As a film enthusiast who has traversed the vast landscapes of cinema, I must say that the lineup for this festival is nothing short of captivating. Each film presents a unique perspective, delving into diverse themes and stories that are as rich and complex as the human experience itself.
The 20th installment of the Camden International Film Festival begins on September 12th. This year’s lineup is packed with politically charged documentaries that have recently been screened at Toronto, Venice, and Telluride film festivals. Since its location in Maine, this festival will take place in a hybrid format, offering in-person events from September 12th to the 15th, followed by online screenings accessible across the U.S. from September 16th to 30th.
2021’s CIFF features some intriguing films: Steve Pink’s “The Last Republican,” a docudrama focusing on former U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger during his final year in office as he endeavored to challenge his party by working with the Jan. 6 Committee. This film is set to make its world debut at TIFF. Additionally, Michael Premo’s “Homegrown” will be screened, a movie that traces the journey of a group of extreme Donald Trump supporters from the 2020 campaign trail up until the attack on the U.S. Capitol. This film will have its premiere in Venice Film Festival’s section for first-time filmmakers called Venice Critics’ Week. Lastly, “No Other Land,” a documentary about the struggle of Palestinian activists against forced displacement and settler expansion in the West Bank community of Masafer Yatta, premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in February where it was awarded best documentary.
Another movie at CIFF 2024 delving into politics is “The White House Effect,” directed by Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk, and Pedro Kos. This film offers an encompassing, entirely archival exploration of how the initial Bush administration managed the early stages of the climate crisis.
As a film enthusiast who has attended multiple documentaries festivals over the years, I am thrilled to share my excitement about this year’s 20th edition. The lineup promises two world premieres that pique my curiosity and interest: “The Flamingo” by Adam Sekuler and “Eastern Anthems” by Matthew Wolkow and Jean-Jacques Martinod.
The Cinema Industry Film Fest (CIFF) will kick off featuring Petra Costa’s latest work, “Apocalypse in the Tropics,” a sequel to her critically acclaimed film “The Edge of Democracy.” This documentary delves into the role of the evangelical movement in modern Brazilian politics and is set to make its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. On the same opening night, we will also witness Lola Arias’ unique musical production, “Reas,” created collaboratively with individuals who were previously imprisoned in one of Argentina’s largest female penitentiaries.
In summary, CIFF (Campaign for Independent Film Festivals), a significant platform for documentaries aiming for Oscar consideration, will showcase a diverse lineup consisting of 31 feature-length documentaries, 22 short films, and 2 immersive experiences hailing from 37 different countries. Approximately 60% of the program is dedicated to documentaries that are either debuting in the U.S., North America, or globally for the very first time.
In January, Ben Fowlie, who served as executive and artistic director for Points North Institute and CIFF and was one of its founders, chose to step down after a tenure of 20 years with the organization. Alongside CIFF program director Sean Flynn and fest board chair Caroline von Kuhn, Fowlie helped establish the Points North Institute, which organizes the fall festival. This year, in addition to his ongoing responsibilities for artist programs and fellowships, Flynn has taken on additional duties, managing the 20th iteration of the documentary festival as well.
Flynn mentions that the 20th installment of CIFF will serve as a platform to honor the resilient nature and limitless potential of documentaries, while also contemplating ways to safeguard its future. In these times where fundamental democratic principles such as freedom of speech, equality, and diversity appear to be under threat, the filmmakers featured this year underscore the importance of artistic autonomy for our society. Their films dare to push creative boundaries, present overlooked viewpoints within public discussions, and provide distorted reflections of both our current reality and the more equitable societies we can envision.
Along with Flynn, this year’s CIFF was curated by Milton Guillén, Zaina Bseiso, and Cam Howard.
Some notable highlights of this festival’s documentaries are as follows:
At this year’s Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF), six documentaries selected for Sundance 2024 will be showcased. These include “Agent of Happiness” by Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó, “Will & Harper” by Josh Greenbaum, “Soundtrack To A Coup D’etat” by Johan Grimonprez, “Eno” by Gary Hustwit, Jazmin Renée Jones’s debut feature “Seeking Mavis Beacon,” and the collaborative effort of Stephen Maing and Brett Story titled “Union.”
As in past years, CIFF is set to coincide with the ongoing six artist programs fellowships offered by Points North. These fellowships aid approximately 26 documentary features and shorts in various stages of development from different parts of the world via mentor-guided retreats and industry exposure opportunities. Notably, Jones, Bhattarai, and Zurbó are graduates of Points North Fellowship, a program that assists emerging filmmakers in kickstarting their projects through the festival’s well-known Points North Pitch event. Additionally, fellow alumni of the Points North Fellowship, Nesa Azimi, will be present at the 20th CIFF with her film “Driver,” which had its premiere at Tribeca in June.
Approximately 70 fellows, through collaborations with various other film fellowships and workshops such as the American Film Showcase, Bay Area Video Coalition, American Documentary | POV, and Chicken & Egg Pictures, will be present at CIFF.
The complete list of CIFF’s features and short films can be found below.
Features
“Agent Of Happiness” Arun Bhattarai, Dorottya Zurbó | Bhutan, Hungary
How can you measure happiness? The country of Bhutan invented Gross National Happiness to do just that, and Amber is one of the agents who travels door to door to meet people and measure how happy they really are. He is still living with his elderly mother at the age of 40, but nevertheless, a hopeless romantic who dreams of finding love: a happiness agent who is in search of his own happiness. We embark with Amber on a cross-country road trip meeting citizens from all walks of life, reminding us of the fragility and beauty of our own happiness. No matter where we live.
