2004 2019 WORLD CINEMA FUND SUPPORTED FILMS - Berlinale
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Being aware of the local context,
designing and reaching audiences
Dealing with fiction, documentary and
everything in between
More than money, talking about cinema,
working together, making things happen
WORLD
CINEMA
FUND
SUPPORTED
FILMS
2004 – 2019Being aware of the local context,
designing and reaching audiences
Dealing with fiction, documentary and
everything in between
More than money, talking about cinema,
working for a sustainable film production
in the World Cinema regions
WORLD
CINEMA
FUND
SUPPORTED
FILMS
2004 – 2019
The World Cinema Fund is an initiative of the
The special programme WCF Europe was created with the support
in cooperation with the and with further support by the of the Creative Europe-MEDIA programme of the European Union.
The special programme WCF Africa started thanks to The complementary programme WCF ACP EU Culture is funded with
the additional support from the Federal Foreign Office. the financial contribution of the European Union and the support of
the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States.CONTENT
More than money: A tailor-made funding programme for the WELCOME 6–8
pluralism of international film cultures
WCF PRODUCTION SUPPORT
For more than 15 years, the WCF has helped give shape and vis-
PROJECTS IN PRODUCTION 10
ibility to largely unseen cinema – by supporting film production
FINISHED FILMS 2018–2020 28
in countries that lack a constructive film industry and by giving
FINISHED FILMS 2004–2017 52
talented filmmakers the opportunity to gain or improve their
international awareness and reach a global audience. Although
German or European producers are always the administrative WCF EUROPE PRODUCTION SUPPORT
recipients of our support, they are required to spend the money PROJECTS IN PRODUCTION WCF EUROPE 100
in the projects’ regions of origin, a very effective way to support FINISHED FILMS 2017–2020 110
production in places where the money is most needed. The WCF
is increasingly able to satisfy different needs, offering tailor-made
opportunities. Besides the traditional WCF funding programme
WCF AFRICA PRODUCTION SUPPORT
we started WCF Europe, supported by Creative Europe’s Media PROJECTS IN PRODUCTION 120
programme putting together projects, directors and producers FINISHED FILMS 2017–2019 128
from WCF funding regions with European producers. WCF Africa,
thanks to the support of the German Federal Foreign Office focus WCF DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT 134
on supporting film production and promoting film culture in the
Sub-Saharan region. WCF EUROPE DISTRIBUTION SUPPORT 162
WCF INFO 166
TABLE 168
REGISTER 170
4 5Apichatpong Weerasethakul
Director, UNCLE BOONMEE WHO CAN RECALL HIS PAST LIVES
and CEMETERY OF SPLENDOUR, Thailand
“Even though my films have been shown at various places, finding funds remains
a challenge. Perhaps because the only way I know to make films is to do something
Marcelo Martinessi deeply personal. I imagine scenarios when I’d have no resources to carry on –
Director, LAS HEREDERAS, Paraguay one of them is to grow vegetables. Which is not bad. Healthy, and romantic. But
“The cinematography of my country – Paraguay – is taking its first steps I hope that, it won’t happen in the next few years. So I’m very grateful for the
on the international scene, with a lot of enthusiasm. But locally we support from the WCF. It allows me to be able to continue exploring the lights, not
haven’t yet managed to forge public policies that facilitate the realisa- yet the soil.”
tion of the films we want to make. In this regard, the World Cinema
Fund support has been crucial for LAS HEREDERAS and for other Patrick and Mikosh Horn
Paraguayan projects, which from that push have found new alliances Distributors, Grandfilm, Germany
and ways to reach the big screen.” “The significance of the World Cinema Fund for
diversity in German cinema cannot be emphasized
enough. For the visibility of international cinematic
Suhaib Gasmelbari films in Germany, it imperative. Its support gives
Director, TALKING ABOUT TREES, Sudan committed distributors like us the backing we
“I have a deep gratitude and respect for the WCF as an important fund that is need to bring films beyond the mainstream to the
run by individuals with insightful views and great knowledge on cinema. They big screen. It is literally opening the doors for
not only support films financially, but they truly contribute to the renewal of world cinema.” Michael Weber
the whole art of cinema by including new voices annually from places that suffer Sales Agent, The Match Factory, Germany
from a total lack of cinema production, like in my country. In doing this, they “Many projects are made possible in the first place
allow cinema to be diverse, to reflect humans, hopes and sorrows from different because the filmmakers are allowed to spend
places of our planet, and to liberate the art of cinema from the cookie cutter the money ‘at home’ – without having to set up
narratives and combat the standardization of minds and souls. a disproportionate and costly co-production
For me personally, receiving the WFC funding was an important moral boost.” which incurs increased post-production costs in
yet other countries.”
Maya Da-Rin
Diego Dubcovsky and Lucía Chavarri Director, THE FEVER, Brazil
Producers, Varsovia Films, Argentina “Finding funds for a first feature film is always tough. For a woman director, it
“It’s not always easy to receive enough funding to finish a film in the best possible can be a real challenge. Even though THE FEVER counted with the support from
way. In the case of LAS MIL Y UNA, the support of WCF was substantial to provide different funds, it took us many years to raise the budget for the shooting.
the project with the technical and artistic tools. Having the opportunity to copro- In countries that don't count with continuous public policies for arthouse films,
duce with Germany, and gaining their support, also gives the project added value. the Word Cinema Fund support has a key role in assuring the continuity of
Also being part of the WCF-TFL Audience Design workshop was a unique experi- independent cinema, allowing multiple and radical voices to exist.”
ence. It was a luxury to have the space and time to rethink who our audience is
and to develop strategies to reach them.”WELCOME
WORLD CINEMA FUND Dealing with a precarious world, focussing on artistic operating outside of the mainstream produced by lo- the better. We have already started working in this
energy and cooperation cal companies, supported by passionate international field: the WCF film LAS MIL Y UNAS by Clarissa Navas,
Highlighting existing realities, dealing with the Furthermore, besides artistic relevance and the WCF’s co-producers and linked to regional narratives which invited this year by the Berlinale section Panorama,
cinema universe, believing in cooperation and fruitful role in developing important cooperation and develop intense and critical content, social-political already took part in a tailor-made workshop with the
a sustainable film industry in the World Cinema co-production networks, it makes sense more than global issues and an innovative cinematic language. goal of creating the best possible audience approach
Fund regions ever, considering the world seems to be still tending Does this sound like a huge challenge? It may be, for the different territories.
towards ignorance, political primitivism and religious but it works.
