Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action 4 (2021)

Festival
PÖFF Shorts 2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

Some people take the term ‘New Talents’ to indicate a certain lack of experience and competence. That the movies in the New Talents Live Action competition are somehow less refined and polished than others. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those in the know are aware that the term ‘New Talents’ means films with a freshness of vision, a precocious grasp of the language of cinema and a bold authorial voice which will resonate throughout the realms of the film industry over the years to come.

The filmmakers here explore many facets of the modern age – amongst them parenthood, the environment and capitalism – and do so in a way that reminds us of the tremendous power of short films. That despite relatively short running times, they tell us so much about human nature and the state of the world in which we live today.

With all the filmmakers in the selection having a commanding grasp of how to use the short form, the New Talents Live Action competition of 2021 becomes a rollercoaster ride of exhilarating storytelling and a collection of stunning filmmakers who everyone should keep an eye on as their rare talents develop even further as time goes on.

Competition presented by:

Films

International premiere

Arriving

Local title
Pärale jõudes
Director
Mohammad Reza Rasouli
Country
Austria
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

During their short ride together, a cab driver and his passenger, a young woman, are each consumed by their own worries and problems.

Director
Mohammad Reza Rasouli
Runtime
Language
German
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

We Will Be The Greatest

Local title
Me saame parimaks
Original title
Bićemo najbolji
Director
Jelena Vujović
Country
Switzerland
Year
2020
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

Kosovo 1998: When Dunja, a young Serbian woman, finds out that she is pregnant she decides to run away to her aunt in Switzerland. Amir, her secret Albanian boyfriend, promises to follow as soon as possible.

Director
Jelena Vujović
Runtime
Language
German, Serbian, Albanian, Swiss German
Subtitles
English

World premiere

Operator Victoria

Local title
Operaator Victoria
Director
Anna Sobolevska
Country
Ukraine
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

Victoria is a call center operator for the Psychological Support Service. She lives with a drug addict partner and dreams of reconciliation with her son, who is temporarily raised by her mother. When her partner steals the only money they’ve had and disappears, and her mother announces she’s about to sue for the child’s custody, Victoria decides that the only one way out is to commit suicide. However, at the very edge between life and death, she finds the true path to herself.

Director
Anna Sobolevska
Runtime
Language
Ukrainian
Subtitles
English

Baltic premiere

Summer Planning

Local title
Suveplaanid
Original title
PLANURI DE VACANTA
Director
Alexandru Mironescu
Country
Romania
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

All Andrei wants is to leave on a summer camp with his friends, once the school year is over. Meanwhile, his parents are caught up with their divorce.

Director
Alexandru Mironescu
Runtime
Language
Romanian
Subtitles
English
Trailer

Baltic premiere

Mother in the Mist

Local title
Ema udus
Director
Kay Niuyue Zhang
Country
China, USA
Year
2021
Programme
Shorts New Talents Competition: Live-action

Following Wuhan’s Coronavirus lockdown, a rural single mother, Zhao, embarks on a dangerous journey in search of her preemie newborn baby stranded in Wuhan City Hospital. Against a harsh, grim winter night, she trudges through trials and tribulations, fighting a way around checkpoints. Joining her path is a mysterious eight-year-old girl, who shares the same determination to reunite with her mother in the city. Surprisingly, as Zhaogoes through bureaucratic and physical obstacles, we notice that the little girl has information and solutions just as Zhao needs them. When Zhao finally almost gets to Wuhan, we realize things are not as it seems...Will Zhao find her baby? And who is this mysterious little girl?

Director
Kay Niuyue Zhang
Runtime
Language
Chinese
Subtitles
English
Trailer
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