Italian
Emerging voices in documentary filmmaking: A glimpse into the future
The world of documentary filmmaking is ever-evolving, with new voices and perspectives continually emerging. One of the most exciting platforms for these fresh talents is the Ji.hlava Documentary Film Festival, which has been nurturing up-and-coming producers through its Emerging Producers program since 2010. This initiative selects 18 promising producers each year, providing them with educational, networking, and promotional support. Let’s delve into the projects from the 2024 cohort, each offering a unique lens on diverse and compelling stories.
Green Is the Fire’s Tint
Producers: Cristina Haneș, Isabella Rinaldi, Arya Rothe for NoCut Film Collective (India, Romania, Italy)
Directors: Cristina Haneș, Isabella Rinaldi, Arya Rothe
Genre: Creative documentary
Synopsis: Somi, a 37-year-old indigenous woman, faces eviction from her land due to the opening of an iron mine. Once an armed Naxalite rebel, Somi now leads her community in resisting displacement and deforestation without her rifle. This film is a sequel to “A Rifle and a Bag.”
Pitch: In a marginalized place of resistance, Somi defends her ideals of equality and dignity while confronting social injustice. This narrative explores the transformation from armed rebellion to peaceful resistance, highlighting the resilience of indigenous communities.
The Story of the Wild Rose
Producers: Liis Nimik, Klara Films (Estonia) and Mónica Hernández Rejón, Pråmfilm (Sweden)
Directors: Kristen Aigro, Miguel Llansó
Genre: Creative documentary
Synopsis: A Mexican telenovela accidentally purchased takes Estonia by storm in the early post-Soviet years, reaching unprecedented viewership records. This film explores how this wild fairytale captured the hearts of reserved Estonians during their transition from collectivism to individualism.
Pitch: Life today often mirrors a soap opera, with reality show characters running the world. This documentary morphs into a telenovela, collecting 300 stories from ordinary people who remember the absurdity of early 90s Estonia while “Rosa” was on air.
The Last Misfits by the Golden River
Producer: Isabella Karhu, Danish Bear Productions Oy (Finland)
Director: Juho-Pekka Tanskanen
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: In Northern Lapland, the last community of gold miners lives far from roads and telephone networks. Their peaceful lives are disrupted by a new mining law forcing them to abandon their way of life.
Pitch: Gold mining in Lapland predates the Klondike Gold Rush and has continued for 160 years. As this era ends, the miners maintain their philosophy of life being both funny and sad, living as they like despite the challenges.
Adam’s Tooth
Producer: Mariam Chachia, OpyoDoc (Georgia)
Directors: Mariam Chachia, Nik Voigt
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: In 2022, Georgian archaeologist Giorgi Bidzinashvili discovered a 1.8-million-year-old tooth in Orozmani, Georgia. Despite international interest, bureaucratic delays have stalled the tooth’s study. Bidzinashvili and his colleague wait in a Kafkaesque vigil, uncertain of their groundbreaking find’s future.
Pitch: This film depicts a David vs. Goliath struggle at an archaeological site, where one man’s quest to uncover human origins faces bureaucratic sabotage. It aims to draw international attention and pressure decision-makers to unlock the site’s potential.
Reflexion
Producer: Mónica Hernández Rejón, Pråmfilm AB (Sweden)
Directors: Farah Yusuf & MyNa Do
Genre: Creative documentary
Synopsis: Childhood friends MyNa and Farah form the artistic duo Mahoyo. They explore identity and belonging within Sweden’s highly segregated society. The film follows their journey amidst the rise of far-right movements and a generation of young Swedes creating political change.
Pitch: Reflexion delves into segregation and social belonging in Sweden, an urgent topic as conservative movements grow across Europe. The film tells the story of those facing these issues from an intimate perspective, using a playful artistic language.
H for Hoax: The Phantasmagorically True Story of the Stone Age Tasadays
Producers: Kristine Kintana, Kamias Overground (Philippines), Achinette Villamor, Khavn Company, Stephan Holl, Rapid Eye Movies (Germany)
Director: Khavn
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: In 1971, the Philippines shocked the world with the discovery of the Tasaday, a primitive stone-age tribe in Mindanao. While some consider it the biggest anthropological hoax, the Tasaday continue to spark debate about reality and authenticity.
Pitch: This story is timely in an age of massive social media use, where facts easily become interchangeable with propaganda. The Tasaday story offers a sobering look at media’s power to transform perceptions and reminds us that truth is seldom simple.
KnAM, a Theatre in Exile
Producers: Orlane Dumas, Les Films de l’AubeSauvage (France), La Casquette Productions (France)
Director: Lionel Retornaz
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: Following the invasion of Ukraine, the KnAM Theatre left Russia and settled in Lyon, France. Tania, Dima, and German, each from a different generation, try to reinvent themselves both humanly and artistically while dealing with the reality of exile.
Pitch: KnAM highlights the work of artists in a globalized world where some leaders want to re-establish borders. It reminds us that art is a form of resistance against political oppression and societal division.
Chess Behind Bars
Producers: Kaleo La Belle, La Belle Film (Switzerland), Anita Norfolk, Folk Film (Norway), Eline Van Wees, Basalt Film (Netherlands), Dirk Manthey, Dirk Manthey Film (Germany)
Director: Ivo Zen
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: Through chess, we meet various inmates and prisons worldwide who compete nationally and internationally. Each move represents their strategies to move beyond their past and recapture their future.
