Barley Fields on the Other Side of the Mountain (2017)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: Tian Tsering
United Kingdom, 2017, 88 min
Projection place: Castle SVOBODY
Score:
A story about the price of freedom and who pays for it told through the eyes of a teenage girl. Sixteen-year-old Pema lives in the remote mountains of Tibet. For generations, her family has farmed their barley fields in peace. But when Pema's father is taken away by the authorities, her world is shattered. A Buddhist nun from the local nunnery walks into Pema's life and invites her to join a group of locals escaping persecution by walking over the Himalayas into India. Pema is torn; can she leave her mother, grandmother and younger siblings at this time of crisis? Does she have the right, or the courage, to join her friend and seek a new life for herself? As Pema struggles with her dilemma, there is no news about her imprisoned father. The clock is ticking for everyone
Olga (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category, Patron of Children Audience Award
Directed by: Elie Grappe
France, Switzerland, Ukraine, 2021, 86 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
2013. Olga, a talented and passionate 15-year-old Ukrainian gymnast, goes to Switzerland, where she tries to secure a place in the National Sports Centre. In Kiev, however, the Euromaidan suddenly breaks out, and her relatives are in the middle of it. As the young girl must adapt to a new country and prepare for the European Championships, the Ukrainian revolution enters her life and upends everything…
When Pomegranates Howl (2020)
Section: Festival Laurels from around the World , Patron of Children Audience Award
Directed by: Granaz Moussavi
Afghanistan, Australia, Iran, Netherlands, 2020, 83 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Hewad, a 9-year-old boy, supports his family by selling goods from a cart on the harsh streets of Kabul after the death of his father. At home he faces the challenge of the forced marriage of his mother to his uncle. He dreams of escaping this existence by becoming a famous actor and this dream seems more possible when he befriends an Australian photojournalist who starts documenting his life in this war-torn society.
The Path (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category, Patron of Children Audience Award
Directed by: Tobias Wiemann
Germany, 2022, 99 min
Projection place: Congress Centre
Score:
A story about an adventurous crossing of the Pyrenees and the unexpected friendship of two children who couldn’t be more unalike. Young Rolf and his father flee Berlin to escape the Nazis. All Rolf took with him was a dog and a signed book by Erich Kästner. Now in the south of France, their destination is New York, where Rolf's mother is waiting for them. The only way to freedom a steep path over the Pyrenees, and their guide, Nuria, is only slightly older than Rolf. But the boy's father is captured and the kids must continue their dangerous journey into the unknown alone.
Besties (2021)
Section: Beyond the Childhood Horizon
Directed by: Desseigne Ravel Marion
France, 2021, 80 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Paris. Nedjma, a teenager living with her mom and sister, spends the summer with her gang. Her life is turned upside down when she meets Zina, from another gang. Rivals in broad daylight; they are lovers in secret. Nedjma is sucked into a spiral, torn apart between the values of the hood and her own desire, which no one around her can possibly understand or tolerate. She will have to make a choice that will ultimately define who she is.
Mikado (2021)
Section: Festival Laurels from around the World
Directed by: Emanuel Parvu
Romania, Czech Republic, 2021, 96 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
One day, teenaged Magda offers her expensive necklace to a sick child in a hospital where she volunteers. Her father is sure she's lying again. When she proves her innocence, her father feels guilty, but is also unable to admit that he was wrong. Relationships are damaged and in chaos... Prior decisions have irreversible results.
The Path (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category, Patron of Children Audience Award
Directed by: Tobias Wiemann
Germany, 2022, 99 min
Projection place: Congress Centre
Score:
A story about an adventurous crossing of the Pyrenees and the unexpected friendship of two children who couldn’t be more unalike. Young Rolf and his father flee Berlin to escape the Nazis. All Rolf took with him was a dog and a signed book by Erich Kästner. Now in the south of France, their destination is New York, where Rolf's mother is waiting for them. The only way to freedom a steep path over the Pyrenees, and their guide, Nuria, is only slightly older than Rolf. But the boy's father is captured and the kids must continue their dangerous journey into the unknown alone.