Sudan, Brazil and other stories fundamentalism. Africa, Caribbean, Pacific: brand new WCF / ACP funding
2019 was another intensive and successful year for With this in mind, we also support production in Re-contextualising cinema / being aware of the local opportunities
the World Cinema Fund (WCF). First of all, I would like countries with an important film tradition but where historical context / supporting diversity We are dealing also with another important addition
to acknowledge the tremendous success of TALK- filmmakers, due to the political climate, are faced with Supporting diversity / cultural diversity is an under- to the WCF funding programme: Thanks to the sup-
ING ABOUT TREES by Suhaib Gasmelbari, which won a precarious and dangerous situation, such as Brazil. lying element of the WCF’s identity. For years, we port of the ACP (African, Caribbean, Pacific Group
the Panorama Audience Award and the Glashütte Such a joy then, that the remarkable The Fever, Brazil- have played a significant role in establishing a new of States) starting this year, we can now offer addi-
Original Documentary Award at last year’s Berlinale. ian director Maya Da-Rin’s debut feature, is enjoying geography of culturally diverse cinema. Bearing in tional support for projects from these regions funded
A Sudanese film winning such impressive accolades? such strong international success, after its start in mind that the WCF is an European funding institution within the framework of the WCF / WCF Africa initia-
It would have sounded almost utopic just a few years Cannes last May. focussed on regions mostly dealing with the com- tive. An important complement, not only for general
ago. plexity of a colonial and post-colonial heritage, we financing of films in the ACP, but also for improving
And it was not the only one. In 2019 another WCF- Talking about cinema and the challenge of the real remain aware of the local cultural / historical context, cooperation and co-production opportunities inside
funded Sudanese film was, and still is, extremely Submitting a project to the WCF means getting in continually optimising and updating our knowledge, and outside of the WCF funding regions.
successful. YOU WILL DIE AT TWENTY by Amjad Abu touch with a team passionately interested in talking whilst not forgetting the film history of these regions
Alala started its career in Venice, winning the Lion with not only producers, but also directors, writers, di- and countries. The WCF as a part of the new Berlinale. Berlinale synergies.
of the Future for a Debut Film, and has since been rectors of photography, and editors. It means writing WCF-funded films are totally free: a world premiere
enjoying a unique festival circuit with continued and talking about cinema. About camera work, light- Building, contextualising, reaching audience during the Berlinale isn’t a WCF funding condition.
recognition and awards. ing, editing, music or the absence of music. About We see the WCF as an institution that helps put things However, getting in touch with the WCF means get-
What does this mean? Supporting emerging or non- the narrative structure of the future film. The WCF is in motion. Focussing on audience building and audi- ting in touch with the Berlinale, enjoying multiple
existent cinema cultures and countries is certainly im- open to submissions from both feature-length fiction ence engagement strategies will further represent in synergies and networking opportunities.
portant, beyond our urgent and necessary cultural- and documentary film projects. And everything in the next future an important element of our funding What about the WCF in the framework of the new
political action. It highlights an existing reality: in the between. We are open to bold proposals that call strategy. Making funded films even more visible and Berlinale? The WCF can count on the support of the
WCF regions and countries, we have the opportunity into question the interpretation and reinterpretation reaching different audiences requires a multilayer ap- new festival directors, Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo
to reach and support a large number of filmmakers of reality. We just believe in cinema. And cinema has proach, which considers the identity and potential of Chatrian, who strongly believe in the funding identi-
with an enormous creative energy. many faces. the funded films and which also needs to be contex ties and goals of the initiative.
We have a clear funding attitude and we also feel tualised in the different territories and countries. The future is now: we are aware that the global audio-
like curators of projects before they take shape and Audience building and audience engagement strate- visual production universe is continually changing.
become real films. Funding ground-breaking projects gies should start at the production stage, the earlier For us, it means dealing with radical structural and
8 9WCF
PRODUCTION SUPPORT
PROJECTS IN PRODUCTION
technical developments that one day might com-
pletely change the universe of so-called cinema.
Whilst strongly believing in the cinema as a place to
share common cultural and emotional experiences,
we are keen on experimenting with new narrative
forms and new ways of watching films.
Enjoying the challenge, dealing with a universe in motion
We will continue to work hard at consolidating the
WCF and making its activity even more effective. We
will further try our best to take care of the different
needs of a challenging segment of the global film in-
dustry, whilst also reflecting on the future role of the
WCF in the framework of the German and European
film funding landscape.
More than 15 years of WCF, 3946 submissions, 238
supported projects and countless awards. More than
15 years of enjoying the privilege of connecting with
radically different film universes, more than 15 years
making a conscious effort to make amazing films
more visible.
The WCF started as and remains an initiative of the
Berlinale and German Federal Cultural Foundation
(KSB). We would particularly like to express our sin-
cere gratitude to the KSB artistic director Hortensia
Völckers for supporting us from the beginning and
believing in us over the years.
Vincenzo Bugno, Head of WCF
10BLACK NIGHT
KARANLIK GECE
by Özcan Alper
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
by Makbul Mubarak
Synopsis Rakib is a male housekeeper who works young, military and civilian, past and present. Synopsis Ishak (35) is a wandering musician from motivated me and pushed me to make this film. With
in a mansion that belongs to Purna, a retired general a small mountain town. A lynching he was a part of this story, I tried to understand in particular how de-
who is running in the local election. One day, Purna’s seven years earlier comes back to haunt him as he sires suppressed by society, sexual experi-ences and
campaign poster is vandalised. Rakib helps to find returns to his hometown to farewell his dying mother. obstacles in the way of the formation of individual
the culprit, kicking off an increasingly terrifying chain Facing the other five perpetrators – his childhood identity can create a climate of extreme violence.
of events. friends – as well as the community and government
officials supporting them, Ishak struggles with the
Director’s note During the Indonesian military guilt weighing upon him. However, the bigger the
dictatorship, my father was a teacher in the state- crime, the stronger the silence – since everyone has
owned school in our village. He was a timid man. He blood on their hands.
did only what the government wanted him to do.
