31st Days of European Film

Travel Essentials

Rzeczy niezbędne

2024 105 min.

Ada, an American journalist of Polish origin, arrives in Europe and is confronted with her past. The complex narrative is an excellent starting point for a discussion of the still suppressed topic of sexual abuse of young girls in Poland.

Sections: First time

Country: Poland / Germany

Directed by: Kamila Tarabura

Starring: Dagmara Domińczyk, Katarzyna Warnke, Małgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik, Andrzej Konopka, Karol Pocheć, Piotr Żurawski, Anja Antonowicz, Peter Lohmeyer

Language: Polish with English and Czech subtitles

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Program

Lesson Learned

Fekete pont

2024 119 min.

A social drama set in a Hungarian elementary school where little Palkó has moved from Germany. While Palkó has a hard time adjusting to the local regime, young teacher Juci tries to change the school's ways.

Sections: First time

Country: Hungary

Directed by: Bálint Szimler

Starring: Anna Mészöly, Attila Papp, Gábor Ferenczi, Eszter Márton, Erika Marozsán, Ildikó Lökös

Language: Hungarian with English and Czech subtitles

Supported by:

Side event (only for selected shows)

MENTAL HEALTH IN SCHOOLS

15.04. 5 p.m.

Ostrava - Minikino

After the film Černý puntík screening, a discussion for parents and teachers will take place, focusing on children's education. How does mental health affect children in the school environment and their ability to learn? How can we support children in adapting to the school regime and ensure a balanced approach to learning? The discussion will offer a space for discussion on how the educational process can support children's psychological well-being and how parents and teachers can work together to create a healthy and stimulating school environment.

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Program

Diva Futura

Diva futura

2024 128 min.

Riccardo Schicci (Pietro Castellitto) founds the Diva Futura agency, which turns the idea of free hippie love into the golden age of Italian porn. The media influence of Schicci's activities, also thanks to the rise of private television channels, is so significant in Italian society that he gets porn star Ilona Staller, known as Cicciolina, into parliament. The brisk retro brings a sense of freedom of the eighties and nineties while raising an all-seeing finger at society.

Sections: Film & Music

Country: Italy

Directed by: Giulia Louise Steigerwalt

Starring: Denise Capezza, Lidija Kordić, Barbara Ronchi, Pietro Castellitto, Tesa Litvan, Davide Iachini, Beatrice Puccilli, Marco Iermanò, Paolo Ricci

Language: Italian with English and Czech subtitles

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Program

Grand Theft Hamlet

2024 89 min.

Two actors meet during Covid in the game Grand Theft Auto setting, where they rehearse Hamlet. A remarkable genre-crossing film shot entirely in the setting of a famous video game.

Sections: Panorama

Country: Great Britain

Directed by: Sam Crane, Pinny Grylls

Starring: Sam Crane, Mark Oosterveen, Pinny Grylls

Language: English with Czech subtitles

Supported by:

Side event (only for selected shows)

THE GTA PHENOMENON

05.04. 6 p.m.

Prague - Světozor

10.04. 8:30 p.m.

Brno - Kino Art

What makes the GTA series so iconic? Is it just light-hearted fun or a sharp satire on our society? And what are its impacts on the gaming industry and the players themselves? The discussion following the screening of the film Grand Theft Hamlet will focus on the phenomenon of the GTA series, its cultural impact, controversies and how it influences the gaming industry and pop culture. Guests from the ranks of game developers and critics will offer different perspectives on this iconic series and open a discussion on ethics, storytelling and the future of open worlds in video games.

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Heavier Trip

2024 96 min.

Heavy metal band Impaled Rektum escapes from prison to play at a big festival. And at the same time, save their childhood home. Musical comedy and sequel to the film Heavy Trip!

Sections: Film & Music

Country: Finland / Belgium / Germany

Directed by: Juuso Laatio, Jukka Vidgren

Starring: Johannes Holopainen, Max Ovaska, Chike Ohanwe, Samuli Jaskio, Anatole Taubman, David Bredin, Martti Syrjä, Mats Eldøen, Helén Vikstvedt, Sinikka Mokkila

Language: Finnish and English with English and Czech subtitles

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Julie Keeps Quiet

Julie zwijgt

2024 97 min.

Nothing is heard on the court except the bounces of tennis balls. The heavy air and the absence of one of the head coaches give the junior players a clear sign that something serious has happened. An investigation is set in motion, but the club's rising star, Julie, who was closest to the coach, remains silent.