Giant Little Ones (2018)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: Keith Behrman
Canada, 2018, 94 min
Projection place: Castle SVOBODY
Score:
A heartfelt and intimate coming-of-age story about friendship, self-discovery and the power of love without labels. Adolescents face enormous pressure to make life-defining decisions every day and they want to lock in their identities sooner than later. All of this pressure is exacerbated by physical and social changes. Franky is under more pressure than most. His life was altered when his father left his mother for a man. Franky is left confused and angry toward his father for breaking up the family. Things are further confused for Franky when his wild birthday party ends in a sexual encounter no one could have imagined, including his best friend and girlfriend. As Franky's world crumbles, he and his friends are forced to decide what kind of people they want to be.
My Brothers Dream Awake (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category
Directed by: Claudia Huaiquimilla
Chile, 2021, 85 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Ángel and his younger brother Franco have been incarcerated in a juvenile prison for a year. Despite the difficulties, they have formed a solid group of friends with whom they spend their days sharing dreams of freedom. Everything changes when the arrival of a rebellious young man offers a possible escape: the only door to make those dreams come true. Inspired by many true events.
Keeper (2015)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: Guillaume Senez
Belgium, Switzerland, France, 2015, 95 min
Projection place: Castle SVOBODY
Score:
Maxime and Mélanie are in love. Together they clumsily explore their sexuality with fiery curiosity until the day Mélanie realizes she´s pregnant. At first Maxime takes the news badly, but then he gets used to the idea of becoming a father. He convinces Melanie to keep the baby. So it´s been decided - Maxime and Mélanie, all of fifteen years old, are going to become parents
The Sign Painter (2020)
Section: New Czech Film and TV Programmes
Directed by: Viesturs Kairišs
Latvia, Czech Republic, Lithuania, 2020, 118 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
A tragicomic drama of love and loss and the story of a man who, in a short space of time, finds himself gradually in the midst of three totalitarian regimes: the authoritarian state of pre-war Latvia and, during the war, the era of communism and Nazism. The absurd and grotesque situation, Kafkaesque atmosphere, great love for two women, important moral decisions accompany the main hero throughout the cruel and lyrical history of last century's Eastern Europe.
The Pack (2020)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: Tomáš Polenský
Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovak Republic, 2020, 94 min
Projection place: Castle SVOBODY
Score:
Ice skates cut the ice. Silhouettes of hockey players swirl in the spray of the frost, and sharp scratches remain on the ice behind them. Talented goalkeeper David (16) is joining a new team. He will do everything in his power to make a name for himself in the Wolves hockey team. But the position of the current goalkeeper Miky (16) seems unshakable. In addition, Miky is the son of a coach. David really doesn't fit in with the Wolves. Maybe it's the small plastic box that pumps insulin into his body. But David will not be defeated by diabetes. He is an outsider in the team and faces an avalanche of bullying. Those who do not attack also do no not help. David tries to fight, but the result is even worse. Pushes, injuries and humiliations pile on each other like the spiral scars of tracks engraved by ice skates. What will David do?
The Auschwitz Report (2020)
Section: New Czech Film and TV Programmes
Directed by: Peter Bebjak
Czech Republic, Germany, Slovak Republic, 2020, 94 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
World War II, April 7, 1944. A normal day for thousands of prisoners in Auschwitz, but a small group is preparing to flee. At the evening count, Fredy and Valér are hidden in a pit under a pile of beams. Unbetrayed, they stay three days until the Germans stop looking for them. Then they set off to their native land, to the territory of Czechoslovakia. If they make it, they will tell the world of the hell that is Auschwitz – but will the world believe them?
