The Edge of Seventeen (2016)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films for Youth
Directed by: Kelly Fremon
U.S.A., 2016, 104 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
A new coming-of-age movie in the vein of Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club – an honest, candid, often hilarious look at what it's like to grow up as a young woman in today's modern world. Everyone knows that growing up is hard, and life is no easier for high school junior Nadine, who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian starts dating her best friend Krista. All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all.
That Time Together (2017)
Section: Czech Films and TV
Directed by: Marta Santovjáková Gerlíková, Jiří Novotný
Czech Republic, 2017, 75 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
This is the story of a young Jewish girl, Tereza Zágorová, who finds shelter from deportation in the Wallachian hills; her family has already been taken. Tereza tries to fit into her new environment and learns how life in the village is different from the city. But the wartime period also reaches the countryside and the girl must be careful to hide her secrets.
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
Section: Panorama
Directed by: Taika Waititi
New Zealand, 2016, 101 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2
Score:
Raised on hip-hop and foster care, defiant city kid Ricky gets a fresh start in the New Zealand countryside. He quickly finds himself at home with his new foster family: the loving Aunt Bella, the cantankerous Uncle Hec, and dog Tupac. When a tragedy strikes that threatens to ship Ricky to another home, both he and Hec go on the run in the bush. As a national manhunt ensues, the newly branded outlaws must face their options: go out in a blaze of glory or overcome their differences and survive as a family.
London Town (2016)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films for Youth
Directed by: Derrick Borte
U.K., U.S.A., 2016, 91 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
Experience the music and energy of the 1970's punk underground. When 15-year-old Shay hears the music of The Clash for the first time, it’s a revelation, opening up a new world of social consciousness and anti-establishment defiance beyond anything he’s known in his dead-end London suburb. Drawn into the heart of the city’s burgeoning punk scene, he forges two relationships that will change his life: falling in love with rebellious cool girl Vivian and finding an unexpected connection with none other than The Clash’s electrifying frontman, Joe Strummer. Propelled by a blistering soundtrack that bounces from The Clash to The Ramones to Buzzcocks, London Town captures the sound and spirit of a scene that shook the world.
The Land (2016)
Section: Night Horizons
Directed by: Steven Caple Jr.
U.S.A., 2016, 104 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
A vivid inner-city saga set amidst Cleveland's hip-hop underground. Teenage buddies Cisco, Junior, Boobie, and Patty Cake shrug off school to practice skateboarding, which they hope will be their ticket to a better life. In the meantime, they steal cars to finance their dream. But when they get mixed up in a drug deal and cross a ruthless crime queen-pin, they put their friendship--and lives--on the line. Set to a choice hip-hop soundtrack and featuring an impressive ensemble cast that includes The Wire's Michael K. Williams, Erykah Badu, and rapper Machine Gun Kelly, The Land crackles with the energy and poetry of the streets.
The Lowbrow Family (2017)
Section: Czech Films and TV
Directed by: Biser Arichtev
Czech Republic, 2017, 28 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
Our story takes us back to Castle Oreb, where friendly ghosts live with the horrible Mazal family. It's not easy living with the Mazal family, especially when the castle lords Hugo and Růžena haven't given up their desire to get rich. A little older but still unbearable are their children; Hugo Jr. only thinks of himself and Pavlinka is still caught up with new trends. But the ghosts have another problem. They haven't managed to organize the fairy-tale symposium and the fairy-tale book of spells is lost; the book mustn't get into the wrong hands. And it's more than clear that the Mazals would love to get their hands on such a book.
Hugo and Josefin (1967)
Section: Days of Swedish Cinema
Directed by: Kjell Grede
Sweden, 1967, 82 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
A drama based on the books by the acclaimed children's author Maria Gripe follows Hugo and Josephine, two children from different backgrounds who strike up an unlikely friendship with a visiting gardener after meeting in the woods near Josephine's home.
The Brothers Lionheart (1977)
Section: Days of Swedish Cinema
Directed by: Olle Hellbom
Sweden, 1977, 102 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Nine-year old Karl Lejon, 'Skorpan' suffers from tuberculosis and knows that he will die soon. But his older brother Jonathan tries to comfort him by promising that they one day will meet in Nangijala, a magic country beyond the stars. Jonathan dies soon after in a house fire and Skorpan also passes away not long after. They meet in Nangijala, a country divided into the Cherry Blossom Valley and the Briar-Bush Valley. The people in the later are oppressed by the black knight Tengil and his dragon Katla. The two brothers, who now call themselves Jonathan and Karl Lion Heart, decide to help the freedom fighters against the oppression.