Sections: Panorama

Country: Belgium / Sweden

Directed by: Leonardo van Dijl

Starring: Tessa Van den Broeck, Koen De Bouw, Ruth Becquart, Tijmen Govaerts, Claire Bodson, Laurent Caron

Language: Dutch and French with English and Czech subtitles

Supported by:

Side event (only for selected shows)

HOW TO PROTECT YOUNG PEOPLE

05.04. 8:15 p.m.

Prague - Světozor

We invite you to a discussion following the screening of the film Julie Keeps Quiet, which opens up robust and current topics related to the world of top sports and the position of young people in society. The story of tennis player Julie, who finds herself in a scandal at a prestigious academy, leads us to reflect on the pressure exerted on young people, why it is sometimes so difficult to speak out, and what role the environment plays – whether online or offline. The discussion will also touch on gender inequalities and the representation of young voices in society.

The screening and discussion are held in cooperation with the Office of the European Parliament in the Czech Republic, and admission is free, just like the film.

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Program

The New Year That Never Came

Anul Nou care n-a fost

2024 138 min.

A mosaic of stories from the key revolutionary days in Romania just before Christmas 1989. Television is pre-recording a New Year's Eve show paid for by the regime, while shootings are already taking place in the streets of Timisoara.

Sections: First time

Country: Romania / Serbia

Directed by: Bogdan Muresanu

Starring: Adrian Vãncicã, Emilia Dobrin-Besoiu, Iulian Postelnicu, Ioana Flora, Răzvan Vasilescu, Manuela Harabor, Gabriel Spahiu, Mihai Călin, Nicodim Ungureanu

Language: Romanian with English and Czech subtitles

Supported by:

Side event (only for selected shows)

BALKAN DISCO PARTY

On April 7, after the Romanian film The New Year That Didn't Come screening, a unique DJ party with Ligia Keșișian will get the Edison Cinema Café dancing! The Romanian DJ, artistic director of the Balkanik music festival, poet and promoter of world music will bring wild and gentle rhythms of the Balkans, Latin America and the Orient. Look forward to a varied music set that will definitely get you dancing. The film starts at 7:00 PM, and the party begins at 10:00 PM. Admission to the party is free.

Supported by:

Mental Hygiene by Aleš Stuchlý

05.04. 6:30 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

06.04. 6 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

07.04. 7 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

08.04. 6 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

04.04. 9 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

Uncompromising film critic, music and festival dramaturg, presenter of the radio podcast Čelisti and leading psychosomatician Aleš Stuchlý has been leading a successful curatorial block of healing screenings called Mental Hygiene for the fifth year. Top films with insightful introductions and maximum side effects, the possibility of a personal therapeutic session after the closing credits in the form of heated discussions with fresh guests, all in his home theatre, Edison Filmhub.

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Program

Mood Indigo

L'Écume des jours

2013 131 min.

In a city where cars have steering wheels in their trunks, people skate backwards, and a piano mixes cocktails, the idealistic and inventive Colin lives with only his two friends. One day, however, he meets Chloé. The fragile Chloé, who reminds Colin of his beloved Duke Ellington blues, falls ill with a mysterious illness: a water lily blooms in her lungs. The carefree world of lovers is fatally struck by the disease. A fantasy comedy, full of colours and tones, with Audrey Tautou and Romain Duris in a playful adaptation of the equally famous novel by Boris Vian.

Sections: Tribute to Michel Gondry

Country: France / Belgium

Directed by: Michel Gondry

Starring: Audrey Tautou, Romain Duris, Omar Sy, Gad Elmaleh, Alain Chabat, Charlotte Le Bon, Aïssa Maïga, Philippe Torreton, Natacha Régnier, Sacha Bourdo

Language: French with English and Czech subtitles

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Bring Them Down

2024 105 min.

A harsh thriller set in a pastoral region where old family grievances bubble up. Barry Keoghan, Christopher Abbott and Colm Meaney star in this brutally impressive, low-budget debut about two feuding families.

Sections: First time

Country: Ireland

Directed by: Chris Andrews

Starring: Christopher Abbott, Barry Keoghan, Colm Meaney, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready, Aaron Heffernan, Susan Lynch, Conor MacNeill, Youssef Quinn

Language: English with Czech subtitles

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Bird

2024 119 min.

Twelve-year-old Bailey lives with her party-going father Bug (Barry Keoghan) and rebellious brother Hunter (Jason Buda) in a small town in the east of England. When a mysterious stranger named Bird (Franz Rogowski) suddenly enters her life, Bailey longs to spread her wings and leave her shattered home.