Even after the dictatorship had ended, my father still Director’s note In this story, I wanted to follow the
thought that things were better under the regime – quest for truth and justice in Ishak’s world. In his
that the solution for the problems in the present is INDONESIA story, which is about common people in a small
to revert to the glorious past. AUTOBIOGRAPHY is my mountain village, I was inspired by photographs TURKEY
Director: Makbul Mubarak
counterbalance to his idea. Producers: KawanKawan Media (Indonesia), Potocol similar to those taken under authoritarian regimes Director: Özcan Alper
(Singapore), In Vivo Films (France), Niko Film (Germany) in many parts of the world. Producers: Nar Film (Turkey), ArtHood Films (Germany)
Taking the form of a character-driven suspense dra- German WCF partner: Niko Film German WCF partner: ArtHood Films
World sales: Les Films du Losange (France) World Sales: tbc
ma, AUTOBIOGRAPHY portrays an intense relation- The relationships background characters have with
ship between two characters that embodies many Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2019 nature, each other and their sexuality, and how they Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2018
elements: father and son, master and slave, old and Funding amount: 40.000 € connect to the political process and situation are what Funding amount: 30.000 €
12 13CIDADE; CAMPO CLARA SOLA
by Juliana Rojas by Nathalie Álvarez Mesén
Synopsis Two tales of migration between city and Synopsis In a remote village in Costa Rica, 32-year- CLARA SOLA is an ultimatum about a woman’s journey
countryside. old Clara embarks on a journey to break free from to take control of her body, her sexuality and her
social and religious conventions and gain control of powers.
After a tailings dam disaster floods her hometown, her sexuality and newfound powers.
rural worker Joana moves to São Paulo to find her
sister Tania, who lives with her grandson Jaime. While Director’s note Growing up Catholic, I was made to
developing an emotional bond with the boy, Joana believe early on in life that women who masturbated
struggles to thrive in the “working city”. ended up in hell, and that the balance between be-
ing a virgin and a whore was extremely delicate. With
After the death of her estranged father, Flavia moves this screenplay, I want to explore where our heroine,
to his farm with her wife Mara. Nature forces the Clara, would land on this judgment scale – being a
two women to face frustrations, old memories and young woman with limited social skills.
ghosts.
BRAZIL The film takes place in a social and religious setting COSTA RICA
Director’s note CIDADE; CAMPO is a sensorial and where traditions hold back individual development.
Director: Juliana Rojas Director: Nathalie Álvarez Mesén
non-naturalistic journey about personal losses and Producers: Autentika Films (Germany), Dezenove Som Clara has been stuck in a patriarchal context in which Producers: Hobab (Sweden), Pacífica Grey (Costa Rica),
adapting to new environments. An atmosphere on e Imagens (Brazil), Good Fortune Films (France) women are oppressed not only by men, but also by Laïdak Films (Germany), Need Productions (Belgium)
the edge of reality and fantasy will represent these German WCF partner: Autentika Films other women. WCF German partner: Laïdak Films
World sales: tbc World sales: tbc
characters' peculiar relationships with the places they
migrate to. These existential journeys contrast with Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2019 Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2018
Brazil’s complex socio-political reality. Funding amount: 30.000 € Funding amount: 50.000 €
14 15DAUGHTER OF RAGE
LA HIJA DE TODAS LAS RABIAS
by Laura Baumeister De Montis
THE COW THAT SANG A SONG
ABOUT THE FUTURE
LA VACA QUE CANTÓ UNA CANCIÓN SOBRE EL FUTURO
by Francisca Alegría
Synopsis The death of hundreds of cows brings Synopsis In an endless hazy dump in Nicaragua, Other coming-of-age films with strong imaginary ele-
Cecilia (45) and her children to her father’s dairy farm eight-year-old Maria struggles through life, neglected ments that inspire me are BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN
in the south of Chile. There she encounters her mother by her mother. When she accidentally kills the new- WILD, NOBODY KNOWS or THE FLORIDA PROJECT.
Magdalena (33), whose suicide has marked the family. born puppies about to be sold, she’s left on her own
While agonising animals sing about the future of the to work and live in a recycling factory as punishment.
human race, Cecilia embarks on the path of under- Maria learns ways to survive and accept this abandon-
standing her mother and listening to nature’s voice. ment, using her strong will and rich imagination.
Director’s note In 2017, there was a mass death of Director’s note DAUGHTER OF RAGE is a film about
fish in a river in Valdivia. Three years earlier, thousands a mother-daughter relationship set in a hostile rub-
of black-necked swans died in the same river, a few bish dump in Managua. This place resembles a dysto-
months after the installation of a paper mill. These pian universe with its own dynamics and landscapes.
two cases are but a tiny example of the current state CHILE I come from a generation in Nicaragua known as NICARAGUA
of the world, where the destruction of entire ecosys- “the cubs of the revolution”, deeply marked by the
Director: Francisca Alegría Director: Laura Baumeister De Montis
tems has become normalized. It would be easy to absence of paternal figures.
Producers: Jirafa (Chile), Cinema Defacto (France), Producers: Felipa Films (Nicaragua),
blame the big companies that make billions at the Snowglobe (Denmark), Bananeira Filmes (Brazil), Mart Films (Mexico), Halal (The Netherlands),
expense of our natural resources, but that would be The Match Factory (Germany) We experience the violent feeling of abandonment Heimatfilm (Germany). Promenades Film (France)
ignoring our responsibility as a society and denying German WCF partner: The Match Factory felt by Maria. The tone of the film is rare realism, con- WCF German partner: Heimatfilm
World sales: tbc World sales: tbc
our free will as human beings. The signs are loud and densing Nicaragua’s contemporary reality – shot in
clear, but we are not paying attention. It is as if we Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2018 real locations, but with a mythical and almost naive Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2019
need nature to literally speak… or sing to us. Funding amount: 40.000 € point of view. Funding amount: 30.000 €
16 17FIRST NAMES
LOS NOMBRES PROPIOS
by Fernando Dominguez
EUREKA
by Lisandro Alonso
Synopsis The year is 1970. The day dawns peacefully Synopsis In 1878, the Argentine state perpetrated a As the houses on the Patagonian plateau are built
as the tribal chief rises and goes to greet his people. genocide against the Mapuche people – the indige on state land, patients are afraid to go through this
The men and women gather in a circle, murmur- nous inhabitants of southwest Argentina- to take process and upon returning, find that their house has
ing among themselves. Iracema, a beautiful young over their land in the Patagonian desert. Today, a new been vacated or dismantled by the state itself. They
woman, tells the others about the dream she had the genocide is happening. A silent genocide. would rather go blind than become homeless. I am
night before. interested in small stories in the context of big historic
In recent years, the area’s small towns have suffered events where the banality of evil is manifested clearly.
