Film programme 2021

Life without Sara Amat (2019)

Section: Part I.

Directed by: Laura Jou

Spain, 2019, 75 min

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Pep, a 13-year-old boy, is completely in love with Sara Amat, a girl from her grandparents' village. One summer night, Sara disappears, but Pep later finds her hidden in his own room. That's when the young woman explains that she has run away from home and asks to stay for a few days. Although Pep knows that the whole town is looking for her, he becomes her protector. Consequently, the boy is forced to live a double life: he must lie to everyone while satisfying Sara's demands, which puts him to the test and makes him mature before the summer's end.

Zip and Zap and the Captain´s Island (2016)

Section: Literature in Film - Comic Book Paradise

Directed by: Oskar Santos

Spain, 2016, 105 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 4

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This Christmas, naughty twins Zip and Zap have taken their old tricks too far. Their punishment will be a business trip with their parents to a distant island. But a terrifying storm rolls in and they never reach their destination. Seeking shelter, they find an enormous Victorian mansion which just happens to be a children’s home run by the apparently friendly Miss Pam, but nothing is as it seems…

Even Mice Belong to Heaven (2021)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category

Directed by: Denisa Grimmová, Jan Bubeníček

Czech Republic, France, Poland, Slovak Republic, 2021, 87 min

Projection place: Kongresové centrum

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Two enemies, the mouse Šupito and the fox Bělobřich, meet again (reluctantly) in the animal afterlife after an unfortunate event. With the absence of natural instincts and the unusual distance from earthly things, a friendly bond develops between them over time. Their desire to stay friends forever is fulfilled even after returning to earth, where they are inadvertently born in exchanged roles. Friendship can overcome even the seemingly impossible.

Moomins on the Riviera (2014)

Section: Literature in Film - Comic Book Paradise

Directed by: Hanna Hemilä, Xavier Picard

Finland, France, 2014, 76 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5

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The entire Moomins clan embarks on a hilarious adventure to the glamorous Riviera. Snorkmaiden is dazzled by the attention of a playboy and Moomin learns that jealousy’s sting can be terribly painful. When Moominpappa befriends an aristocrat and adopts the name ‘de Moomin’, an exasperated Moominmamma retires to the relative calm of their trusty old boat, to wait for her family to come to their senses. For the very first time, the unity of the Moomins is threatened.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)

Section: Literature in Film - Young Academy

Directed by: Tim Burton

United States of America, 2016, 128 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 2

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When his beloved grandfather leaves Jake (16) clues to a mystery that spans different worlds and times, he finds a magical place known as Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children. But the mystery and danger deepen as he gets to know the residents and learns about their special powers – and their terrifying enemies. Ultimately, Jake discovers that only his own special peculiarity can save his new friends.

Wind (2020)

Section: Panorama

Directed by: Dadren Wanggyal

China, 2020, 96 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 6

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Gelak is an illegitimate child, living with her mom Samdan alone in a distant Tibetan village, where women are not allowed to join the Sang Offering to the Sacred Mountain. Samdan has always relied on men for a living, and Gelak has been treated as a vicious witch by the villagers. Fed up with the prejudice she has to face growing up, Gelak decides to challenge the traditions and fight for herself…

The Hunger Games (2012)

Section: Literature in Film - The Club of Heroes

Directed by: Gary Ross

United States of America, 2012, 137 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 3

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In the ruins of the former North America lies Panem, whose capital is The Capitol, ruling over 12 disctricts. Each year a boy and a girl from each district are sent to the Capital to compete in The Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the game. She relies mainly on her instincts and faces opponents who have trained for combat all their lives. If Katniss is ever to return home, she must make fatal decisions in the arena.

Night of the Beast (2020)

Section: Panorama

Directed by: Mauricio Leiva Cock

Colombia, Mexico, 2020, 70 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 4

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Do you have the force to hold on to your Iron Maiden tickets? Using some of Iron Maiden’s most famous tracks, such as Aces High and The Trooper, Mauricio Leiva-Cock tells the story of two young metalheads coasting aimlessly through Bogota’s alleys on the day of Iron Maiden’s first-ever concert in Colombia. Their day is wrecked and their friendship is tested when hoodlums steal their most valued possession: the tickets to see their favorite band perform live.

Night Forest (2021)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category

Directed by: Andre Hörmann

Germany, 2021, 96 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5

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Paul and Max are best buddies. On the first day of their summer vacation, they sneak out of their homes and venture into the green wilderness that surrounds their little mountain village. They are on a mission to find a legendary cave hidden somewhere in the mountains. The boys follow the traces of Paul’s missing father Thomas, who is seen as a madman by everyone in the village. To find the path to the cave, the boys must decrypt Thomas' notes about an ancient local tale. Alone in the woods, both boys experience a newfound sense of freedom and light-heartedness. As they blaze their trails through the deep forest and steep mountains, the runaways face challenges far greater than they had imagined, leading them to face their greatest fears and discover more about each other and their very different home lives.

Sun Children (2020)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category

Directed by: Majid Majidi

Iran, 2020, 99 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 2

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In bustling Teheran, 12-year-old Ali and his friends, a gang of mischievous street children, are hired by a dangerous criminal to pull off a heist of buried treasure hidden close to a school. To gain access, the kids must enroll in school where, through education, they begin to discover a different treasure: the one within themselves.

