Film programme 2022

Measure of a Man (2018)

Section: Top Teen Ten

Directed by: Jim Loach

United States of America, 2018, 100 min

Projection place: Castle SVOBODY

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This story follows Bobby, an under-confident, overweight 14-year-old New Yorker, as he navigates the challenging path to manhood during his summer at Rumson Lake in upstate New York, 1976. The dramatic thread of the story stems from the escalating threat of a local gang of townies, led by Willie, a tormented young veteran. Willie and his gang resent the summer vacationers who populate their community every year and prey on Bobby and his best friend Joanie, both outsiders and easy targets. As Bobby´s world goes through many changes, so does his relationship with his family and friends. This is especially true regarding Dr. Kahn, a reclusive surrogate fatherly presence who mentors Bobby through difficult times. The guidance Bobby receives from Dr. Kahn transforms him into a well-rounded young man, as well as giving Dr. Kahn a new unexpected confidant, a friend who helps him come to terms with the losses in his past.

The Hill of Secrets (2022)

Section: Festival Laurels from around the World

Directed by: Ji-eun LEE

South Korea, 2022, 122 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2

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A coming-of-age story about Myung-eun, an emotionally sensitive 12-year-old girl. Through the power of writing, she gradually gains a better understanding about herself and her family.

Finders of the Lost Yacht (2021)

Section: World Childrens Film Panorama

Directed by: Taavi Vartia

Finland, 2021, 86 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3

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Pertsa and Kilu face the horrid possibility of being separated as a result of Pertsa’s family’s financial problems. When the local bank and jeweler’s get robbed, they decide to retrieve the loot in hopes of a reward. In their quest, the two embark on boats, planes, and submarines, fighting to preserve their friendship.

Maika (2022)

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

Directed by: Ham Tran

Vietnam, 2022, 105 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4

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Things could be better for 8-year-old Hung, who is grieving the loss of his mother, who died a year ago. His relationship with his father is strained, his best friend is moving away, and to top it all off, a greedy landlord is bullying his father to force them out of their apartment. He finds solace by watching the night sky from the roof of his apartment building. One night, he witnesses a meteor shower and an errant falling star that lands in the nearby countryside. He investigates, but instead of finding a fallen star, he meets a new friend, and he decides to do everything he can to help her. MAIKA is inspired by the 1978 children’s TV show "Spadla z oblakov" that became extremely popular on constant reruns in Vietnam in the early '90s. With gorgeous scenery, a fast-paced narrative, and charismatic performances, this Vietnamese sci-fi film for kids is a fun-filled adventure that touches on universal themes of friendship, family, and compassion.

Scoundrels (2022)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category

Directed by: Aditya Sarpotdar

India, 2022, 120 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5

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Unaad is a coming-of-age story about three teenagers from Harne, a small coastal fishing town in Maharashtra. Shubya, Bandya, and Jameel are three friends who while away their time roaming around town and have no I am in life. The locals consider them the scoundrels of the town as these boys are known to get into trouble. This is the story of the phase in their lives that changes them forever.

Velvet Zlín (2022)

Section: Special Mention

Directed by: Petr Babinec

Czech Republic, 2022, 54 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6

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A documentary about the Velvet Revolution in Zlín told through its participants and interspersed with unique found historical footage.

Social Suicide (2015)

Section: Top Teen Ten

Directed by: Bruce Webb

United Kingdom, 2015, 92 min

Projection place: Castle SVOBODY

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A teen thriller about the devastating impact of one wrong post - loosely based on Romeo and Juliet. After a scared boy is arrested for the murder of two teenagers, he must convince the police of his innocence so that he can save his best friend from dying. However, his story is brought into question by his own internet history, the half-truths posted by concerned teenagers and messages beyond the dead from the victims themselves. When the police realize that one boy is willing to do anything for internet fame, even die, the stakes are raised in this nail-biting race-against-the-clock thriller

Comedy Queen (2022)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category, Patron of Children Audience Award

Directed by: Sanna Lenken

Sweden, 2022, 94 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3

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The story of 13-year-old Sasha, who, despite her immense sorrow, refuses to mourn her dead mother. She secretly writes a list of everything she must do to survive: shave her hair, stop reading books, say no to the world's cutest puppy and, above all, become a stand-up comedian to make everyone laugh, especially her father, who secretly cries in the shower when he thinks no one can hear him.

Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets (2021)

Section: Beyond the Childhood Horizon

Directed by: Yaniv Raz

United States of America, 2021, 110 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 4

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James Whitman (16) struggles to overcome anxiety and depression by seeking advice from Dr. Bird. In his magical realism inspired world, James goes on a whimsical, but emotionally charged search to solve the mystery of the disappearance of his sister after an altercation with their parents. While James struggles to connect with his parents, he deals with the intense social anxiety of high school life while navigating his first love with a precocious girl from school.

