Shorts Live-Action Competition 4 / 2020

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2020
Programme
Shorts Live-Action Competition

While Corona has given the entire human race a kind of collective tunnel vision, the live action competition of PÖFF Shorts in 2020 reminds us that many of the pressing issues of our times are still part of our society’s fabric with little hope of being washed away even with the strongest of disinfectants.

The films on offer here deal with identity, race, sexuality, gender, growing up, growing old, life, love, happiness, sadness and everything in between. Even without social distancing, the films reflect a divided world and people trying to come to terms with their places in a world that seems to change every second.

But while these films deal with troubled times they are suffused with hope for a better future. Not only through their narratives but by the fact that they showcase a myriad of talented filmmakers who will continue to tell important stories that speak to us all.

There is joy and sadness, love and laughter abound within this selection. Come and join in and now that the world is far from lonely.

Laurence Boyce and Tara Karajica

Films

Baltic premiere

History of Civilization

Local title
Tsivilisatsiooni ajalugu
Director
Zhannat Alshanova
Country
Kazakhstan
Year
2020

Indira decides to restart her life and move to London. However, on her last day, she dares to explore what she will leave behind.

Director
Zhannat Alshanova
Runtime
Language
Russian
Subtitles
English

World premiere

One Mango Please

Local title
Üks mango, palun
Director
Nadezhda Mikhalkova
Country
Russian Federation
Year
2020

Russia accepts a huge number of migrants who come by whatever means to earn money and find their place. Narak has come to Russia with her husband Sagda to earn money and help their relatives in Thailand.

Director
Nadezhda Mikhalkova
Runtime
Language
Russian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

White Eye

Local title
Valge silm
Director
Tomer Shushan
Country
Israel
Year
2019

A man finds his stolen bicycle and it now belongs to a stranger. In his attempts to retrieve the bicycle, he struggles to remain human.

Director
Tomer Shushan
Runtime
Language
Hebrew
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Red Ants Bite

Local title
Punased sipelgad hammustavad
Director
Elene Naveriani
Country
Switzerland, Georgia
Year
2019

In Georgia, two stranded Nigerians, Obinna and Afame, navigate the sleeping city of Tbilisi after a long night out. However, as day breaks the true colours of their ambiguous affection begin to show. In this way, they find solace despite their hostile environment.

Director
Elene Naveriani
Runtime
Language
Georgian, English
Subtitles
English

European premiere

I, Tony

Local title
Mina, Tony
Director
Argyro Nicolaou, Margaux Fitoussi
Country
Cyprus
Year
2019

Tony Moussoulides, once a famous fashion photographer in Swinging Sixties London, is now 85 years old and back home in Cyprus, where he dreams of creating a Hollywood-style movie based on his career. To do this, he asks for the help of two female filmmakers, who let Tony reenact—and direct—scenes from his life, including a photo shoot with Andy Warhol and a meeting with John Huston.

Director
Argyro Nicolaou, Margaux Fitoussi
Runtime
Language
Greek, English
Subtitles
English
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