10 films from the KVIFF competition on Cinando

Director: Tomáš Mašín

Czech Republic, Germany, Slovak Republic, 2009, 110 min

1947. Nineteen-year-old Ivan is the embodiment of the dreams and ideals of the period. The self-satisfied and confrontational poet finds understanding with freethinking Jana, and together they experience the end of hope: after February 1948, the Communist regime reveals its repressive side.... Tomáš Mašín’s debut feature is loosely inspired by the autobiography of leftist underground guru Egon Bondy. The artistically striking retro film took three Czech Lions: Best Camera, Sound, and Actor (Kryštof Hádek).

Director: Daniel Burman

Argentina, Uruguay, Spain, 2009, 105 min

They are both alone. They need each other but, at the same time, they despise each other. Siblings Marcos and Susana are unable to heal the old wounds festering within them after the death of their mother. When Susana sells the mother’s flat, she deprives her brother of the home where he had cared for their mother his whole life. Marcos’s need to start living again surfaces when his sister forces him to leave Buenos Aires for Uruguay....

Director: Chi Zhang

China, 2010, 89 min

Shot on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the transfer of the Portuguese colony of Macau to Chinese administration. It’s 1999 and the title character is on a personal pilgrimage to discover his Portuguese-Macanese roots, thereby opening up the theme of the individual’s (and an entire society’s) search for identity on the threshold of an uncertain postcolonial existence. The director’s 2008 film The Shaft competed at the 43rd KVIFF.

Director: Frédéric Sojcher

Belgium, France, Italy, 2010, 85 min

A bio-doc about Micheline Presle changes into a thrilling investigation of the long hidden truth about European cinema. This mockumentary thriller uncovers Hollywood’s unsuspected plot against the European motion picture industry. Numerous directors and stars appear in the film, making it a choice morsel for all film lovers.

Director: Rajko Grlić

Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, 2010, 89 min

Aging but still charismatic Nikola, played by the captivating Miki Manojlović, likes to share his bed with a number of women. But should he be punished for lying to his wife, or for mistreating his lover? A comically outspoken film about complex issues in contemporary society or: slow sperm are always good for a laugh.

Director: Agustí Vila

Spain, 2010, 95 min

The story of a well situated urban family living under a constant shadow of guilt: the mother feels guilt with regard to her children, the father is guilty because of the home help, and the son feels responsible for all living things, particularly abandoned cats and dogs, which he picks up off the street and then places himself behind a barrier of silence.... Geraldine Chaplin (who plays a silent role in The Mosquito Net) described the film’s screenplay as one of the three best scripts she had ever read.

Director: Paweł Sala

Poland, 2010, 95 min

The film is a loose reconstruction of actual events which shook Poland some years ago. Told in flashback, the film searches for the motives for such a twisted crime. How and why did this irrational evil germinate? Did it rise out of family relations, or did the murderers respond to the perverted values of the spirit of the times?

Director: Catherine Martin

Canada, 2010, 87 min

The aging but elegant Françoise takes pride in her daughter’s accomplishments, however, the latter meets a sudden and violent death. The devastated woman decides to escape to a secluded place and withdraw into herself. Via a sensitive and aesthetically refined drama, the film reflects upon a difficult life situation, and also considers whether art has the ability to heal.

Director: Olivier Coussemacq

France, 2009, 90 min

French director Olivier Coussemacq has debuted with a psychological thriller about a 15-year-old girl who imposes upon an older married couple. Is it mere chance that has brought her to the home of Judge van Eyck and his wife? And what is true of what Céline has told them about her past? Is the girl an intruder or a victim?

Director: Fardin Saheb Zamani

Iran, 2010, 92 min

Late-shift taxi driver Ali Mosaffa works the “mean streets” of Tehran and in the process he meets a wide variety of people. The lovely, lonely Leila starts to play an important role among his customers.... With a nod to Scorsese’s Taxi Driver (1976), debut director Fardin Saheb Zamani’s melancholy, disquieting drama tells of alienation and the various roles which people assign themselves and others.