The eighth edition of the Cinema City International Film Festival will be held under the motto In the right place at the right time, meaning in the new creative district comprised of China Town and Limanski Park in Novi Sad, from June 29 to July 5. We will show our audience 70 films within six very different selections, of which the 360° selection is definitely one of the most appealing and most popular selections of the festival, which brings new and intriguing debut films from all four corners of the world.
Some of these films caught our attention after premiering at some of the most prestigious international festivals, such as those in Berlin or Toronto, and some we managed to discover although being under the radar, thanks to the keen and recognisable taste of the selector, Petar Protić – says Milan Stojanović, programme director of the festival.
This year’s selection exudes the freshness of film expression and focuses on the issues of young, mostly confused, but very brave and independent people, said Protić.
The selection is led by the South African film Necktie Youth, signed by director Sibs Shongwe-La Mer, which premiered at the Berlinale, and which the critics described as the African “Kids” (directed by Larry Clark). This dynamic and stylistic film takes on tragedy of the absurd in the capital of South Africa. It follows the entitled kids, surrounded by wealth, who often experience feelings of emptiness and depression. Oscar Ruiz Navia’s Los Hongos, which screened in Toronto, Tokyo, and Rotterdam, follows Colombian graffiti artists who put up graffiti that support the Arab Spring and “resistance to Babylon”. The Iranian film You’re Ugly Too, directed by Mark Noonan, was also presented at the Berlinale. This drama follows a man and his niece who are trying to start their life together in a society that has little to no understanding for emotions and the beauties of familial respect.
In line with the recommendation of the selector of 360°, there are several must-see films that were already presented to the audiences of European and world festivals.
One of those films is surely A Young Poet, which was screened in Montreal, Rotterdam, Paris, and Berlin. Demien Manivel’s simple and poetic style follows a young man in the Mediterranean city of Sète in the south of France, who “as a stranger in a strange land” meets people and tries to establish himself as a poet. Between his first drunkenness and flirting blossom the lyrics of his first poem. In Guy Myhill’s Dickensian drama The Goob, we follow the story of a young man who stands up to his abusive father, people who pretend to be winners instead of mere refugees from the field where flourish only pumpkins and rage. Another must-see film is a realistic black comedy from Georgia, Line of Credit. This multiple award-winning film follows the life of a young and beautiful woman who is attempting to save the famed and proud fortune of her family, only to fall deeper into debt and shame, which is a great insult to the proud Georgian people.
Duccio Chiarini’s Short Skin follows a young Italian who believes in true love and the magnificence of the first sexual experience.
The Hope Factory, Natalia Meschaninova’s debute feature, is a peculiar amalgam of compedy and drama, about young people from Norilsk, a city in the far north of Russia, where salaries are enormous, as well as radiation, which results in terrible health and short life span. The only way out is by plane, for no roads or railways lead to the hell of Norilsk.
Two Canadian films are also part of this selection. Kung Fu Elliot was the pearl of such world festivals as Cannes and Raindance Film Festival. Directed by Jaret Belliveau and Matthew Bauckman, this film was named best documentary by the Slamdance jury. The film crew follows the protagonist who thinks he is born to be a great film star like Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris but eventually stumbles into the territory of cheap queer pornography in a China province. Diamond Tongues is a drama about a young, aspiring actress who needs to understand that success requires work and effort, and not only talent, shear luck, or a twist of fate. This Fassbinder-like presentation of the character as a spoiled and selfish brat is directed by Pavan Moondi and Brian Robertson.
First time at Cinema City: The Jury of the Young will present the Award of the Young for the best film in the National Class selection
This year, the programme of the Cinema City festival will focus on young authors, filmmakers, and audience, which is why it introduces for the first time the Jury of the Young, which will present the Award of the Young for the film that is, by their opinion, the best of the National Class selection.
Pupils from all Novi Sad high schools are invited to apply for a seat in this jury. You can apply by May 31, by filling out this form.
Based on the applications, the programme team of the festival will choose nine young people who will attend all screenings from the National Class selection, and then choose the film that the Chairman of the Jury will award at the official closing ceremony of the festival.
You can find everything you want to know about the latest films, selections, premieres, and guests of the Cinema City festival at cinemacity.org.
See ya @Cinema City 2015 – In the right place at the right time
