Modern-day nomads, contemporary seekers of home, better luck, freedom or peace. There are different reasons for leaving one's own country, forgetting one's own identity for a while. Let's have a look at some of the images of immigrants in the selection of films handpicked by the Festival programmers.
Aida's Secrets / Sekret Aidy, dir. Alon Schwartz, Shaul Schwarz (Israel, Germany, USA 2016) 90 mins.
The exciting and emotional story of the brothers Isaac and Shepsel who met for the very first time at the age of 60 and together discover many dark family secrets.
Chasing Asylum / Szukając schronienia, dir. Eva Orner (Australia 2016) 96 mins.
Australia has implemented some of the harshest immigration laws in the world. The film explores the mental, physical and fiscal consequences of Australia’s decision to lock away asylum-seeking families in unsanitary conditions hidden from media scrutiny, destroying their lives under the pretext of saving them.
Keep Frozen / W zamrożeniu, dir. Hulda Rós Gudnadottir (Iceland 2016) 68 mins.
20,000 boxes of frozen fish to unload, and only 48 hours to do the job in a -35°C environment. An extraordinary documentary about working in the harbour of Reykjavík.
Mali Blues / Mali Blues, dir. Lutz Gregor (Germany 2016) 93 mins.
A musical road movie about the rich musical culture of Mali in West Africa. Fighting against Sharia, Malian musicians speak out for peace and freedom of speech. Featuring international star Fatoumata Diawara.
Radio Dreams / Radiowe marzenia, dir. Babak Jalali (USA 2016) 91 mins.
Kabul Dreams, the first rock band from Afghanistan, and their long-time idols, Metallica, are to meet on the air at a Persian radio station in San Francisco. The film won an award at the Rotterdam festival for “its subtle and humorous reflection on displacement and alienation of a group of misfits in a foreign culture”.
Theater Of Life / Teatr życia, dir. Peter Svatek (Canada 2016) 93 mins.
The Refettorio Ambrosiano: the most extraordinary soup kitchen for the homeless and refugees in Milan. It is run by internationally renowned chef Massimo Bottura and 40 of the world's best chefs. All food served was made from the food waste of Expo Milano 2015. A deeply moving documentary about life, food and waste. A visual feast, this film will feed your spirit and your appetite.
The Sun, The Sun Blinded Me / Słońce, to słońce mnie oślepiło, dir. Anka & Wilhelm Sasnal (Poland, Switzerland 2016) 74 mins.
What does it mean to encounter a Stranger, in both an individual and a social aspect, especially in times of increasing nationalism and xenophobia in countries like Poland?
The Tenth Man / El rey del Once / Dziesiąty mężczyna, dir. Daniel Burman (Argentina 2016) 80 mins.
Ariel escaped from the Jewish quarter of Buenos Aires to build a career in New York. His father summons him back. A comedy drama about the hard road to discovering your identity.
X 500 / X 500 / X Quinientos, dir. Juan Andrés Arango (Canada, Colombia, Mexico 2016) 108 mins.
Canada, Mexico, Colombia – three different countries, three different protagonists who live simultaneously without ever coming across one another, but relating in their experiences. All three of them will undergo mental, emotional, and even physical transformations on their way to a new life.
You Have The Guts / Suficiente coraje / Wystarczy odwagi, dir. John E. Robertson (Chile, Venezuela 2016) 71 mins.
He grew up in exile in Venezuela. He returns to his native Chile to avenge the death of his father who was killed by the military dictatorship in Santiago a few decades earlier. She fled Venezuela in the hope of finding a better life in Chile.
