Thu 01.06.2023 | 08:20Katak, the Brave Beluga (2023)
Section: World Children´s Film Panorama
Directed by: Christine Dallaire-Dupont, Nicola Lemay
Canada, 2023, 82 min
Projection place: Aula
Score:
InfoWhile his peers have all turned white, as expected at their age, young beluga Katak is still small and grey. To prove that he has grown up and to grant the last wish of his adored grandma, Katak departs on a perilous journey to the Great North…
Thu 01.06.2023 | 08:40Juniors (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category (over 11 years of age)
Directed by: Hugo Thomas
France, 2022, 95 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
Fourteen-year-old boys Jordan and Patrick live in a small village in the south of France and are bored to death. The only thing they enjoy is Call of Duty, a popular war video game in which they compete with Korean opponents. But one day, tragedy strikes; Jessica (their PlayStation 4) breaks down. How will they get money for a new one? Influenced by circumstances, the teens come up with a crazy idea: Jordan will fake cancer and start an online collection to support his treatment. Both completely cut off from reality, the boys are convinced that their virtual lie will never reach them. Not in their village, not at school, not at home... Money flows in, but the lie gets out and threatens their friendship. A brilliant comedy with a deep message; it plays with limits and breaks traditionally accepted decorum in the face of the suffering. Vanessa Paradis appears as a mother alongside the talented young non-actors.
Thu 01.06.2023 | 19:00Billie Blue (2023)
Section: Beyond the Childhood Horizon
Directed by: Mariloup Wolfe
Canada, 2023, 115 min
Projection place: Congress Centre
Score:
At 16, Billie is just now catching up with her peers: in love, in height (a growth spurt has propelled her to 1m80), in having her first period. In a hurry to catch up, she begins her summer as a lifeguard at the water park with her best friends and her oh-so-perfect older sister Annette. Everything goes wrong when Billie and Annette both fall for Pierre, a talented local racing cyclist. Thus begins a heartbreaking love triangle where Billie must once and for all take her place, shine bright and fight to live the love story she deserves.
Fri 02.06.2023 | 09:00Billie Blue (2023)
Section: Beyond the Childhood Horizon
Directed by: Mariloup Wolfe
Canada, 2023, 115 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
At 16, Billie is just now catching up with her peers: in love, in height (a growth spurt has propelled her to 1m80), in having her first period. In a hurry to catch up, she begins her summer as a lifeguard at the water park with her best friends and her oh-so-perfect older sister Annette. Everything goes wrong when Billie and Annette both fall for Pierre, a talented local racing cyclist. Thus begins a heartbreaking love triangle where Billie must once and for all take her place, shine bright and fight to live the love story she deserves.
Fri 02.06.2023 | 10:30Juniors (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category (over 11 years of age)
Directed by: Hugo Thomas
France, 2022, 95 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 2
Score:
Fourteen-year-old boys Jordan and Patrick live in a small village in the south of France and are bored to death. The only thing they enjoy is Call of Duty, a popular war video game in which they compete with Korean opponents. But one day, tragedy strikes; Jessica (their PlayStation 4) breaks down. How will they get money for a new one? Influenced by circumstances, the teens come up with a crazy idea: Jordan will fake cancer and start an online collection to support his treatment. Both completely cut off from reality, the boys are convinced that their virtual lie will never reach them. Not in their village, not at school, not at home... Money flows in, but the lie gets out and threatens their friendship. A brilliant comedy with a deep message; it plays with limits and breaks traditionally accepted decorum in the face of the suffering. Vanessa Paradis appears as a mother alongside the talented young non-actors.
Fri 02.06.2023 | 10:50Big Dreams (2023)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category (up to 10 years of age)
Directed by: Dan Pánek
Czech Republic, 2023, 98 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
The year is 1998, in Nagano, Japan. The Czechs win the gold in Olympic ice hockey and the crowds go wild. All the kids want to be like Jagr or Hašek. Among them is Dom, an 11-year-old dreamer who looks up to his new idol. He would love to play hockey, but his parents don't have the money and doubt his abilities. On his grandfather’s advice, Dom and his friend Honza build a hockey team, calling themselves the Sabres after Hašek's home team in Buffalo. This team of disparate, underestimated kids focus on their great challenge – to defeat the Red Wings team from the next village and earn respect. After an initial defeat, the Sabres are taken over by the peculiar coach Karel, a former major league hockey player, and they gradually head for a rematch. This story of friendship, sport, pride, euphoria, and underdogs sends a message that children's dreams have many forms and that children need to be supported.