Director’s note EUREKA is a bird that graces the from migration of younger generations, reducing
skies over the Americas. EUREKA travels through the population by half. The older ones stay and little
time and space to the heart of the Amazon jungle, by little, lose their sight. A strange disease is making
over the border between Peru and Brazil. She also them blind. Initially, images disappear from sight.
flies in and out of different time periods. And she Then, from their thoughts. Landscapes and faces
likes the indigenous peoples. By listening to her we ARGENTINA become distorted. The only thing that remains of
might grasp, if we are lucky, how difficult it is for us loved ones, is their first name. ARGENTINA
Director: Lisandro Alonso
to become human beings.
Producers: Luxbox (France), Mr. Woo (Mexico), Rosa Director: Fernando Dominguez
Filmes (Portugal), 4L (Argentina), Fortuna (Netherlands), Director’s note José Bustos told me many things. Producers: Constanza Sanz Palacios Films (Argentina),
Komplizen Films (Germany) He told me that you cannot escape your land, be- Black Forest Films (Germany)
German WCF partner: Komplizen Films cause the earth is wherever you go. He also told me German WCF partner: Black Forest Films
World sales: Luxbox (France) World sales: tbc
that corneal transplants are only offered for free in
Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2019 other provinces. And that to do so requires a long Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2019
Funding amount: 50.000 € bureaucratic process. Funding amount: 40.000 €
18 19KILLING THE DEAD
MATAR A UN MUERTO
by Hugo Giménez
IRON STREAM
SHIKOLBAHA
by Kamar Ahmad Simon
Synopsis On the 60th anniversary of Hiroshima, wrote the first draft in 2011. In the years that followed Synopsis Paraguay 1978, during the dictatorship look of the human condition.
Bijoy (31) gives a tantalizing “Sarod” performance I wrote different versions of the script, still I could feel Pastor (50) and Dionisio (25) bury dead bodies illicitly
in a trendy Kolkata Café. After the sudden death of that there was something missing, something that in the woods in a systematic and clandestine man-
his mother, he finds himself locked in the realm of was holding back the whole narrative. In my previous ner. At the same time, in Argentina, the World Cup
her memories. His younger brother, the only bread- drafts unconsciously I had been very conscious of is taking place. One morning among the bodies, the
winner in the family, takes away the small jewelry box hiding myself in it. But the more I explored, the better diggers, find a man, Mario (45) who is still breathing.
she left behind. In his solitary confinement in their I realized that this story without “me”, the storyteller, Both men know they must kill him but they have
Kolkata suburban house, Bijoy finds the other box full in it would be incomplete. never done anything like that before. A storm is com-
of her old letters and photo. For the first time Bijoy ing, announcing the winter season, while the destiny
learns about his grandfather, the village where he was of the three men is determined during the World
born and of “Shikolbaha”, the river of her childhood Cup final match.
she yearned to return to! It’s been long since father
and son had stopped talking, the brother brands him Director’s note My goal is to explore the military PARAGUAY
as “spoilt” and suggests selling the house. Yet against BANGLADESH regime from its outskirts, draw a line between that
Director: Hugo Giménez
their will, Bijoy takes her ashes and boards a train for space and time that is unknown to me because I
Director: Kamar Ahmad Simon Producers: Sabaté Films (Paraguay), Zona Audiovisual
the border, for a land they left 17 years ago! Producers: Beginning Production (Bangladesh), didn’t experience it closely; I’ve only known its ech- (Argentina), Altamar Films (France), Pandora Film
Weydemann Bros (Germany) oes. I am interested in small stories in the context of Produktion (Germany)
Director’s note It was in 2005 and it all started with German WCF partner: Weydemann Bros big historic events where the banality of evil is mani- German WCF partner: Pandora Film Produktion
World sales: tbc World sales: tbc
a friend calling me from a foreign land. His mother fested clearly. Also where fear of the unknown and
had just passed away; he wished to bring her ashes Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2017 the paradox of the impossibility of killing – within a Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2017
back. His last words echoed in my ears for years until I Funding amount: 40.000 € system designed for oppression – allows me a closer Funding amount: 40.000 €
20 21NOCHE DE FUEGO
by Tatiana Huezo
THE MEMORY OF THE FOREST
LA MEMORIA DEL MONTE
by Paz Encina
Synopsis cannot be overthrown nor abolished. Synopsis In a solitary mountain town, where corn
Memory from the world Why not believe? and poppies grow, the girls have boyish haircuts and
The exile and the song of remembrance each has an underground hiding place, like a tomb.
The chant of what endures Their mothers train them to flee death, to escape
Those who dwelled in the land before us those who turn them into slaves or ghosts. Eight-year-
Dreams, cinema, 3D old Ana grows up with her best friends, Paula and
A format that allows us to inhabit the eternal María. They kill snakes, take over houses of those who
Preserve the forest and the spiritual world of the forest have fled and dress up as women. They create their
Remember and dwell on it, at all times and forever own impenetrable world amidst growing violence,
That is the memory from the forest. yet there comes a day when one of them doesn’t
make it to her hiding place in time.
Director’s note MEMORY FROM THE FOREST is PARAGUAY
the story of the first ones, the eternal ones and the Director’s note NOCHE DE FUEGO explores what
ones of today. It is the story of exile, the story of our Director: Paz Encina it means to grow up as a girl in the midst of war in MEXICO
Producers: Silencio Cine (Paraguay), Gaman Cine
ancestors who had to leave their lands and of those Mexico. It’s a story that invokes the magic and resist-
(Argentina), Fortuna Films (Netherlands), Black Forest Director: Tatiana Huezo
who have to do the same today. It is the story of the Films (Germany), MPM Films (France), Eaux Vives ance of children and their honest gaze in the face Producers: Pimienta Films (Mexico),
future of the peoples, which could be different. It is Productions (France) of a violent reality. The film speaks of the time we The Match Factory (Germany)
the place where evil cannot exist. MEMORY FROM German WCF partner: Black Forest Films live in and how it resonates in our innermost being, German WCF partner: The Match Factory
World Sales: tbc World sales: The Match Factory
THE FOREST aims to preserve a space of memory through the point of view of three girls on the path
and wants, and, even if it is in image form, to pre- Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2018 to adolescence. Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2018
serve a physical and also a spiritual place – one that Funding amount: 40.000 € Funding amount: 30.000 €
22 23OCTOPUS SKIN THE RIVER
LA PIEL DE PULPO AL NAHR
by Ana Cristina Barragán by Ghassan Salhab
Synopsis Iris and Ariel are 16-year-old twins, who live Synopsis A young woman and a man meet for lunch
with their mother and older sister Lia near a beach in a restaurant located in the midst of a mountain-
full of mollusks, birds and reptiles. They have grown ous landscape in Lebanon. Suddenly, a war seems to
up isolated, with a transcendental connection with explode in the distance, fighter planes crisscross the
nature. A resort opens on a nearby island and Iris sky. They both leave the place and venture deeper
travels to the city for the first time, on the search for into a nature that is more and more spectral, like the
her individuality. Shopping centres, social networks, couple they form today.