Wolfwalkers (2020)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category

Directed by: Ross Stewart, Tomm Moore

Ireland, United States of America, 2020, 102 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 3

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In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the Wolfwalkers and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.

Dating Amber (2020)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category

Directed by: David Freyne

Ireland, 2020, 92 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5

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Set-in Ireland during the mid-90’s, Eddie and Amber (both 17) are in the closet about their sexuality and decide to stage a relationship in order to stop everyone speculating. Eddie is keen to follow his dad into the military, while Amber dreams of moving to the liberal hub of London. However, their ‘ideal’ arrangement begins to fall apart, forcing Eddie deeper into denial as Amber realises that a perilous future awaits her best friend unless she intervenes.

Sami, Joe and I (2020)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category

Directed by: Karin Heberlein

Switzerland, 2020, 94 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 6

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Sami, Joe and Leyla are an inseparable group of friends. Chatting and laughing, they roam through the suburbs of Zurich. The end of their time at school together should have been the start of an exciting summer, but the three youngsters have their hands full: Sami suffers under her overly strict parents, Joe has to look after her siblings, while her single mother works overtime, and Leyla nervously begins her apprenticeship in a canteen kitchen. For the teenage girls, tough decisions overshadow their dreams. In those defining days of their lives, their friendship seems to be the only constant. But as events take a harsh turn, even their friendship is put to the test. Determined to stand up for themselves, the three friends find out how right Leyla’s mom was when she told them: always keep more dreams in your soul than reality can destroy.

Follow the Light (2020)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category

Directed by: Yoichi Narita

Japan, 2020, 104 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5

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Akira is a junior high school student who moved to his father's hometown, Akita, after his parents’ divorce. He can't get used to his new school and his days are filled with depression and resentment. One day, however, Akira sees a "green light" floating in the sky. After following the light, he reaches a crop circle in the rice paddies, where he meets Maki, a classmate who has never been to school. With this secret in common, the two grow closer and their once gray lives begin to shine. Meanwhile, Akira and his friends' junior high school is on the verge of closing due to a lack of students caused by depopulation. What is the mysterious "green light" trying to tell Akira and his cohorts, while the world of adults is also in turmoil?

Sun Children (2020)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category

Directed by: Majid Majidi

Iran, 2020, 99 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 6

Score:

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In bustling Teheran, 12-year-old Ali and his friends, a gang of mischievous street children, are hired by a dangerous criminal to pull off a heist of buried treasure hidden close to a school. To gain access, the kids must enroll in school where, through education, they begin to discover a different treasure: the one within themselves.

Wolfwalkers (2020)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category

Directed by: Ross Stewart, Tomm Moore

Ireland, United States of America, 2020, 102 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 1

Score:

• Info

In a time of superstition and magic, a young apprentice hunter, Robyn Goodfellowe, journeys to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last wolf pack. While exploring the forbidden lands outside the city walls, Robyn befriends a free-spirited girl, Mebh, a member of a mysterious tribe rumored to have the ability to transform into wolves by night. As they search for Mebh’s missing mother, Robyn uncovers a secret that draws her further into the enchanted world of the Wolfwalkers and risks turning into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.

Elvis & Onerva (2019)

Section: Panorama

Directed by: Mikael Syrjälä

Finland, 2019, 70 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 6

Score:

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When Onerva moves to a small provincial town, she falls in love with her new classmate Elvis. It’s soon obvious to everyone that they have feelings for each other. One evening all the young people of the town go to party and Elvis and Onerva have a chance to be alone. Later, Elvis brags to his friends about the great sex they had – a lie that spreads like wildfire. When the rumours spread, it reveals the downside of peer pressure, strong group dynamics, and the need of acceptance.

Limecrime (2020)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category

Directed by: Seunghwan Lee, Jaewook Yoo

South Korea, 2020, 82 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5

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Songju raps during a high school music exam, but only his classmates appreciated it. The teacher gives him an F. Thanks to the performance, Songju gains a new admirer who, like him, loves hip-hop. While Songju comes from the poorer part of town and his best friends are gang members, the exemplary student Juyeon is from a wealthy family that leaves him to live alone in the company of their maid. Despite different living conditions, the boys become friends and, thanks to a common passion, form a hip-hop duo called Limecrime. After several successful club performances, they start to prove themselves. However, there are obstacles on their way up, especially from Songju's friends.

Last Film Show (2020)

Section: Panorama

Directed by: Pan Nalin

India, 2020, 100 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 3

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When 9-year-old Samay, living in a remote village in India, discovers films for the first time, he’s absolutely mesmerized. He goes to the cinema every day to watch more films, and even befriends the projectionist, who, in exchange for his lunch box, lets him watch movies for free. But when the cinema switches from 35mm film to digital, he and his friends move heaven and earth make their own film projector.

Valentina (2020)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category

Directed by: Cássio Pereira dos Santos

Brazil, 2020, 95 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema, sál 5

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Valentina wishes the only complications in her life were crushes on cute boys and fake IDs to go clubbing. But as a transgender teen in Brazil today, she faces significant social stigma and bureaucratic barriers. Her steadfast mum will do anything to smooth the path, so together they start over in a new town where nobody knows Valentina is trans. She becomes fast friends with a sweet gay guy and a pregnant computer nerd, but when they find themselves separated at a drunken party Valentina is harassed by someone who threatens to out her. However, with her steely support network and a maturity and resolve far beyond her years, she steamrollers the haters in this timely and transcendent drama.