Fri 02.06.2023 | 16:00Katak, the Brave Beluga (2023)
Section: World Children´s Film Panorama
Directed by: Christine Dallaire-Dupont, Nicola Lemay
Canada, 2023, 82 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
While his peers have all turned white, as expected at their age, young beluga Katak is still small and grey. To prove that he has grown up and to grant the last wish of his adored grandma, Katak departs on a perilous journey to the Great North…
Fri 02.06.2023 | 19:30The Fence (2022)
Section: Beyond the Childhood Horizon
Directed by: William Stone
United Kingdom, 2022, 94 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
The story follows an 18-year-old working class lad who has his motorcycle stolen the day he buys it. He seeks the help of his scoundrel friends and notorious older brother to track it down before it's gone forever. There is a strong moral theme examining the culture of the period, peer pressure and difficult individual choices. But mostly it's a fun film with heart, that combines nostalgia, strong characters, comedy and a fast paced narrative. Not to mention a terrific soundtrack of ‘80s music!
Sat 03.06.2023 | 11:20Big Dreams (2023)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category (up to 10 years of age)
Directed by: Dan Pánek
Czech Republic, 2023, 98 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
The year is 1998, in Nagano, Japan. The Czechs win the gold in Olympic ice hockey and the crowds go wild. All the kids want to be like Jagr or Hašek. Among them is Dom, an 11-year-old dreamer who looks up to his new idol. He would love to play hockey, but his parents don't have the money and doubt his abilities. On his grandfather’s advice, Dom and his friend Honza build a hockey team, calling themselves the Sabres after Hašek's home team in Buffalo. This team of disparate, underestimated kids focus on their great challenge – to defeat the Red Wings team from the next village and earn respect. After an initial defeat, the Sabres are taken over by the peculiar coach Karel, a former major league hockey player, and they gradually head for a rematch. This story of friendship, sport, pride, euphoria, and underdogs sends a message that children's dreams have many forms and that children need to be supported.
Sat 03.06.2023 | 11:30The Time of Secrets (2022)
Section: World Children´s Film Panorama
Directed by: Christophe Barratier
France, 2022, 108 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Marcel Pagnol embarks on his last summer vacation before high school and returns to his beloved hills in Provence. His summer of boyhood adventures becomes one of first loves and secrets.
Sat 03.06.2023 | 13:30The Properties of Metals (2023)
Section: Beyond the Childhood Horizon
Directed by: Antonio Bigini
Italy, 2023, 93 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
1970’s Italy in a small village in the mountains. Pietro, is being raised by his widower father, a surly man with money problems. He begins to manifest mysterious gifts; he can bend metal simply by touching it. An American scientist starts studying him and this leads the child towards an invisible world where the unquestionable laws of physics collide with the deepest human desires.
Sat 03.06.2023 | 14:3012 Hours to Destruction (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Children’s Category (up to 10 years of age)
Directed by: Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir
Iceland, 2022, 89 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 5
Score:
In the summer of 1980, 11-year-old Hanna and her band try to track down the criminals threatening to destroy the school and, thus, the planned school concert. A great and crazy musical adventure begins, interwoven with the songs of the legendary Icelandic punk musician, rocker and children's book writer Dr. Gunni. Our fearless heroes fight evil, weave between disco and punk, and end up with love and unity. The film was inspired by the famous musical “Abbababb!”, created by Gunnar Lárus Hjálmarsson (aka Dr. Gunni), one of the key figures in Iceland's underground music scene of the 1980s. This unusual, colorfully stylized and playful film is very popular in Iceland. It enticed an unusual amount of moviegoers to cinemas and was the top film for several weeks.
Sat 03.06.2023 | 15:00Scrapper (2023)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Junior Category (over 11 years of age)
Directed by: Charlotte Regan
United Kingdom, 2023, 83 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
When her mother dies, 12-year-old Georgie does everything she can to avoid going to an orphanage. She has a lot on her mind for her age. She must to both grow up quickly to be able to take care of herself, and use her child's ingenuity and innocence to deceive local authorities and others. She and her best friend Ali make money stealing bikes and she pretends to live with an “uncle”. But this fake family member is soon replaced by her real father, who’s been gone so long that she doesn't recognize him. Not happy with his intrusion, she tries to find out why her father has reentered her life. This great British dramedy combines elements of the social film genre, fresh formal flavors, memorable scenes (especially the interaction between Georgia and her father), funny lines and talking spiders. The film won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Cinema section at this year's Sundance.
