redeem himself is to concoct the demise of his former partner, Leah, who he blames for his downfall; he rehearses his salvation in his mind in the way that he rehearses a dance, but being able to break from the routine will be the key to his success.

(NULL)(xx)

An unknown girl breaks out of her daily grind by undergoing an intense audio-visual trip.

Six Hours: Surviving Typhoon Yolanda(en)

In the middle of a broadcast about Typhoon Yolanda's initial impact, reporter Jiggy Manicad was faced with the reality that he no longer had communication with his station. They were, for all intents and purposes, stranded in Tacloban. With little option, and his crew started the six hour walk to Alto, where the closest broadcast antenna was to be found. Letting the world know what was happening to was a priority, but they were driven by the need to let their families and friends know they were all still alive. Along the way, they encountered residents and victims of the massive typhoon, and with each step it became increasingly clear just how devastating this storm was. This was a storm that was going to change lives.

Nullarbor(en)

An animated road-movie set across the vast and barren landscape of Australia's Nullarbor Plain.

Captain Nulle(lv)

Valdis Nulle is a young and ambitious captain of fishing ship 'Dzintars'. He has his views on fishing methods but the sea makes its own rules. Kolkhoz authorities are forced to include dubious characters in his crew, for example, former captain Bauze and silent alcoholic Juhans. The young captain lacks experience in working with so many fishermen on board. Unexpectedly, pretty engineer Sabīne is ordered to test a new construction fishing net on Nulle's ship and 'production conflict' between her and the captain arises...

Station Six-Sahara(en)

A beautiful blonde joins a small group of men running an oil station in the Sahara Desert and starts the emotions soaring.

Journey Across the Mainland(zh)

Joseph Kuo's final film.

Box(en)

A doomsday pepper is surprised to find a mysterious box appear in his living room with no trace as to how it could've gotten there.

Man(en)

An experimental film through the eyes of a man

12(tl)

Anton and Erika started out as friends for five years and got into a romantic relationship for seven years. Anton is a commercial director while Erika is a former band member and becomes his stay-at-home partner. The day finally comes when he asks her to marry him.

Auris - Die Frequenz des Todes(de)

Monster Ark(en)

Archaeologist Nicholas Zavaterro and his student find an antique vase with an inscription that points to where Noah's Ark is hidden. They decide to go looking, but things get out of control when they encounter opposing forces, including a monster named Tama.

Kaththi(ta)

Kathiresan aka Kaththi, a criminal, escapes from the Kolkata prison and comes to Chennai, where he comes across his doppelganger Jeevanandham, fighting for his life after being shot at by unknown men. Kathir decides to pass off as Jeeva and make away with a lump sum amount but once he realizes who Jeeva really is, Kathir turns a crusader.

Fight Back to School 2(cn)

Star Chow, an officer in the elite police unit, resigns when he is made a scapegoat for a botched investigation. He goes undercover at a school to complete the case and realizes a bumbling detective is also undercover as a student.

As Long As We Go East(fr)

Through a journey across Europe, starting in Rennes, finishing in Saint-Petersburg, a team of young documentarists spontaneously and poetically engage with an experience of culture, languages and borders. The camera follows Tao, a blooming artist travelling by the means of her skateboard. Along the way they make insightful encounters and live unique experiences, through a variety of colours, landscapes, creative initiatives and incredible mouvements coming to sight progressively within their journey. This summer tale is an individual challenge, taking place through the lives of different encounters bringing out a single poetic line, a movement. Under the humble wheels of a skateboard hides a tribute to the old continent. Overall, questioning the individuality, the mass, and moreover, us, the European youth.

The Godthumb(en)

From Steve Odekirk's "Thumb Parodies" series, a take on Coppola's classic involving those thumb-headed mafiosos and their struggle for power. You'd might even call it a thumb war...

12(xx)

An old Finnish athlete travels alone through eastern Europe with his van.