Short documentary films marathon
short films, 94 min, eng subtitles, 16+
Fat Kathy / Gruba Kaśka by Julia Pełka (Poland, 2019, 14 min)
There are 8 clams in the city water pump. The lives of millions of people depend on them. In case of the contamination of water supply, the clams will close and automatically shut off the water to the city. The main scientist-malacologist watches over the system’s operation. The film is a philosophical essay on the dependence of people on nature and the world around them.
2020 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
One Life / Vienas gyvenimas by Marija Stonytė (Lithuania, 2019, 19 min)
On a private farm, butterflies are raised lovingly only to be sold as props for a classical concert performance. We follow one of these fragile creatures on its short-lived journey to the music hall as it struggles to survive “civilization”.
2019 DOK Leipzig
Opera Glasses / Бінокль by Mila Zhluktenko (Ukraine, Germany, 2019, 24 min)
The film focuses on the locations outside the auditorium of the Opera House in Kyiv, while observing authentic gestures of preparation, boredom and humour.
2020 San Sebastián International Film Festival
2019 DOK Leipzig
Pripyat Piano by Eliška Cílková (Czech Republic, 2020, 18 min)
26 April 1986: Chernobyl’s reactor 4 explodes and provokes the biggest nuclear disaster in history. Pripyat, where the plant is located, becomes a ghost town. Guided by former inhabitants, Eliška Cílková takes us on her quest of the town’s memory. Gracefully shot, the film reminds us of the power of music where it is least expected.
2020 51st Visions du Réel International Film Festival
S P A C E S / M E Z E R Y by Nora Štrbová (Czech Republic, 2020, 8 min)
The film explores memory as a container of our identity. It's based on the personal story of the author and her brother who got a brain tumor diagnosis. The narrative and form of the film follow the idea of perceiving reality with a broken memory. An animated documentary experiments with art and film techniques and balances on the edge of genres.
2020 51st Visions du Réel International Film Festival
We Have One Heart by Katarzyna Warzecha (Poland, 2020, 11 min)
After his mother dies, Adam comes across some letters his parents exchanged years ago. This is an opportunity for him to find out more about his father, who he never knew. The juxtaposition of animated drawings and archival material takes us back forty years and enables us to uncover an extraordinary family secret.
2020 51st Visions du Réel International Film Festival
2020 60th Krakow Film Festival
2020 DOK Leipzig