Sections: Panorama

Country: Great Britain

Directed by: Andrea Arnold

Starring: Nykiya Adams, Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski, Jason Buda, Jasmine Jobson, Frankie Box, James Nelson-Joyce, Rhys Yates, Calum Speed, Joanne Matthews

Language: English with Czech subtitles

Supported by:

Side event (only for selected shows)

MASTERCLASS

04.04. 7:30 p.m.

Prague - Světozor

...

Supported by:

Mental Hygiene by Aleš Stuchlý

05.04. 6:30 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

06.04. 6 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

07.04. 7 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

08.04. 6 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

04.04. 9 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

Uncompromising film critic, music and festival dramaturg, presenter of the radio podcast Čelisti and leading psychosomatician Aleš Stuchlý has been leading a successful curatorial block of healing screenings called Mental Hygiene for the fifth year. Top films with insightful introductions and maximum side effects, the possibility of a personal therapeutic session after the closing credits in the form of heated discussions with fresh guests, all in his home theatre, Edison Filmhub.

Supported by:

Program

World Between Us

Svět mezi námi

2024 90 min.

Marie Tomanová travelled from Mikulov to the USA as an au pair, and today, she photographs campaigns for Nike, Instagram and fashion magazines such as Vogue CS. However, her name is known more abroad than in her native country, which offered few opportunities for the young painter. Paradoxically, it was only in New York, far from home, that she was able to grow up and find herself.

Sections: Panorama

Country: Czech Republic / Slovakia

Directed by: Marie Dvořáková

Starring: Marie Tomanová, Thomas Beachdel

Language: Czech and English with English and Czech subtitles

Program

Toxic

Akiplėša

2024 99 min.

A strong, uncompromising debut about two teenage girls who are trying to escape the bleakness of their hometown and dream of a future in modeling, shows the current theme of young people and their fragile relationship with their bodies.

Sections: First time

Country: Lithuania

Directed by: Saulé Bliuvaité

Starring: Giedrius Savickas, Ieva Rupeikaite, Raimondas Klezys, Jekatěrina Makarova

Language: Lithuanian with English and Czech subtitles

Supported by:

Side event (only for selected shows)

Mental Hygiene by Aleš Stuchlý

05.04. 6:30 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

06.04. 6 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

07.04. 7 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

08.04. 6 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

04.04. 9 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

Uncompromising film critic, music and festival dramaturg, presenter of the radio podcast Čelisti and leading psychosomatician Aleš Stuchlý has been leading a successful curatorial block of healing screenings called Mental Hygiene for the fifth year. Top films with insightful introductions and maximum side effects, the possibility of a personal therapeutic session after the closing credits in the form of heated discussions with fresh guests, all in his home theatre, Edison Filmhub.

Supported by:

Program

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

2004 108 min.

Jim Carrey is the timid Joel, whose life is turned upside down by the eccentric Clementine, played by the fabulous Kate Winslet. When Joel learns that Clementine has successfully had all memories of him erased from her memory, he decides to undergo the same experiment. The highly rated film stands out for its excellent direction, acting, and brilliant script, which was co-written by Michel Gondry, Charlie Kaufman, and Pierre Bismuth.

Sections: Tribute to Michel Gondry

Country: USA

Directed by: Michel Gondry

Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Ryan Whitney, Debbon Ayer, Thomas Jay Ryan, Jane Adams, Paulie Litt

Language: English with Czech subtitles

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Program

Living Large

Život k sežrání

2024 79 min.

One two, one two... microphone test. Twelve-year-old Ben loves not only music but also food and cooking. And it shows in him. But when one day he hits on his classmate Klárka, he decides to take a turn with the extra pounds. The animated film by director Kristina Dufková, based on the bestseller by Mikaël Ollivier, humorously follows the first sorrows, loves and pitfalls of adolescence, accompanied by upbeat songs.

Sections: Panorama

Country: Czech Republic / Slovakia

Directed by: Kristina Dufková

Starring: Hugo Kovács, Tatiana Dyková, David Novotný, Klára Melíšková, Simona Babčáková, Martha Issová, Jiří Bartoška, Eliška Křenková, Sebastian Pöthe, Matěj Havelka

Language: Czech with English subtitles

Side event (only for selected shows)

Filmmaking workshops for children

05.04. 3 p.m.

Prague - Světozor

06.04. 1 p.m.

Prague - Edison Filmhub

Come to the festival with your children, and you will be rewarded with beautiful film experiences, but more minor and older children can learn a bit about the film trade, and maybe one day they will grow up to be skilled filmmakers. After the screenings of the films Hungry Bear Tales: To the Pole and Four Souls of the Coyote, together with our partners, we have prepared filmmaking workshops for children. Of course, there is also a favourable entrance fee.

We look forward to you.

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Program