An incredibly important and distinctive section presenting the newest and, at the same time, the most acknowledged films which received prestigious awards (the Academy Award, the Palme d'Or in Cannes, the Golden Bear at the Berlinale). These productions enjoy great recognition from critics and audiences alike, fascinating both in their form and content. Many of them have been screened at the best international film festivals. Some films, although undoubtedly successful, are unfortunately not widely distributed, making them even more worth showing and promoting. The screenings of such works of art is a real honour for the organisers of SEFF, and it gives the Szczecin audience the possibility to see the world’s best films. At this year's festival we will present the following productions:
“Fuocoammare” dir. Gianfranco Rosi – a fascinating documentary taking up the current problem of the migration crisis, presented in a very innovative form. Awarded the Golden Bear at this year's Berlin International Film Festival.
“Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World” dir. Werner Herzog – one of the latest feature documentaries by one of the greatest masters of European cinema. The film was presented and awarded at this year's Munich Film Festival, and nominated for the Best Documentary award at the Cleveland International Film Festival.
“Perseverance” dir. Małgorzata Imielska – A feature documentary about the legend of American independent cinema, a fascinating man who survived the Holocaust. The film was admitted to the main competition of the 56th Krakow Film Festival.
Curator: Damian Romaniak
Production: IT 2016
Lampedusa is a small village between Africa and Europe. Its territory belongs to Italy. Each year over 150 thousand refugees from Africa hit its shore, people who seek escape from war and hunger. Many of them do not reach their destination. The rotted-through makeshift boats and rafts drown, taking the lives of hundreds of people. Rosi observes the life on the island without judging the attitude of the immigrants or of those deciding their fate (some of them, usually inhabitants of Tunisia, will be sent back to their homeland). The director is interested in who the people coming to Lampedusa are. He gives his attention both to Africans and to the indigenous people. He juxtaposes both groups’ problems as well as their priorities. The film received the Golden Bear at Berlinale 2016.
read more
Production: USA 2016
When was the first email sent? Can robots win the 2050 World Cup? Are there still any places free of electromagnetic waves? The legendary documentary filmmaker and Academy Award nominee Werner Herzog in his newest film deals with the Internet. The journey begins at the very roots of the digital revolution – a talk with UCLA professor Leonard Kleinrock, co-creator of ARPANET network, which was the prototype of the Internet that we know today. Herzog shows technological development and its influence on the lives of particular generations.
read more
Production: PL 2015
“Perserverance” is a story about Ben Barenholtz, legend of American independent cinema. We all know his biography – for instance, we know that he authored the idea for the famous Midnight Movies and produced the film “Barton Fink” by the Coen brothers. But what has determined his life? The answer can be found in a small Ukrainian village – the place where he was born.
read more