Olga (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category, Patron of Children Audience Award
Directed by: Elie Grappe
France, Switzerland, Ukraine, 2021, 86 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
2013. Olga, a talented and passionate 15-year-old Ukrainian gymnast, goes to Switzerland, where she tries to secure a place in the National Sports Centre. In Kiev, however, the Euromaidan suddenly breaks out, and her relatives are in the middle of it. As the young girl must adapt to a new country and prepare for the European Championships, the Ukrainian revolution enters her life and upends everything…
A Second Life (2021)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category, Patron of Children Audience Award
Directed by: Anis Lassoued
Tunisia, 2021, 93 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Twelve-year-old Gadeha enjoys a carefree life with his friends until he has a serious traffic accident. But his mother can't afford his medical treatment. The random people she meets at the hospital help her financially, and Gadeha survives. After his recovery, he and his family end up moving to the new home of their donors. There he discovers that their same-aged son Oussam was seriously ill, but he is now returning home. The boys quickly bond and have a great time together. Gadeha is able to stop worrying for a moment about his father, who emigrated from Tunisia to Europe and he hasn't communicated with for a long time. However, the secret that Gadeha's mother is keeping to herself begins to disturb this new life. It's a secret with implications for everyone.
Californie (2021)
Section: Festival Laurels from around the World
Directed by: Alessandro Cassigoli, Casey Kauffman
Italy, France, 2021, 81 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
A unique coming-of-age story filmed over the course of five years of life of Moroccan girl Jamila (from 9 to 14 years of age) who lives in a port city in southern Italy. Rebellious, feisty and street-smart, Jamila has a lot of potential. However, she has to deal with a difficult life. Her mother loses her job and Jamila drops out from middle school. The dream of returning one day to her home country and her job at “Californie” beauty salon push the girl forward.
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
Score:
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.
The Pack (2020)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: Tomáš Polenský
Czech Republic, Latvia, Slovak Republic, 2020, 94 min
Projection place: Castle SVOBODY
Score:
Ice skates cut the ice. Silhouettes of hockey players swirl in the spray of the frost, and sharp scratches remain on the ice behind them. Talented goalkeeper David (16) is joining a new team. He will do everything in his power to make a name for himself in the Wolves hockey team. But the position of the current goalkeeper Miky (16) seems unshakable. In addition, Miky is the son of a coach. David really doesn't fit in with the Wolves. Maybe it's the small plastic box that pumps insulin into his body. But David will not be defeated by diabetes. He is an outsider in the team and faces an avalanche of bullying. Those who do not attack also do no not help. David tries to fight, but the result is even worse. Pushes, injuries and humiliations pile on each other like the spiral scars of tracks engraved by ice skates. What will David do?
Sublime (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category
Directed by: Mariano Biasin
Argentina, 2022, 100 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Manuel (16) lives in a small coastal town. He plays bass in a band with his best friends. One of them is Felipe, with whom he’s been good friends since childhood. Manuel is dating Azul, a relationship that they are intensely exploring. But when it comes time to have their first time together, Manuel feels something completely new that makes him see Felipe with different eyes. The routines of their friendship change tenor. Manuel tries to figure out if the impulse is mutual. The challenge is in not putting their friendship at risk. Something that inevitably ends up being tested.
Black (2016)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah
Belgium, 2016, 95 min
Projection place: Castle SVOBODY
Score:
Mavela, a 15-year-old black teenager was a misfit until she encountered the Black Bronx, a well-known gang of young Africans. She feels at home in the gang: accepted. She has friends now, who get her mixed up in street life. For the very first time, Mavela feels like she belongs. In return, she quickly learns that Black Bronx is a lifetime commitment; once a gang member, always a gang member. And she has no intention of leaving. One day, however, she meets Marwan. He´s Moroccan and a member of the 1080s, another teenage gang and the enemy of the Black Bronx gang. It´s love at first sight, but a dangerous Romeo and Juliet story now begins