Sparked by a tragic event in his life, artist and filmmaker Angelo Madsen Minax reconnects with his family after a long time in a highly personal documentary film – NORTH BY CURRENT. The chronology of their meetings is enriched by home video footage and voiceover dialogues. Through an intimate story, the film negotiates the topics of depression, domestic violence, motherhood and transgender masculinity in what turns out to be cathartic family therapy.
In a mixture of re-enactments, animation, soul-searching interviews and archive material, the brilliant filmmaker Eliane Raheb shaped what it came to become MIGUEL’S WAR. The feature skilfully proves how strict familial traditions and religion can kill a person’s individuality, as depicted through the struggle of the main character. Follow Miguel through his journey.
Today we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming the director of WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY (original title: “Guzen to Sozo”) – Ryusuke Hamaguchi – to offer us a better understanding of his feature film. His new work could be described as a collection of short episodes, each revolving around a woman. They tell stories of an unexpected love triangle, a failed seduction trap, and an encounter that results from a misunderstanding. Awoken your curiosity?
Ending a new Berlinale day on the right note with director John Greyson and his moving short film INTERNATIONAL DAWN CHORUS DAY. Born out of pandemic isolation, the powerful story is based on the real-life satirical anti-dictatorship filmmaker Shady Habash, who died in Cairo’s notorious Tora prison, and Egyptian queer activist Sarah Hegazi, famously incarcerated for flying a rainbow flag at a Cairo concert, who later committed suicide after suffering severe trauma in prison. Despite the delicate theme it deals with, Greyson’s film gives freedom a whole new meaning.
Up next we’ve welcomed Jacqueline Lentzou in our TEDDY studio to chat about her long-awaited feature debut – MOON, 66 QUESTIONS. The story tackles notions of acceptance and communication (or the lack of it), while accompanying the flow of the unconscious and vivifying the grey areas of family life at the same time. Get an insight into the touching story here:
In an insightful and simply captivating interview, director Truong Minh Quý examines his latest short film THE MEN WHO WAIT (original title: “Les Attendants”), which parallels two storylines that seem to be completely disconnected from each other at first, yet gradually fuse together as the film progresses. This film is a raw, emotionally arresting account of two parallel desires: the need for sexual encounters and the need for a home. Shot entirely on analogue film, the intimacy translated seamlessly through camerawork.
Today’s ReScreenings:
ESQUI, Director: Manque La Banca, Argentina / Brasil, 2021 21:30h, Silent Green
On the fifth day of the Berlinale special edition, we had the pleasure of “interrogating” director Yana Ugrekhelidze about her recent feature film INSTRUCTIONS FOR SURVIVAL. In an insightful interview, she presents the story centred around a couple whose lives are a constant battle yet decide to stick together against all odds.
