A Film by Agnieszka Holland (MR. JONES, SPOOR, IN DARKNESS, TOTAL ECLIPSE, THE SECRET GARDEN)
2020 - Czech Republic/Ireland/Poland/Slovakia - Drama - 2.35 - 118 min
with Ivan Trojan, Josef Trojan, Juraj Loj
Inspired by the true story of herbalist Jan Mikolasek, who dedicated his life to caring for the sick in spite of the immense obstacles he faced in his private and public life. Born at the turn of the 20th century, Mikolasek wins fame and fortune using unorthodox treatment methods to cure a wide range of diseases. Already a local institution in Czechoslovakia before World War II, the healer gains in reputation and wealth whether during the Nazi occupation or under the Communist rule. One after the other, every regime will want to use his skills and in return gives him protection. But how high shall be the costs to maintain this status as the tide turns?
Exclusive first promo available at the booth
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SUK SUK |
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A Film by Ray Yeung
2019 - Hong Kong - Drama - 2.35 - 92 min
with Bo Tai, Ben Yuen, Patra Ga Man Au
Pak is a 70-year-old taxi driver who lives with his wife. His son is happily married with a child, and his daughter is pregnant and about to be married. Hoi lives with his devout Christian son and family after he divorced his wife. The two men, who have lived all their lives never revealing their sexual identities, meet by chance in the streets of Hong Kong. As Pak and Hoi fall in love they contemplate a possible future together.
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5 GOLDEN HORSE
NOMINATIONS |
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SCREENING
| SAT |
NOV |
9th |
11:30 AM |
AMC SANTA MONICA - 4
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LUNANA: A YAK IN THE CLASSROOM |
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A Film by Pawo Choyning Dorji
2019 - Bhutan - Drama - 2.35 - 109 min
with Sherab Dorji, Ugyen Norbu Lhendup, Kelden Lhamo Gurung
Struggling with his profession as a teacher, Ugyen is sent to Lunana in northern Bhutan for his final year of training. The high altitude and the lack of amenities make Ugyen want to leave as soon as he arrives. With a warm welcome the local children try to win him over but they don’t have much time as the harsh winter is about to arrive in the glacial parts of the Himalaya…
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SCREENING
| THU |
NOV |
7th |
3:00 PM |
ARCLIGHT - 1
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JEUNE JULIETTE |
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A Film by Anne Emond
Produced by Metafilms inc.
2019 - Canada - Comedy/Drama - 1.78 - 93 min
with Alexane Jamieson, Léanne Désilets, Antoine Desrochers
Meet Juliette, a high school sophomore. Juliette is a heavy girl; she’s also bold, funny, slightly scheming and totally endearing. It’s the hectic last few weeks before summer vacation, and Juliette is about to learn some big lessons about boys, love, and friendship. She’ll even do some growing up—but not too much.
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SCREENING
| SUN |
NOV |
10th |
11:00 AM |
LAEMMLE MONICA FILM CENTER - 1
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PELICAN BLOOD |
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A Film by Katrin Gebbe (NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN)
Produced by Junafilm
2019 - Germany/Bulgaria - Drama - 2.39 - 120 min
with Nina Hoss (PHOENIX, HOMELAND), Murathan Muslu
Wiebke (45) lives together with her adoptive daughter Nicolina (9) on an idyllic horse farm. After many years of waiting, she now has the chance to adopt another girl, Raya (5), to provide Nicolina with the longed-for sister. The first weeks are harmonious, and the siblings get along great. But shortly thereafter, Wiebke realizes that Raya, initially shy and charming, is becoming increasingly aggressive and poses a danger to herself and others. The mother will soon have to cross borders and take extreme decisions to protect her cubs.
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FANTASTIC FEST 2019
BEST DIRECTOR |
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"An endlessly intriguing drama […] Nina Hoss anchors this tense drama" - Screen International
"A provocatively and defying drama with a grandiose Nina Hoss" - Filmstarts.de (Germany)
"Raises a lot of fascinating questions" - The Hollywood Reporter
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INSTINCTOSCAR ENTRY 2020 - THE NETHERLANDS |
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A Film by Halina Reijn
Produced by Topkapi Film, Man Up
2019 - Netherlands - Drama/Thriller - 2.39 - 98 min
with Carice van Houten (GAME OF THRONES, BLACK BOOK), Marwan Kenzari (ALADDIN)
Nicoline, an experienced psychologist, starts a new job at a penal institution. She meets Idris, a sex offender who committed a series of grave crimes. After five years of treatment, he is about to go on his first unaccompanied probation. His team of practitioners is enthusiastic about his development but newcomer Nicoline does not trust him and tries to push his probation. Idris tries his hardest to convince Nicoline of his good intentions, while slowly, he transforms into the manipulative man she saw in him from the beginning. A power play emerges between the two and Nicoline, in spite of her knowledge and experience, lets herself be trapped completely.
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PIAZZA GRANDE
VARIETY AWARD |
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LOCARNO 2019
BEST 1ST FEATURE
SPECIAL MENTION |
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"Impressive, icily disciplined debut feature […] Van Houten and Kenzari are astonishing, both individually and as a crashing, combustible unit." - Variety
"An ambitious and auspicious debut" - The Hollywood Reporter
"Instinct remains an aesthetically enthralling film" - Cineuropa
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VERDICTOSCAR ENTRY 2020 - THE PHILIPPINES |
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A Film by Raymund Ribay Gutierrez
Produced by Brillante Ma Mendoza
2019 - Philippines/France - Drama - 1.78 - 126 min
with Max Eigenmann, Kristoffer King
Joy and her six-year-old daughter Angel live in Manila, with her husband, Dante, a small-time criminal. As so often in the past, Dante comes home drunk at night and beats Joy brutally. This time, he also hurts Angel. Joy grabs her daughter and flees to the local police post to finally get him sent to jail. Joy learns that justice takes time at best, and is impossible to get at worst. Not without reason, she feels that she and her daughter are increasingly under threat…
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VENICE 2019
SPECIAL JURY PRIZE |
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"An engrossing and sophisticated procedural with universal audience appeal" - Variety
"Heart-wrenching" - Screen International
"Aggressive, politically fueled portrait with carefully portioned subtlety." - The Playlist
"A terse narrative made up of strong images." - Cinematographe
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THE HERITAGE OF PINA BAUSCH |
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A Film by Anne Linsel
2019 - Germany - Documentary - 1.85
In June 2009 Pina Bausch died surprisingly. She left behind an international acclaimed dance company which needed to reinvent itself. But how can Pina’s work be passed on and how can her heritage be kept alive? 10 years after her death the company, the new director and important companions of Pina Bausch take the chance to look ahead.
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