Sat 03.06.2023 | 16:00The Stolen Airship (1966)
Section: Special Mention
Directed by: Karel Zeman
Czech Republic, 1966, 88 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
It’s the Jubilee Exhibition in Prague in 1891 and five boys are admiring a miracle: a supposedly dirigible airship. The owner, Findejs, offers them a free flight to promote the airship, but changes his mind when paying bidders come forward. Unable to expel them, they soon find themselves above the city and the airship is not dirigible! Safely crossing Europe, they are caught in a storm. Crashing on an unknown island, they experience many adventures before being rescued. A science fiction story based on Jules Verne's novel Two Years' Vacation.
Sat 03.06.2023 | 17:30Bubble (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category (over 15 years of age)
Directed by: Aleksi Salmenperä
Finland, 2022, 102 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Sixteen-year-old Evelina's life is turned upside down when she happens to spot her mother passionately kissing another woman. Like all teenagers, she feel freedom of thought and action are important, but not when it comes to her own parents. She lives in a free-spirited family, where her dad has lots of good advice for his daughter, but does not see his own marriage is in jeopardy. Evelina decides to end her mother's affair at all costs and make her parents fall in love again, or at least stay together. She knows she is the glue holding her parents together – if she has any difficulties, her parents will do anything to support her. Set in motion are a series of big decisions and actions, with all their dramatic and comedic consequences. This fresh family comedy is now a movie in the Finnish film scene. Stella Leppikorpi, the lead actress, was given the Jussi Awards as the Discovery of the Year for her performance.
Sat 03.06.2023 | 18:30Ademoka´s Education (2022)
Section: Festival Laurels from around the World
Directed by: Adilkhan Yerzhanov
France, Kazakhstan, 2022, 90 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 3
Score:
This is the story of a teenage illegal migrant girl Ademoka who lives in Kazakhstan and is forced to be a beggar to survive. But at the same time, she’s bright and talented and dreams of studying all the time. Her illegal status and absence of citizenship is a serious obstacle for that. At some point, Ademoka gets a chance to receive an education and help comes from the unexpected side. The one least believable to be supportive, an alcoholic loser, Ahab, stretches out a helping hand…
Sat 03.06.2023 | 20:00Autobio-Pamphlet (2022)
Section: Festival Laurels from around the World
Directed by: Ashish Bende
India, 2022, 90 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
A satirical story about Ashish, a so-called “lower caste” boy from the Dalit community in 1990s Maharashtra, who falls in love with his classmate Srushti, a girl from the so-called “upper caste” Brahmin community. We follow their story and the story of the dramatic socio-political transformations around them, their families, city, and India.
Sun 04.06.2023 | 13:30Little Allan - The Human Antenna (2022)
Section: World Children´s Film Panorama
Directed by: Amalie Næsby Fick
Denmark, 2022, 80 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 1
Score:
When Little Allan’s parents get divorced, and he must move to a whole new town, his desperate search for new friends suddenly finds him acting as a human antenna for his elderly, UFO-obsessed neighbor. When a telepathic alien girl, Britney, crash-lands, they must help her get home, and a unique friendship is formed. But he isn’t the only one interested in Britney. A mad taxidermy-collector is on her trail in an attempt to answer the age-old question: Is there life in space, and can he stuff it?
Sun 04.06.2023 | 17:30Big Boys (2022)
Section: International Competition of Feature Films in the Youth Category (over 15 years of age)
Directed by: Corey Sherman
United States of America, 2022, 90 min
Projection place: Golden Apple Cinema 6
Score:
Fourteen-year-old Jamie prepares for a trip with his older brother Luke and his favorite cousin Allie. But he’s surprised to learn of the unexpected presence of Allie's boyfriend Dan. Despite his initial fears, Dan's sense of humor, shared interests, and self-confidence make him an object of interest. Moreover, Dan supports Jamie against Luke, who teases his brother for lack of virility and experience in his sex life. That makes his fascination even stronger, and Jamie does all he can to get closer to Dan, while also hiding his true feelings. The director decided to bring his own queer coming-of-age story to the screen, with an emphasis on today's notion of masculinity and positive acceptance of one's physical and mental identity. This small film with a big heart stands out for its excellent script and the performance of the main actor Isaac Krasner. It had its world premiere at the BFI Flare in London.
Sun 04.06.2023 | 18:30Dating Amber (2020)
Section: Top Teen Ten
Directed by: David Freyne
Ireland, 2020, 92 min
Projection place: Zámek
Score:
Set-in Ireland during the mid-90s, 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 realizes that a perilous future awaits her best friend unless she intervenes.