parties and meeting Nina mark her journey toward
self-awareness and recognition of her love for her Director’s note THE RIVER is the final part of a
siblings and their island. triptych that began with THE MOUNTAIN and THE
VALLEY. Three deliberately geographic titles, three
Director’s note I want to deal with siblinghood territories. What binds them is essentially organic, an
taken to the extreme: twinness. I want to speak of invariable threat that affects the whole, reaching the
the complicity of their very own world, the unique ECUADOR slightest corner, the slightest of us; a threat present LEBANON
language between twins and the rupture that grow- in Lebanon for so long that it has imperceptibly
Director: Ana Cristina Barragán Director: Ghassan Salhab
ing up implies. An imaginary island will be created in Producers: Caleidoscopio Cine (Ecuador), Desenlace mutated into a territory itself. With a scarcity of words, Producers: Khamsin Films (Lebanon), The Postoffice
OCTOPUS SKIN, a universe of prehistoric creatures, Films (Mexico), Graal S.A. (Greece), unafilm (Germany) THE RIVER retraces an afternoon as it shifts into night, (Lebanon), Survivance (France), Unafilm (Germany)
lava pathways and mollusks. I need to replicate an German WCF partner: Unafilm in the company of a young woman and a much older German WCF partner: unafilm
World sales: tbc World sales: Les Films du Losange (France)
aroma that transcends the screen and stays with the man, less a couple than two persons caught in an in-
spectator. Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2019 termediate state between the continued existence Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2018
Funding amount: 40.000 € of their relationship and survival itself. Funding amount: 30.000 €
24 25TASTE
VI
by Lê Bảo
WHETHER THE WEATHER IS FINE
KUN MAUPAY MAN IT PANAHON
by Carlo Francisco Manatad
Synopsis Bassley, a Nigerian illegal, plays in the Viet- I want to approach TASTE in a more contemplative Synopsis In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, re- no reason, the characters inescapably lose their own
namese football league to support his son back way. To respect the spaces as living entities that ligious fanatics, desperados, criminals and fleeing sense of justice. In the desperate struggle for survival,
home. When he breaks his leg, his contract is termi- breathe, to observe the characters inhabiting that animals are loose in the city. Miguel, a desperate son all sense of humanity and morality are eroded, and to
nated. With nowhere to go, Bassley finds work as a space in an unobstructed way. roams the ruins in search of the two women in his life: save oneself, one must destroy another. No one can
masseur at a salon. Seeking additional income, he also his childhood friend, Andrea and his mother, Norma. stay innocent. The films speaks of a satire and a com-
works as a prostitute. Over the course of three days, As soon as he finds them, Miguel tries to convince mentary of the absurdist generation we are in today.
he and four women clean together, cook together, eat them to leave the unlivable city. However, Norma is
together, sleep together, and have sex. Afterwards, fixated on waiting for her estranged husband Luis,
Bassley wires the money he has earned to Nigeria. He and Andrea is entangled in a surreal situation, in
tries to enter the lives of the women in more ordinary which the typhoon survivors believe she is the saviour
ways. They have moved on, but something in him amidst this tragedy. Miguel’s time slowly runs out as
PHILIPPINES
has changed. a rumour of another incoming storm circulates – his
VIETNAM freedom and even his life are at stake. He must decide Director: Carlo Francisco Manatad
Director’s note The idea for TASTE came to me whether to stay on to persuade his loved ones, or to Producers: Cinematografica (Philippines),
Director: Lê Bảo Globe Studios (Philippines), Dreamscape Entertainment
when I was in high school. I observed tired young Producers: Le Bien Pictures (Vietnam), leave town alone before the next disastrous storm
(Philippines), Iwant (Philippines), Plan C (Philippines),
African men sitting at the back of the bus at the end E&W Films (Singapore), Deuxième Ligne Films (France), devours him and the only home he knows. Black Sheep (Philippines), House on Fire (France),
of the day. This image stayed with me. Petit Film (France), Wild Bunch Germany (Germany) Kawankawan Media (Indonesia), Aand (Singapore)
German WCF partner: Wild Bunch Germany Director’s note My city’s horrendous loss collided German WCF partner: tbc
World sales: Wild Bunch (France) World sales: tbc
In Saigon, there are many Africans and they are often with terrible personal demons, and I decided to make
preyed upon. I do not want to make a film that ex- Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2018 a film set during the aftermath of the typhoon. After Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2019
ploits the plight of an African man living in Vietnam. Funding amount: 30.000 € the senselessness of having lost so much to nature for Funding amount: 30.000 €
26 27WCF
PRODUCTION SUPPORT
FINISHED FILMS 2018–2020
28ASWANG BACK TO KINHASA
by Alyx Ayn Arumpac RETOUR À KINSHASA
by Dieudo Hamadi
Synopsis When Rodrigo Duterte is elected president World premiere IDFA 2019, Competition for First Synopsis Stalked by the Congolese security services World premiere Berlin International Film Festival
of the Philippines, he sets in motion a machinery of Appearance for taking part in the youth uprising against President 2018, Panorama
death to execute suspected drug dealers, users and Kabila’s third term in January 2015, Ben flees to New
small-time criminals. ASWANG follows people whose Key festivals and awards FIPRESCI Award, IDFA 2019 York with the help of a few friends. On the spot his asy- Key festivals and awards Berlin International Film
lives entwine with the growing violence during two lum application is rejected. Ben has a choice between Festival 2018, Tim Hetherington Award, Sheffield Doc/
years of killings in Manila. living illegally in the United States or returning clandes- Fest 2018; Cinéma du Réel 2018; Zurich Film Festival
tinely to the Congo. He chooses to return to Kinshasa. 2018; Viennale 2018
Director’s note The Philippines’ “war on drugs” is He makes a stop in Brazzaville before crossing the river
ultimately an autocrat’s war against the urban poor in secret, joining the base which continues to mobilise
who catapulted him into power. How a people with against the third mandate.
