Le Spectre de Boko Haram

Cameroon, Rotterdam Tiger award 2023, FESPACO Paul Robeson award

Cyrielle Raingou

Synopsis

A group of children forge their own world amid the dangers of armed conflict. We meet Falta, studious and hardworking, who is struggling to come to terms with the death of her father in a terrorist attack. Her classmate, Ibrahim, and older brother, Mohamad, struggle to balance their childlike energy with a traumatic past that takes them away from the innocence of their eight and eleven years. Continuer la lecture →

La Bonga

Colombia, Paris Cinema du Reel, NY MoMA Doc Fortnight, True False 2023

Sebastian Pinzon Silva & Canela Reyes

Synopsis

Two decades after a death threat from right-wing paramilitaries caused the maroon community of La Bonga to flee, the townspeople embark on a symbolic journey through the jungles of the Colombian Caribbean to resurrect a home that exists only in their memories.  Continuer la lecture →

There is a Stone

Japan, Tokyo Filmex 2022, Berlinale Forum 2023, Jeonju Grand Prize

Feature Film by Tatsunari Ota

Synopsis

Yoshikawa, who works for a travel agency, is visiting a town in the suburbs to do research for a new tour project. However, Yamakita, which used to be a prosperous « railway town », is no sign of life in front of the station and the shopping street is almost closed. Halfway through her research, she walks along a nearby riverbed and discovers a man, Doi, who is diligently skimming stones.

Continuer la lecture →

Voyages en Italie

France, Rotterdam big screen competition 2023

Feature film by Sophie Letourneur

Synopsis

A French couple burnt out by the routine of their daily family life decides after much hesitation to travel to Sicily for a short holiday. Voyages en Italie depicts the neuroses and eccentricities of Jean-Philippe and Sophie, the gracious dynamics of their relationship and the depth of their affection and intimacy. Continuer la lecture →

Shivamma

India, Busan 2022 new currents award winner, Nantes 3 Continents young jury award

First feature film by Jayshankar Aryar

Synopsis

Shivamma (46), a mother of two and the wife of an ailing bedridden husband, works as a government school mid-day meal cook in a small village. She is the only active working member of her family. Her entire family is in the process of finding a suitable groom for her daughter, though she has her own affair running alongside. Continuer la lecture →

Concrete Valley

Canada, Toronto Wavelenghts 2022, Berlinale Forum 2023

Feature film by Antoine Bourges

Synopsis

Rashid (Hussam Douhna), a doctor from Syria, struggles to adjust to his life in Canada
after five years in Toronto’s Thorncliffe Park with his wife Farah (Amani Ibrahim) and son
Ammar (Abdullah Nadaf). He tries to hold on to his old identity by working as an
unlicensed doctor for his neighbours. While Farah becomes more involved in their local
community, tensions between her and Rashid begin to take their toll on their fragile
marriage. Continuer la lecture →

Tora’s Husband

India , Toronto Platform, Busan A Window on Asian Cinema 2022

Feature film by Rima Das

Synopsis

Loss and lockdowns, life and death – like everywhere around the world, a small-town businessman in Assam is grappling with uncertainty and restlessness. Continuer la lecture →

About the Clouds

Argentina, FID Marseille competition 2022, best film FIC Valdivia, best director Mexico Black Canvas, Jeonju best picture prize 2023

Feature film by Maria Aparicio

Synopsis

Ramiro is a cook in a bar. Hernán is an unemployed technician. Nora is a nurse in a public hospital. Lucía is an employee in a bookstore. Four stories and a black and white city with a cloudy sky. None of them know each other, they are only inhabitants of the same city. Continuer la lecture →

Bentu

Italy, Venice Giornate di Autori 2022

Feature film by Salvatore Mereu

Synopsis

Raffaele has just gathered up his little pile of grain, which will be his provision for an entire year. Not wishing to be caught unprepared, he has been sleeping in the country for days, far from everybody, waiting for the wind to arrive and help him at last to separate the wheat-grains from the chaff. But the wind will not show up. Only Angelino arrives to visit him every day, making him feel less lonely. Maybe one day, when he has grown up, Raffaele may lend him his indomitable mare and he will finally manage to ride her. But Angelino does not want to wait… Continuer la lecture →

Geographies of Solitude

Canada, Berlinale Forum 2022 -Ecumenical Award, Arthouse Cinema Award, Caligari Film Prize-, Jeonju Grand Prize, Hot Docs Best Film & Best Emerging Director, Las Palmas Best Film

Documentary by Jacquelyn Mills

Synopsis

Geographies of Solitude is an immersion into the rich landscapes of Sable Island and the life of Zoe Lucas, a naturalist and environmentalist who has lived over 40 years on this remote strip of land. Continuer la lecture →