“Tropical Armageddon” – Sofie Benoot (Belgium, Netherlands) North American Premiere
Stones are at once the most foundational and the most overlooked parts of our lifeworld. When a retired nature documentary narrator passes a kidney stone, she decides to tell one more story about this forgotten world of stone. A hypnotic essay film asking urgent ecological questions, Apple Cider Vinegar takes the viewer on a journey meeting Palestinian quarry workers, passionate British Geologist and people living on the lava fields of Fogo.
“Blink” Daniel Roher, Edmund Stenson USA
Upon learning that three out of their four children have been diagnosed with a rare, incurable condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which leads to severe visual impairment, the Pelletier family’s life is irrevocably altered. In the wake of this life-changing news, Edith Lemay, Sébastien Pelletier and their kids embark on a global journey to explore the world’s splendors before their time runs out. As they collect unforgettable moments from stunning destinations and rare experiences, the family’s love, tenacity, and indomitable spirit guarantee that their uncertain future does not overshadow their present-day joy.
In the United States, the documentary “Dahomey” showcases the 2021 return of 26 priceless artifacts belonging to Benin’s royal family, which were in France for 61 years following independence. Filmmaker Mati Diop seamlessly blends traditional and innovative filming methods to capture this significant event in post-colonial cultural diplomacy. The movie follows the journey of these relics from Paris to Benin, using the voice of King Gezo’s statue speaking in Fon to narrate the story. Poetic imagery and discussions among Beninese students serve as a backdrop for Diop’s exploration of themes such as cultural identity, historical wounds, and colonial restitution. The film invites viewers to ponder whether reparations can ever be made for past looting. (mg)
In a novel premiere, an unfinished movie travels from one friend to another. Their conversations are woven together amidst the emergence of the Brood X cicadas, a massive group that appears every 17 years in the U.S., symbolizing a post-pandemic era and our intertwined futures. This road trip-style movie features a harmonious blend of human and non-human voices, historical warnings, nature’s power, and renewal.
Debuting in the U.S., the film “The Flamingo” by Adam Sekuler delves into the theft of Palestinian films that occurred in Beirut in 1982 as its starting point. It seeks to shed light on hidden materials found within Israeli archives and offers an alternate perspective, presenting a chronicled account of ongoing appropriation.
Debut Presentation: The Flamingo is a documentary showcasing the journey of a woman in her sixties, who embarks on an adventure of self-discovery, cultivating intimate connections, and embracing aging with zest. By Michael Premo, USA
Debut in North America: Homegrown is a raw account of the internal conflicts among Americans, providing an unparalleled perspective on right-wing advocates as they strive for meaning and control – with potentially catastrophic results.
In the wake of the Soviet occupation of Prague, a determined young female photographer seeks to escape the shackles of Czechoslovakian normalization and embarks on an exhilarating quest for liberty. Along the way, she documents her adventures through countless photographs.
8 o’clock finds young Sanyi navigating the gritty landscapes of Budapest on his skateboard, seeking respite from his confined living quarters. Over time, he encounters both valuable lessons and those that elude him. As his actions shift from harmless mischief to significant repercussions, the nation starts watching him closely, viewing him as a symbol of national sorrow.
Eager to rescue my marriage, I enlist the help of an undercover expert in China to expose and end my husband’s affair. Offering a remarkably personal perspective, “Mistress Dispeller” chronicles this evolving family saga from every angle within a complex love triangle.
Debut in North America:
As a movie enthusiast, I’d put it this way: “Experiencing the heartrending journey of a young Palestinian activist and an Israeli journalist in the West Bank, I found myself drawn into their fight against the displacement of the Masafer Yatta community. This extraordinary film, crafted by a collective of Palestinians and Israelis, offers a profoundly personal perspective on an age-old conflict.” The title “Oasis” by Tamara Uribe and Felipe Morgado, hailing from Chile.
In a groundbreaking decision following widespread societal change, Chile elects to draft a Fresh Constitution. A vibrant group will be responsible for recording the aspirations for dignity and social fairness of the entire nation. What might potentially pose challenges?
“Patrice: The Film”, Directed by Ted Passon, USA
Debut in the US: A heartwarming documentary-romantic comedy exploring the next stage of marriage equality – disability. (Originated from Argentina, Germany, and Switzerland)
1. “US Debut: Tales from Behind Bars”
Debut in the U.S.: “The Stimming Pool”, jointly created by filmmakers with neurodiverse backgrounds and Steven Eastwood, the artist-filmmaker, explores various characters as they journey through different settings, viewing them through an autistic perspective, seeking acceptance beyond conventional societal standards.
Title Translation: “Welcome Intergalactic and Celestial Space Conquerors”
As a movie buff, I’d rephrase that as:
“Through exclusively archived footage, ‘The White House Effect’ recounts the gripping tale of the climate crisis’s inception, detailing how scientific findings took shape, politics hijacked the issue domestically, and the public’s impact on the unfolding saga. Set during the crucial years of 1977-1992, this film transcends contemporary news, placing viewers right in the midst of history as it happens, crafting a tense and thrilling narrative with the highest imaginable stakes. This work is by ‘Wilfred Buck’, a filmmaker from Canada.”
On my journey traversing the earth and the cosmos, delving into past and present, I’m part of a lively hybrid documentary that chronicles the remarkable life of Wilfred Buck, a captivating and unconventional Cree Elder. Despite his tumultuous history, he found solace by reclaiming ancestral celestial wisdom and traditions.
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2024-08-19 17:19