Clara and the Secret of the Bears (2012)
Section: Welcome to Switzerland
Directed by: Tobias Ineichen
Switzerland, 2012, 93 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Clara (13) lives with her mother and her stepfather on a remote farm in the Swiss Alps. Clara’s sensitivity and her strong connection with nature enable her to see and feel things others cannot perceive. Only in Thomas (12), does Clara find a confidant. Through the discovery of an ancient girl’s shoe, Clara gets in touch with Susanna, a girl who lived on the farm two centuries ago. Susanna is deeply troubled: her father has captured a bear cub and – according to an age-old legend – a curse falls upon those who do wrong against bears. Past and present are more closely linked than one might think. Clara senses that there is a curse on the old farm. And she knows that she is the only one who can lift it.
Bag of Marbles (2016)
Section: Panorama
Directed by: Christian Duguay
France, 2016, 110 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2
Score:
This film follows the experiences of two young Jewish boys living in France during World War II. When Joseph Joffo was ten years old, his father gave him and his brother Maurice some money and a map and sent them on a dangerous mission to escape Nazi-occupied Paris in 1941. Making their way to the demilitarized zone in the South, the boys become unavoidably caught up in the whirlwind of war. Aided by the occasional kind soul, the two young boys swerve and dart through obstacles set by Nazi soldiers in order to avoid succumbing to the dreadful fate of so many others in this situation.
Summer 1993 (2017)
Section: International Competition of European First Films
Directed by: Carla Simon Pipó
Spain, 2017, 96 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
In the summer 1993, following the death of her parents, 6-year-old Frida moves from Barcelona to the Catalan province to live with her aunt and uncle, who are now her new legal guardians. The country life is a challenge for Frida – time passes differently in her new home and the nature that surrounds her is mysterious and estranging. She now has a little sister for whom she has to take care of and has to deal with new feelings, such as jealousy. Often, Frida is naively convinced that running away would be the best solution to her problems. Yet, the family does what it can to achieve a fragile new balance and bring normality to their life. Occasional family outings to a local fiesta or a swimming pool, cooking or listening to jazz in the garden bring them moments of happiness. Slowly, Frida realizes that she is there to stay and has to adapt to the new environment. Before the season is over, she has to cope with her emotions and her new parents have to learn to love her as their own daughter.
Jimmie (2008)
Section: Welcome to Switzerland
Directed by: Tobias Ineichen
Switzerland, 2008, 90 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Kathy is a single mother who is reluctant to have her 17-year-old autistic son Jimmie return to a home. After he completes school, she takes him in, even though everyone dissuades her from doing so. Painful though it is, she is forced to accept that her proximity to Jimmie does not have the desired effect for his progress. On the contrary, his reactions to the unfamiliar situation are fierce, taking her to her limits time and again. The only thing that makes Jimmie feel comfortable is swimming: his greatest passion. When the swim coach discovers his talent, new prospects seem to open for him.
Fanny and Alexander (1982)
Section: Days of Swedish Cinema
Directed by: Ingmar Bergman
Sweden, France, 1982, 188 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
Fanny and Alexander Ekdahl belong to a prosperous theatrical family in Uppsala at the beginning of the twentieth century. Oskar Ekdahl, their father, falls ill during the Christmas season and passes away, leaving their mother Emilie devastated. Shortly afterwards she marries Edvard Vergerus, a rigid and demanding bishop. The two children are deeply unhappy in their cheerless new home – especially the imaginative and stubborn Alexander, who constantly butts heads with his new stepfather. Isak, a Jewish antique shop owner and longtime friend of the Ekdahl family, agrees to help with a risky scheme to rescue the children and return them to the Ekdahl family residence.