a tradition of democratic values elected a provincial
mayor to the country’s highest post on promises of Director’s note I want to take my camera to docu-
restoring peace and order in the capital by – among PHILIPPINES, 2019 ment the long-term process of these young Congo- DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF
other things - dumping the bodies of “drug pushers lese people, who, faced with no future, have decided THE CONGO, 2018
Director: Alyx Ayn Arumpac
and do-nothings into Manila Bay and fattening the to fight in order to have one. In this country, there
Producers: Cinematografica (Philippines), Les Films Director: Dieudo Hamadi
fish there” provides a sobering context within which de l'Oeil Sauvage (France), Razor Film Produktion have always been men and women who have stood Producers: Kiripifilms (DRC), Les films de l’oeil
we can examine our society. Marked by viciousness (Germany), Stray Dog Production (Norway) up against injustice. I want to show their courage and sauvage (France), Bärbel Mauch Films (Germany)
and impunity, the roots of this systemic violence run German WCF partner: Razor Film Produktion (Germany) pay tribute to them by telling their stories. Lumumba German WCF partner: Bärbel Mauch Films
World sales: LevelK (Denmark) World sales: Andana Films (France)
deep in this country’s capital and periphery. It is a his- said: “One day, the history of the Congo won’t be
tory marked by protracted conflict in the countryside Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in June 2019 written in the United Nations, in Washington or Paris Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2016
and violent deaths in the squalor of its cities. Funding amount: 37.000 € but in the streets of Mbandaka, Kinshasa, Kisangani…” Funding amount: 40.000 €
30 31THE BED
LA CAMA
by Mónica Lairana
BRIEF STORY FROM
THE GREEN PLANET
BREVE HISTORIA DEL PLANETA VERDE
by Santiago Loza
Synopsis It’s a hot summer in Buenos Aires. George World premiere Berlin International Film Festival Synopsis Tania is a trans girl who performs her World premiere Berlin International Film Festival
(58) and Mabel (56) spend their last 24 hours together 2018, Forum shows at night clubs in Buenos Aires. Pedro is a 2019, Panorama
as a couple, locked in their family home. The house creature of the night, a regular dancer, a young gay
has been sold, and now they have to dismantle it and Key festivals and awards Berlin International Film man. Daniela works as a waitress in a bar. She is deal- Key festival and awards Berlin International Film
to divide up all their material belongings before the Festival 2018, New Horizons Film Festival 2018, Best ing with a break-up, and is deeply melancholic. The Festival 2019, Istanbul International Film Festival 2019,
moving van arrives. That morning, Jorge and Mabel director and best actress awards Mar del Plata Inter- three are friends and went to school together. Tania BAFICI 2019, Neuchatel Fantastic Film Festival 2019,
try to fuck in several positions, but it’s all in vain. They national Film Festival 2018; Kerala International Film receives the news that her grandmother has died. Sitges International Film Festival 2019, Lima Interna-
both end up crying. The rest of the day, locked in their Festival 2018 They find an alien body in her grandmother’s house, tional Film Festival 2019, Bogotá International Film
home, they move furniture, eat, have a shower, laugh, alongside a letter in which she asks Tania to please Festival 2019, Thessaloniki International Film Festival
pack things, cry, laugh again, find their dead cat, bury take the creature to the place where it first appeared. 2019
their cat, play with their dog, throw away stuff. And in Pedro, Daniela and Tania start a long and mysterious
the middle of these emotional ups and downs, they journey.
say goodbye to each other. ARGENTINA, 2018 ARGENTINA, 2019
Director’s note I want to make a movie about
Director: Mónica Lairana Director: Santiago Loza
Director’s note THE BED, my first feature-length film, beloved and hurt people, who are dragged to live
Producers: Gema Films (Argentina), Sutor Producers: Constanza Sanz Palacios
revolves mostly around the bodies of an old man and Kolonko (Germany), Topkapi Films (Netherlands), through an extraordinary situation, forced to experi- Films Srl (Argentina), Autentika Films (Germany),
a woman, who, after 30 years of marriage, are forced 3 Moinhos (Brazil) ence a huge and strange adventure. An existential Anavilhana Filmes (Brazil)
to spend their last 24 hours together before finally German WCF partner: Sutor Kolonko journey between the banal and the profound, the German WCF partner: Autentika Films
World sales: Gema Films (Argentina) World sales: The Open Reel (Italy)
separating. daily and the sublime. The movie is about the power
Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2016 of the weak. The hidden strength of outcasts. It is a Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2016
Funding amount: 30.000 € tribute to all the losers. And an act of poetic justice. Funding amount: 30.000 €
32 33DEATH WILL COME
AND SHALL HAVE YOUR EYES THE FEVER
VENDRÁ LA MUERTE Y TENDRÁ TUS OJOS A FEBRE
by José Luis Torres Leiva by Maya Da-Rin
Synopsis Ana is in her 50’s and is the head nurse of Within the project lays a desire to speak about death Synopsis In Manaus, an industrial city surrounded by lish with these families, were determining experiences
the city’s hospital. María is 42 years old and a math- and to totally move away from its clichés and stereo- the Amazon rain forest. Justino, a 45 year-old Amer- for me. Urged on by these encounters, I began to jot
ematics teacher in a small school. They live in a small types. To speak not about the end of a life but rather indian, works as a security guard at a cargo port and down my first notes for a movie to be set in Manaus.
town in the south of Chile. They have been a couple of the beginning and the possibility of something new, lives in a small house on the outskirts of town. Since
for 20 years, but had never lived together until the day a self-discovery that is necessary to grow as a person. the death of his wife, his only company has been his World premiere Locarno International Film Festival
Maria was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This illness youngest daughter Vanessa, but she will be leaving 2019, Competition
will mark a sign in their lives. Maria decides against World premiere San Sebastian International Film soon to study medicine in Brasília.