Pitch: Inmates train for a chess world championship for the incarcerated, showcasing disparate approaches to rehabilitation. The film highlights how chess teaches life skills that offer inmates a chance towards a new path or even freedom.
Panic Button (working title)
Producers: Ver
The Emerging Producers program continues to be a beacon for new talent in documentary filmmaking, offering a platform for stories that might otherwise go unheard. Each project in the 2024 cohort brings a unique perspective, challenging viewers to see the world through different eyes. Whether it’s the resilience of an indigenous woman, the absurdity of a telenovela’s impact, or the quiet determination of gold miners, these documentaries promise to captivate and inspire.# Exploring the world of cinema and TV: A deep dive into upcoming films and series
Unveiling the power of documentaries
Panic Button: A fight for freedom in Kyrgyzstan
Director: Samara Sagynbaeva
Genre: Documentary, Investigation, Personal View
In the gripping documentary Panic Button, director Samara Sagynbaeva takes us on a journey through the tumultuous landscape of Kyrgyzstan’s media. The film follows her husband, Ali Toktakunov, as he battles against the oppressive forces of the government, exposing a massive corruption scandal. This documentary is not just a story of one man’s fight but a testament to the universal struggle for freedom of speech and democracy. The personal sacrifices made by Toktakunov and his family highlight the high stakes involved in the pursuit of truth.
Watch the trailer for Panic Button
Kind of Adults: The emotional roller coaster of growing up
Producers: Rita Balogh, Gül Togay
Directors: Rita Balogh, Peter Akar
Genre: Coming-of-age Documentary
Kind of Adults is a poignant coming-of-age documentary that chronicles the lives of a group of adolescents over five years. As they navigate the complexities of growing up, the film captures their emotional highs and lows, offering a raw and unfiltered look at the journey to adulthood. This documentary transcends generational boundaries, providing insights that resonate with viewers of all ages. It’s a powerful reminder of the universal challenges and joys of growing up.
Watch the trailer for Kind of Adults
Fiction and drama: Stories that resonate
Termites Have Wings of Approximately the Same Length: A tale of personal and emotional struggle
Producers: Svetislav Dragomirović, Nevena Savić
Director: Svetislav Dragomirović
Genre: Feature Fiction/Drama
In Termites Have Wings of Approximately the Same Length, Petar and Hana face a dual crisis: a termite infestation and an unplanned pregnancy. This film masterfully intertwines the physical destruction of their home with the emotional turmoil of their situation. The relentless march of the termites serves as a metaphor for the couple’s internal struggles, making this a deeply moving and thought-provoking drama.
Watch the trailer for Termites Have Wings of Approximately the Same Length
Fixing the War: The unseen heroes of war reporting
Producers: Oleksandra Kravchenko, Gary Lennon, Pauline Tran Van Lieu
Directors: Vadym Ilkov, Clare Stronge
Genre: Drama
Fixing the War offers a unique perspective on war reporting by focusing on the “fixers” – local individuals who assist foreign journalists in war zones. These unsung heroes navigate the dangers of their war-torn homeland, providing crucial support to journalists while their own lives are upended. This film sheds light on the human cost of war and the indispensable role of fixers in bringing the truth to the world.
Watch the trailer for Fixing the War
Creative documentaries: Blending reality with imagination
World of Walls: A dystopian vision of the future
Producers: Matej Sotník, Klára Mamojková, Wanda Kaprálová, Kristian Van der Heyden
Director: Lucia Kašová
Genre: Creative Documentary
Set in a dystopian future, World of Walls explores extreme social divisions and the escalating climate crisis. Through the eyes of two girls living on opposite sides of a wall, the film paints a stark picture of a world where the wealthy live in protected enclaves while the rest struggle to survive. This sci-fi documentary is a powerful commentary on environmental degradation and social inequality.
Watch the trailer for World of Walls
The Slugs: A unique ghost story
Producers: Adrianna Rędzia, Kristian Van der Heyden
Director: Katarzyna Gondek
Genre: Fiction
The Slugs tells the story of three generations of women – Marry, Zofia, and Zuza – who navigate their lives in different political eras. Marry and Zofia, now ghosts, guide Zuza as she starts her life in a new capitalist society. This intimate and feminine ghost story delves into the darker parts of their beings, offering a unique perspective on self-discovery and intergenerational connections.
Watch the trailer for The Slugs
Blending genres: Horror and history
House of Shadows: Exploring colonial trauma through horror
Producers: Thomas Kaske, Boualem Ziani, Emilie Dudognon, Svetislav Dragomirović
Director: Amine Hattou
Genre: Creative Documentary, Ghostly Horror, History
House of Shadows is a haunting exploration of Algeria’s colonial past. Through the lens of horror, the film follows two fathers and their children in Laghouat, revealing how colonial history continues to shape their lives. This innovative blend of genres offers a fresh perspective on historical scars and the resilience of the human spirit.
Watch the trailer for House of Shadows
These films and documentaries offer a rich tapestry of stories that reflect the complexities of human experience. Whether through the lens of personal struggle, societal change, or historical trauma, each piece invites viewers to engage deeply with the world around them. For cinema and TV series enthusiasts, these upcoming releases promise to be both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.