Kryštof (2021)

Section: New Czech Film and TV Programmes

Directed by: Zdeněk Jiráský

Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, 2021, 101 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5

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Krystof lives as a fresh postulant in a community of monks. With his brothers, he not only shares a world of contemplation, but also transfers people persecuted by the Communist regime across the border to Germany. One night, he witnesses the liquidation of his monk community and their transport. The place where he put his hopes and faith is destroyed, and now he is alone on the run. He understands that this is his last chance to rebel against a brutal political power and save a loved one.

Soul of a Beast (2021)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category

Directed by: Lorenz Merz

Switzerland, 2021, 110 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6

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In a delirious summer rush, teenage father Gabriel falls in love with the enigmatic Corey, the girlfriend of his best friend Joel. Overwhelmed with the decision of his life, Gabriel is catapulted into the unforgiving wilderness of his heart, where imagination is more real than reality. Director succeeds in treading the line between film genres - post-apocalyptic films, coming of age tales, Samurai sagas, etc. - without ever sliding into pure compilation.

Death on the Nile (2022)

Section: Open-Air Cinema

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh

United States of America, 2022, 127 min

Projection place: Open Air Cinema

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Moonbound (2021)

Section: World Childrens Film Panorama

Directed by: Ali Samadi Ahadi

Germany, Austria, 2021, 85 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1

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Sometimes it's better to listen to your sister! When Peter finds out one night that his younger sister Anna has disappeared, he realizes that her story about a talking bug was not made up. Anna was abducted by the evil Moon Man when she tried to help a bug, Mr. Zoomzeman. To save her, Peter must go to the moon. During his incredible adventure he must take part in a space race and get help for the festivities hosted by the Night Fairy at her castle in the clouds.

Bigman (2022)

Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category, Patron of Children Audience Award

Directed by: Camiel Schouwenaar

Netherlands, Germany, 2022, 90 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6

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Best friends Dylan and Youssef dream of becoming professional football players. When Dylan ends up in a wheelchair following an accident, he must come to terms with his new life. His dad – and former coach – wants him to accept his disability and keep football from his life, but Dylan is determined to play again. A story about true friendship and striving to win a final in the dying seconds of the game.

Best Birthday Ever (2021)

Section: World Childrens Film Panorama

Directed by: Michael Ekblad

Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, 2021, 75 min

Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2

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The story of Little Charlie, a small rabbit who lives with his loving family, and pets in a house at the edge of town. Like many 5-year olds, Little Charlie goes to a kindergarten and plays with his friends in the neighbourhood. He is used to having his parents’ full attention – but all that changes when his baby sister Clara is born, leading to an unexpected adventure with his best friend Monica.

The Jellyfish (2021)

Section: Brainz VR Cinema

Directed by: Mélodie Mousset, Edo Fouilloux

Switzerland, Denmark, 2021, 5 min

Projection place: Castle SVOBODY

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This interactive VR mini-game takes us between the ocean waves and a jellyfish colony. Using different colors and heights of your voice, you play an underwater symphony and do the dance of the veils of individual jellyfish.

The Miracle Basket (2021)

Section: Brainz VR Cinema

Directed by: Abner Preis

Netherlands, 2021, 14 min

Projection place: Castle SVOBODY

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A grandfather tells his grandson what it was like on Earth when people mainly fed on the fruits of nature. But then a ship came bearing the spirit of consumption, and everything started to fall apart... An unconventional post-apocalyptic view of our planet's problems.

The Sick Rose (2021)

Section: Brainz VR Cinema

Directed by: Tang Zhi-zhong, Huang Yun-hsien

Taiwan, 2021, 17 min

Projection place: Castle SVOBODY

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The whole country is engulfed in a pandemic. A little girl is unhappy that her mother has to go to the hospital every day to take care of the sick. But one day, Mommy does not come home from work. Will the girl find her in a city unrecognizably transformed?

The Starry Sand Beach (2021)

Section: Brainz VR Cinema

Directed by: Nina Barbier, Hsin-Chien Huang

France, Taiwan, 2021, 15 min

Projection place: Castle SVOBODY

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An immersive scientific fairy tale leads us to the primordial microorganisms of this planet – the Foraminifera.. There are three chapters in which the finest mysteries of the ocean and the greatest mysteries of the universe are revealed.

Poison (2021)

Section: Brainz VR Cinema

Directed by: Loseem Yi, Cooper Yoo

South Korea, 2021, 9 min

Projection place: Castle SVOBODY

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How viruses are created has been discussed in all media for the last two years. But what do viruses really want from us, how do they work, and how can we defend ourselves against them? In this VR project, the audience becomes a virus in order to answer their own burning questions.