The upcoming Vilnius International Documentary Film Festival (VDFF) presents 7 documentary stories in the main program this year. According to the organizers of the festival, although the films differ in theme, style, and form, they are all united by the authors' exceptional vision and ability to create multi-meaningful and philosophical cinema.
"This year's main program includes introductions to films and their creators that are characterized by originality of thought and form. In our opinion, these are the best works that we have selected from the many documentaries made this year and last year," says Vilma Levickaitė, head of the Skalvijas film center, which organizes the festival.
Melancholy, obsessions and extraterrestrials
"Oleg and the Strange Arts" (Oleg y las raras artes) is one of the most prominent films of this year's festival. Naming her personal favorites, V. Levickaitė mentions this one first. The hero of the film, Oleg Karavaičiuk, is an icon in Russia, but little known abroad. A quirky freethinker who plays with astonishing fervor. We can hear the music created by him in the films of Sergey Paradzhanov and Kira Muratova. The musician's personality is so rich that in Russia the expression "Oleg Karavaičiuk's phenomenon" appeared to describe his talent, because the words "musician" and "genius" were too narrow to describe him.
The young director Andrés Duque from Venezuela became the first to win Oleg's trust and created his portrait in the cinema. A. Duque is coming to present the film himself to the VDFF audience.
For an extraordinary meeting in the movie "The Survival Method" (To Stay Alive - A Method) also invites the artist-rebellious duo - the French writer and master of provocations Michel Houellebecq and JAV rocker Iggy Popp. About ddepression, mental illnesses and their stigmas are discussed in the film in a light and humorous way, the "medicine" used by artists - creativity - provides hope. The story is based on M. Houellebecq's essay "Staying Alive". She is credited in the film by Iggy Poppa.
The unexpected connection between everyday life and exorcism is explored by "Deliver Us From Evil" (set me free) directed by Federica Di Giacomo. She observes one of the most famous exorcists in Italy - the tireless Father Cataldo, who is turned to by hundreds of people who are experiencing spiritual troubles. "An exorcism session is like a last resort for those who have not been helped by alternative medicine, psychiatrists and magicians. It's a kind of metaphor for a society that is looking for a quick cure," says the author.
Philosophy of everyday life
Talented authors who create documentary stories have a special ability to look at everyday life philosophically. Such is the story "Calabria" by the Swiss Pierre-François Sauter (Calabria), such is the film "City of the Sun" by Rati Oneli from Tbilisi (City of the Sun).
In the first, the director captures how the remains are transported from Switzerland to the deceased's hometown in Italy. This is a road movie that will be remembered for its sensitive, expressive heroes, subtle humor, ability to deeply grasp the themes of life and death, emigration and loss of one's roots.
"City of the Sun" is a somewhat gloomy reflection of a post-apocalyptic emptying city. Chiatura, located in western Georgia, is famous for the fact that almost half of the world's manganese, a vital metal, was mined here. However, the population is now much smaller, and living conditions have deteriorated. However, the daily struggle for existence, a better life and strength of spirit brings humanity and faith to the fore.
Tales from across the Atlantic
According to V. Levickaitė, the festival program also selected films that first interested the topic. This is "Zero Days" by the famous American director Alex Gibney (Zero Days). Cyber-attacks, security, state secrets - the film intrigues to find out what lies behind politicians' decisions and unanswered questions. According to A. Gibney, this film is one of his biggest challenges: there were only a few people who agreed to speak publicly.
Polish director Piotras Stasikas also offers to move to America. His film "21 x New York" (21 x New York) is a New York poem created by 21 heroes. The problems, desires, passions and hopes of each of them are harmoniously woven into the common fabric of this city.
"We believe that the versatility of the VDFF's main program will give viewers the opportunity not only to get to know the selection of new documentaries, but also to see the mysterious, different, but close to us lives of people," summarizes V. Levickaitė.
The festival will take place in Vilnius from September 21 to October 1. Klaipėda and in Ukmerge - October 6-8.
