Shorts Live-Action Competition 5 / 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

Carrie's Doing Great

Local title
Carrie'l läheb väga hästi
Director
Alex Salkicevic, Bryce Kraehenbuehl
Country
Australia
Year
2020

An aspiring video game artist uncovers a conspiracy that the local neighborhood watch are kidnapping the town's creatives and turning them into mindless civil servants.

Director
Alex Salkicevic, Bryce Kraehenbuehl
Runtime
Language
English

Baltic premiere

Mountain Cat

Local title
Mägikass
Director
Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir
Country
Mongolia
Year
2020

A troubled teenage girl is coerced into seeing a local shaman in search of spiritual healing. Trapped by ancient beliefs that serve only to pacify her mother, she finds peace in the physical realm by unleashing her repressed, youthful spirit on the unsuspecting shaman when she realises his true identity.

Director
Lkhagvadulam Purev-Ochir
Runtime
Language
Mongolian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

It's Nothing

Local title
Tühiasi
Director
Anna Maguire
Country
United Kingdom
Year
2019

Recent graduate, Robin, returns to her parents’ house and obsessively starts to dig a hole, encouraged by an impossibly perfect girl; but as she digs, she heads further down a path of self-destruction.

Director
Anna Maguire
Runtime
Language
English

Baltic premiere

The Lamb of God

Local title
Jumala tall
Director
David Pinheiro Vicente
Country
Portugal
Year
2020

The summer festivities of a Portuguese village are suffused with sensuality and violence in this enigmatic portrait of a tightly knit family.

Director
David Pinheiro Vicente
Runtime
Language
Portuguese
Subtitles
English

World premiere

Voices Apart

Local title
Kõrvalised hääled
Director
David Heinemann, Elvina Nevardauskaite
Country
Lithuania
Year
2020

Three Lithuanians reflect on the time when they first began to hear voices, and relive life-changing incidents they've experienced since. Torment or blessing? Each has a unique take on the condition. A documentary about living with the voices that set you apart.

Director
David Heinemann, Elvina Nevardauskaite
Runtime
Language
Lithuanian
Subtitles
English

International premiere

When I Dance, the Earth Trembles

Local title
Kui ma tantsin, siis maa väriseb
Original title
Wenn ich tanze, wackelt die Welt
Director
Otto Lazić-Reuschel
Country
Germany
Year
2020

Najib, Manu and Jörg have been living in Berlin for many years and are still struggling with the nature of the city. While wandering around Kreuzberg at dawn, a curious camera follows the characters in their (un)likely encounters. A chaotic bubble of different perspectives, destinies, languages and cultures nevertheless float into the everyday life of Berlin at the edge of night and day.

Director
Otto Lazić-Reuschel
Runtime
Language
German
Subtitles
English
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