Non-competition program of the 12th Docudays UA embraces 10 topic selections dedicated to neighboring states as well as to their post-crisis realities and also to far away countries, where documentary cinema can allow itself to be non-political. Besides, it includes a brand new selection of children documentary and a special program on energy dependence of Ukraine. 35 hours of first rate documentary cinema including winners of major world festivals. There will be also discussions with experts, search for truth and penetration into challenging issues which can’t be silenced.
In order not to lose your way in the variety of non-competition program, which took Docudays UA team the whole year of enthusiastic preparations, find a short guide to all selections below.
PROPAGANDA
Headline of the festival and major non-competition program. There is no escape from propaganda, it can’t be destroyed. It has existed for centuries and will evidently play an important role in our lives. That’s why it’s important to react correctly, to be able to analyze it, to know how to resist it and how to use it for promotion of democracy basic values: human rights, freedom and justice. Together with directors from Estonia, Denmark and France we will look for clues in documentary cinema. By the way, among the films there is a multiple winner and an overwhelming favorite of international critics The Look of Silence directed by Joshua Oppenheimer.
DOCU/CHILDREN
For the first time in Ukraine Docudays UA presents a selection for young audience. Main characters are children and teenagers who face adult problems and learn how to survive them. The program includes seven films among which one animation film as well as short documentaries. By the way, one of the films in the program Giovanni and the Water Ballet has recently won a prize at the Berlin Film Festival. All films will be screened with Ukrainian dubbing.
DOCU/ENERGY
Depending on whether we will be able to discern good from evil, populism from effective management, vain promises from real decisions, Ukraine will either lose or win its another inner war – for energy stability, survivability and independence. This program will cover three approaches to human and nature rights, experiments and mankind possibilities under conditions of war with greedy energy corporations and our own consumption habits.
DOCU/UKRAINE
These are most recent films by Ukrainian directors and also Ukrainian premiere of a film-essay Vagrich and the Black Square dedicated to a famous conceptual artist Vagrich Bakhchanian directed by Ukrainian and American director Andrei Zagdansky.
DOCU/HITS
Traditionally the largest festival program. Five exceptional films by festival favorites among which an Oscar-winning Citizenfour, a documentary about Edward Snowden. We selected this program carefully checking with film list in order to be able to discuss the world hottest news after screenings.
DOCU/ART
Film selection which earlier told about activists of art professions, this year will somewhat disengage itself from politics. The purpose of the program is to explore the nature of art and mainly its manipulative potential. Inaptitude and unwillingness to identify hooks baited by artists in their works often lead to substitutions for meanings and ideological falsifications. Using three films as an example we suggest you to appreciate how artistic images influence a person, transform his/her perception and objective reality in general.
DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL TEMPO PRESENTS
Every year Docudays UA introduces native audience to its colleagues from abroad. This time in the public limelight comes Sweden. Local documentary Film Festival Tempo besides documentary films focuses on photography, radio and experimental projects. Tempo Best Films Program will be presented by Melissa Lindgren, a program director of the Sweden festival. The selection will inevitably surprise the audience with its creative approach to documentary genre.
FORMER Yugoslavia: RECONCILIATION
Breakup of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia started 24 years ago. What are the results? Four wars, two significant armed conflicts, 140 thousand of deaths, 4 million of forced migrants, ethnic cleansings, numerous crimes against humanity. For Ukrainians this issue is a top priority. The offered program is interesting with the fact that it doesn’t idealize nor obscures the situation in the region of former Yugoslavia, but gives its comprehensive account. Films subjects will touch the feelings of audience: from backstage of peace negotiations to everyday life in a post-conflict town and meeting former enemies.
Georgia effect (together with CineDOC-Tbilisi)
Three films about Georgia which are completely clear and understood for the Ukrainian audience. Cult figures of Soviet epoch, that arise from the dead as zombie. Detachment of power and its reforms from the real needs of people. A hard page in the history of Georgia is ‘independent’ Abkhazia that is living its life suppressed by the eternal elder brother. The program will be presented by Ileana Stanculescu and Artchil Khetagouri, organizers of the International Documentary Film Festival CineDOC-Tbilisi.
SPECIAL SCREENING from Cinema Politica
Cinema Politica is an organization which during the last twelve years has been organizing weekly screenings of independent political documentary cinema at Concordia University in Montreal. Formerly a campus-based organization, Cinema Politica today encounters seventy CP locals in Canada and Europe. Screening will be presented by Ezra Winton, a Program director and a Co-founder of this organization.
On the photo: a shot from the film Giovanni and the Water Ballet by Astrid Bussink (program DOCU/CHILDREN)