any kind of treatment and they sell all their belong- festival 2019, Competition Key festivals and awards Pardo d'Oro for Best Ac-
ings and move to a small cottage in the middle of a Stuck between the city and his village, which he left tor and FIPRESCI Award, Locarno International Film
forest where they live until the day Maria dies. This is Key festivals and awards Hamburg International over 20 years ago, Justino finds himself condemned Festival 2019, TIFF 2019, Torino International Film
how they fall in love again, living together for the first Film Festival 2019, BFI London International Film Fes- to an existence without place. During the day he Festival 2019; Best Film, Pingyao Film Festival 2019
time, facing the unbeatable death and determined to tival 2019, Viennale 2019 strives to stay focused at work. As time goes by, he
strengthen their relationship. is gripped by a high fever, whose cause the doctors BRAZIL, 2019
CHILE, 2019 are not able to identify. Vanessa finds herself torn
Director: Maya Da-Rin
Director’s note DEATH WILL COME AND SHALL between the desire to become a doctor and the Producers: Tamanduá Vermelho (Brazil)
Director: José Luis Torres Leiva
HAVE YOUR EYES is the name of a famous poem by Producers: Globo Rojo Films (Chile), Constanza Sanz decision to leave her father, sick, in Manaus. Enquadramento Produções (Brazil), Still Moving
Italian writer Cesare Pavese, perhaps one of the clear- Films (Argentina), Autentika Films (Germany) (France), Komplizen Film (Germany)
est and most awesome self-reflection exercises about German WCF partner: Autentika Films Director’s note I was shooting two documentaries in German WCF partner: Komplizen Film
World sales: Compañía de Cine (Argentina) World sales: Still Moving (France)
work, love and death there has been in the history the Amazon region in 2006, when I met several indig-
of literature. Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2017 enous families who had left their traditional territories Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2017
Funding amount: 40.000 € to live in the city. The relationship I was able to estab- Funding amount: 48.000 €
34 35FIG TREE
ETZ TE’ENA
by Aäläm-Wärqe Davidian
FLATLAND
by Jenna Bass
Synopsis Fourteen-year-old Mina lives in civil war- with friends and the next witnessing them being Synopsis FLATLAND is a contemporary, all-female portrait of femininity against a harsh frontier-land, and
torn Ethiopia. One day, her Jewish family is presented kidnapped. western-adventure that tells the story of a lonely questions what it means to be a woman in contem-
with the opportunity to escape the war by fleeing to policewoman longing to reunite with her fugitive porary South Africa and the world at large.
Israel. But Mina won’t leave her boyfriend, Eli, behind. World premiere Toronto International Film Festival boyfriend; while simultaneously leading a murder
Confronting the war head on, she makes desperate 2018, Discovery section investigation wherein a newly-married former house- World premiere Berlin International Film festival
plans to save the love of her life before their child- keeper and a heavily-pregnant teen are the prime 2019, Panorama
hood ends. Key festivals and awards Eurimages Audentia suspects. Helped and hindered along the way by an
Award, Toronto International Film Festival 2018; Best ensemble of wayward denizens, the unlikely trio soon Key festivals and awards Berlin International Film
Director’s note I spent the first years of my life in Cinematography Award of the Award of the Israeli become embroiled in a cross-country chase as they Festival 2019 , Toronto International Film Festival 2019,
Ethiopia, sheltered under my grandmother’s loving Film Academy 2018 navigate the Karoo semi-desert in freezing winter, at Zurich Film Festival 2019, Transatlantyk Film Festival
wings. Through the gaps in her feathers I viewed a times on horseback, all the while in search of a new 2019
magical world, occasionally interrupted by horror. I life and a fresh start.
was 10 years old when I left Ethiopia and despite the ISRAEL, ETHIOPIA, 2018 SOUTH AFRICA, 2019
war, my incognisant last days in Ethiopia passed by Director’s note Femininity, today more than ever,
Director: Aäläm-Wärqe Davidian Director: Jenna Bass
quite normally. has become embattled and undefinable. And then,
Producers: Black Sheep Film Productions Ltd (Israel), Producers: Proper Film (South Africa),
av medien penrose GmbH (Germany), En Companie there’s “What is South Africa?” a country named Deal productions (Luxembourg),
I would like to create a world similar to the one that des Lamas (France) purely after its place on the map, with 11 official IGC Films (Germany), unafilm (Germany)
has accompanied me since childhood. Yet the heart German WCF partner: AV medien penrose GmbH languages and countless more peoples and cultures German WCF partner: IGC Films
World sales: Films Boutique (Germany) World sales: The Match Factory (Germany)
of the film will be Mina’s daily life. Through Mina, I’ll without their own names. For these three different
describe the surreal situation of building a normal Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2016 but equally desperate women, the journey of self- Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in November 2014
life during wartime; one moment playing peacefully Funding amount: 40.000 € discovery within FLATLAND paints a vivid and unique Funding amount: 45.000 €
36 37THE HEIRESSES
LAS HEREDERAS
by Marcelo Martinessi
HOMING
QUERÊNCIA
See also WCF Distribution Support WCF by Helvécio Marins Jr.
See also Distribution Support WCF Europe
Synopsis Chela and Chiquita, both descended from This film comes out of my desire to heal. Synopsis In the bucolic and serene Brazilian country- World Premiere Berlin International Film Festival
wealthy families in Asunción, Paraguay, have been side of Minas Gerais, Marcelo – an easygoing cowboy 2019, Forum
together for over 30 years. But recently their financial World premiere Berlin International Film Festival on a cattle farm – lives for one passion: the dream of
situation has worsened. When their debts lead to 2018, Competition becoming a full-time rodeo announcer. One night, Key festivals and awards Berlin International Film
Chiquita being imprisoned on fraud charges, Chela is armed men force him into rustling the cattle. The Festival 2019, Cinélatino Toulouse 2019, IndieLisboa
forced to face a new reality. Driving for the first time Key festivals and awards Alfred Bauer Prize, Silver incident affects him deeply and he relies on his sister International Film Festival 2019, Jeonju International
in years, she begins to provide a local taxi service to a Bear for Best Actress (Ana Brun) and FIPRESCI Award, and friends to help him recover. Little by little he over- Film Festival 2019, New Horizons 2019, Sao Paulo Inter-
group of elderly wealthy ladies. As Chela settles into Berlin International Film Festival 2018; Best Director, comes the trauma and is ready to dream again and national Film Festival 2019, Kino Latino Cologne 2019
her new life, she encounters the much younger Angy, FIPRESCI Award, Cartagena IFF 2018; Golden Athena, dream big: to launch his very own rodeo company.
forging a fresh and invigorating new connection. Athens IFF Paraguay’s Submission for the 91st Acad-
Chela finally begins to break out of her shell and en- emy Awards 2018 HOMING is about love for the land, animals and na-
gage with the world, embarking on her own personal, ture. The film highlights the simple life of the rural
intimate revolution. PARAGUAY, 2018 man who is often ignored in Brazil. In places where BRAZIL, 2019
people live with very little, Marcelo is an example of
Director: Marcelo Martinessi Director: Helvécio Marins Jr.