Little Harbour (2017)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films for Children
Directed by: Iveta Grófová
Slovak Republic, Czech Republic, 2017, 85 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2
Score:
A story inspired by true events about two children whose innocent play will change their lives forever. For Lucia, Jarka is nothing more than a best friend. Ten-year-old Jarka doesn’t see it that way though. She would much rather have her mom try to be a mother instead. Jarka dreams of having a real family and a house by the sea. Left on her own, she stumbles upon twin infants abandoned at the train station and decides to take them in. Her grandmother’s enchanted garden becomes a safe haven where she can take on the role of a parent together with her neighbour Kristian, who himself suffers from overprotective parents. In an impressive manner, the two prove how loving true affection and an awareness of responsibility can look when individuals hold tight to their dreams without disappointing those closest to them.
Bag of Marbles (2016)
Section: Panorama
Directed by: Christian Duguay
France, 2016, 110 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
This film follows the experiences of two young Jewish boys living in France during World War II. When Joseph Joffo was ten years old, his father gave him and his brother Maurice some money and a map and sent them on a dangerous mission to escape Nazi-occupied Paris in 1941. Making their way to the demilitarized zone in the South, the boys become unavoidably caught up in the whirlwind of war. Aided by the occasional kind soul, the two young boys swerve and dart through obstacles set by Nazi soldiers in order to avoid succumbing to the dreadful fate of so many others in this situation.
Eskil and Trinidad (2013)
Section: Days of Swedish Cinema
Directed by: Stephan Apelgren
Sweden, 2013, 98 min
Projection place: Aula
Score:
Eskil's dad repairs power plants, which means the family often travels from place to place. As soon as the boy makes friends, he's got to move to another power plant. It's also difficult for him because Eskil's mom doesn't go with them. She’s rejected this nomadic way of life around the cold north. Fortunately, hockey is played everywhere, which Eskil plays to the delight of his father, an ex-professional player. He’s not exactly the best shooter, so he's mulling over whether it’s worth it to get a hockey injury for nothing. He's much more interested in sailing – especially in the boat being built headed for Trinidad.
Leaps and Bounds (2007)
Section: Days of Swedish Cinema
Directed by: Petter Næss
Sweden, 2007, 89 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
Brothers Azad and Tigris get separated from their parents when war breaks out in their Middle-eastern country. Along with other refugees, they eventually get to Sweden, where they must impersonate someone else's children. But life in a foreign country – without parents, friends and those who understand them – is not easy. The dream of a family reunion in Sweden gradually disappears. But if one believes that anything is possible, they can succeed. With the help of an eccentric hot dog vendor, true love, and Azar's championship hopes in jumping, both boys find new life.
On Wheels (2017)
Section: Panorama
Directed by: Mauro D'Addio
Brazil, 2017, 72 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Thirteen-year-old Lucas has just returned to school after a long absence. A car accident has left him in a wheelchair, without the use of his legs. To raise his spirits his parents give him a motorized wheelchair as an early birthday present and he begins to see the benefits of his new chair. Lais, wants to meet her father, whom her mother refers to "the deceased", though Lais believes he's still alive. When Lais receives a tip about her father's possible whereabouts, she and Lucas set off to find him. Travelling a long distance and encountering many challenges on the way, their journey becomes an inspiring demonstration of the power of friendship, teamwork, and inner strength.
Tsatsiki, mum and policeman (1999)
Section: Days of Swedish Cinema
Directed by: Ella Lemhagen
Sweden, 1999, 91 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
Eight-year-old "Tsatsiki" lives with his mother, a rock singer, in Stockholm. He's never met his father, a Greek fisherman who doesn't even know he's got a son. Tsatsiki's dream is to go to Greece and find his father because he doesn't like his mum's current boyfriend, the group's guitarist. But when his real father's not around, is there someway for Tsatsiki to choose another one for himself?
Iris (2011)
Section: Days of Swedish Cinema
Directed by: Ulrika Bengts
Finland, Sweden, 2011, 90 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4
Score:
The year is 1890. Iris is 8 years old and lives in Stockholm with her mother, who is an artist. Iris is precocious and experienced in the ways of the world. She feels at home among her mother´s modern artist friends. Now she is waiting for the big adventure; Ester´s exhibition in Paris. On the day of the departure, Iris is shocked to find out that she will not be going to Paris. When the proposed child minders cannot look after her as planned, she is sent by mail boat to Åland; a place she knows nothing about, but where she will learn to know her roots and become the child she has not been.