“I’m scared… But I just want to tell the truth,” – these are the words that begin the Oscar-nominated film “Black Box Diary” by director Shiori Itō, which is being screened at the festival “Cinema spring". Human rights, migration, ecology - just a few of the topics important to us all, explored in the collection "Today's Films for Tomorrow", which includes 10 works.
Dovilė Grigaliūnaitė, the head of the program and purchasing department of “Kino pavasaris”, says that the films in this collection broaden the audience’s horizons not only in terms of cinematography, but also in terms of sustainability. “Sustainability is perhaps still more often understood through the prism of ecology, nature conservation, sorting, and reduced consumption of things. However, in reality, it starts with sensitivity to the environment and those around us. It is precisely this broad approach that “Today’s Films for Tomorrow” reflects,” she says.
One of the most striking films not only in this selection, but also in the entire festival, is the Oscar-winning political drama "I'm Still Here," directed by Brazilian filmmaker Walter Salles. Based on a true story, the film tells the story of Eunice Paiva, the wife of a Brazilian congressman whose husband is kidnapped by a military dictatorship. Raising five children alone, the main character goes from being a housewife to a strong activist fighting for justice.
The film "I'm Still Here" beat out another Oscar nominee, director Mohammad Rasoulof's drama "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" about family relationships, Iranian society and the situation of women in it. The drama takes place not only on screen, but also off it - the film, which was unpopular with the Iranian authorities, was filmed in secret, and the director, sentenced to 8 years in prison, had to leave the country in order to avoid punishment.
Japanese journalist and director Shiori Itō is also facing discontent and condemnation in her own country after revealing her personal story of sexual assault in the documentary "Black Box Diary." Her openness also drew threats and forced the filmmaker to leave her native Japan, where cinemas in the country are refusing to show the story, which has caused public uproar.
The strength of the main characters is also evident in German director Nora Fingscheidt's drama about a young girl's recovery from addiction, "Escape," and in the social thriller about the everyday life of a Parisian immigrant, "The Story of Suleiman," directed by Boris Lojkin.
Different aspects of women’s oppression and demonization are explored in the films “April” and “Witches.” The latter documentary draws parallels between postpartum depression and centuries-old myths about witches. Director Elizabeth Sankey, drawing on personal experiences, tells a compelling story about women’s mental health in the film. A slightly different, menacing atmosphere is created by director Dea Kulumbegashvili, who in “April” tells the story of a midwife performing illegal abortions in the villages of Georgia – she reveals the system’s desire to control women’s bodies.
Love and closeness to nature are highlighted in the documentaries "Wild Hearts", "Bird Songs" and the Lithuanian "Mumbling Hearts". Directed by Silje Evensmo Jacobsen, "Wild Hearts" is a story about a family that dreamed of living as close to nature as possible, but is forced to make different decisions after a painful change in circumstances.
Kathleen Harris's "Bird Songs" takes viewers through Ireland with an ornithologist who is trying to record the sounds of all the birds living there. And Vytautas Puidokas' observational documentary "Mumbling Hearts" tells the story of a teenager named Matas, who finds himself in a secluded male community, where farm work becomes a kind of escape from addictions and the shadows of his previous life.
The collection “Today’s Films for Tomorrow” is presented at the festival by ERGO. “I sincerely congratulate “Kino pavasaras” on its 30th anniversary. ERGO has been supporting this festival for many years because we appreciate its courage to show films that touch not only on artistic, but also on various social and environmental topics. For us, sustainability means caring for every person and the environment in which we live. Therefore, we are particularly pleased that the topic of sustainability is taking an increasingly important place at the festival and encouraging viewers to discuss and act,” says Tadas Dovbyšas, head of the festival’s major partner, ERGO.