Director’s note I “inherited” the diaries of a woman humanity and strength of character in opposition to
Producers: La Babosa Cine (Paraguay), Pandora Producers: Muiraquitã Filmes (Brazil), Videofilmes
who spent most of her life in the confinement of her Filmproduktion (Germany), Esquina Filmes (Brazil), the political and moral crisis we now face. His princi- (Brazil), Canabrava Filmes (Brazil), Autentika Films
own home. Transforming her experiences into a nar- Mutante Cine (Uruguay), Norks Filmprodukjson (Norway) ples and captivating simplicity define him as a natural (Germany)
rative feature film made me think about Paraguay, German WCF partner: Pandora Filmproduktion antihero of our time. German WCF partner: Autentika Films
World sales: Luxbox (France) World sales: The Open Reel (Italy)
my prison-country, and our system of “values” passed
from one generation to the next, like a hereditary Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2016 Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2018
disease. A system that doesn’t allow us to change. Funding amount: 40.000 € Funding amount: 25.000 €
38 39THE MONEY CHANGER
ASÍ HABLÓ EL CAMBISTA MONOS
by Federico “Cote” Veiroj by Alejandro Landes and Alexis Dos Santos
Synopsis Umberto Brause managed to become World premiere San Sebastián International Film Synopsis On a faraway Colombian mountaintop, International Film Festival 2019; Best Film, BFI London
renowned in the Uruguayan financial market; if he Festival 2019 what at first looks like a hedonistic summer camp, is Film Festival 2019; Best film, Transilvania International
wants to stay alive in the struggle for making money, actually the setting of a mission: child soldiers with Film Festival 2019; Cine Latino Award, Palm Springs
he will have to put at risk his marriage, the emerging Key festivals and awards San Sebastián Interna- war names must ensure that the Doctor, a kidnapped International Film Festival 2020; Best director, SANFIC
subvention of the 70s and his ancient code of ethics. tional Film Festival 2019, Toronto International Film American woman, stays alive. When a battle breaks 2019
Festival 2019, Viennale 2019, Tallinn Black Nights Film out and a milk cow is accidentally killed in the fight,
Director’s note THE MONEY CHANGER means Festival 2019, Zurich Film Festival 2019, Chicago Inter- playtime is over.
a huge challenge to me as a director, being my national Film Festival 2019
first screenplay based on a previously existing Director’s note Within the intimate, self-contained
text. The conception of this film was influenced by framework of a squad of child soldiers belonging to
Scorsese’s films Casino and The Wolf of Wall Street, an illegal army, we intend to build a parallel reality, a
films whose characters are entirely products of their fable of sorts, that allows us to get closer to the main COLOMBIA, 2019
time and environment. Reason for which, they lead victims in armed conflicts around the world: children.
two-faced lives. URUGUAY, 2019 Director: Alejandro Landes and Alexis Dos Santos
Producers: Campo Cine (Argentina), Lemming Film
World premiere Sundance International Film Fes-
Director: Federico “Cote” Veiroj (Netherlands), Mutante Cine (Uruguay) Pandora Film
The counterpoint to this visual frenzy is a con dential Producers: Oriental Features (Uruguay), Rizoma tival 2018 Produktion (Germany), Le Pacte (France),
toned first-person narrative voice, indifferent to any (Argentina), Pandora Film Produktion (Germany) Snowglobe (Denmark)
redemption for the character. On the contrary, aware German WCF partner: Pandora Film Produktion Key festivals and awards Special Jury Prize, Sun German WCF partner: Pandora Film Produktion
World sales: Film Factory Entertainment (Spain) World sales: Le Pacte (France),
of his cynicism and perhaps seizing his chance on dance International Film festival 2019; Berlin Interna-
screen, Brause strips down, eager to share his experi- Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2017 tional Film Festival 2019; Audience Award, Cartagena Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2014
ence as yet another narcissistic key to his persona. Funding amount: 40.000 € International Film Festival 2019; Best Director, Odessa Funding amount: 40.000 €
40 41ONE IN A THOUSAND
LAS MIL Y UNA
by Clarisa Navas
THE ORPHANAGE
PARWARESHGAH
by Shahrbanoo Sadat
Synopsis Iris meets Renata and feels immediately World premiere Berlin International Film Festival Synopsis THE ORPHANAGE is about an orphanage, World premiere Cannes International Film Festival
attracted to her. She will have to overcome stigma, 2020, Panorama Opening Film its pupils and their everyday life. It is set in Kabul, 2019, Quinzaine des Réalisateurs
and struggle with insecurities, in order to experiment Afghanistan, in the late 80s.
with first love. ONE IN A THOUSAND is a story full Key festivals and awards Berlin International Film Key festivals and awards Cannes International Film
of tenderness in a hostile environment, where desire Festival 2020 Qodrat (14) illegally sells cinema tickets for Bollywood Festival 2019, Filmfest München 2019, Odesa Interna-
takes on many forms in the darkness, and gossip can movies on the black market, when the police catch him tional Film Festival 2019, BFI London International Film
turn into a hostile weapon. and bring him to the orphanage. Qodrat dreams him- Festival 2019, Busan International Film Festival 2019,
self away to situations right out of an Indian Bolllywood Rotterdam International Film Festival 2020
Director’s note In the dark hallways of Las Mil, the movie until he becomes part of a group of friends.
biggest love came by once; along with the good When the civil war starts, Qodrat escapes to Pakistan.
friends who helped shape a queer resistance on
the periphery. I believe that we need more images Director’s note The film happens in a time when
that get closer, instead of lecturing, bringing about Afghanistan was not an Islamic country. No one has
intense situations between the neighbourhood and made a fiction film about that time until now. Talking AFGHANISTAN, 2019
the teenage bodies that resist and defile the fake ARGENTINA, 2020 about civil war is taboo in Afghanistan. Mujahedeen
Director: Shahrbanoo Sadat
condemnation of living on the edge on a daily basis. Director: Clarisa Navas are a big part of the current Afghan government. Producers: Adomeit Berlin (Germany), La Fabrica
This film takes shape in the power of these encoun- Producers: Varsovia Films (Argentina) What I want to achieve with THE ORPHANAGE is to Nocturna (France), Adomeit Film (Denmark)
ters, defending a dissident way of life in the north of German WCF partner: Autentika Films (Germany) break this taboo and talk about that time without German WCF partner: Adomeit Berlin
World sales: Pluto Films (Germany) World sales: Luxbox (France)
Argentina – unique and bright, but on the verge of judging. I want to connect with all the ethnicities and
disappearing. Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2019 make a real conversation about that time and about Funded in the WCF Jury meeting in July 2017
Funding amount: 30.000 € the ethnic civil war. Funding amount: 60.000 €
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