This gripping film musical with documentary elements looks at the glam rock era and what it meant for the performers themselves, as well as those who lived off of them and influenced their lives. The central figure is fictional British superstar Brian Slade (clearly inspired by David Bowie), related through the accounts of those who knew him. For the New York reporter interviewing them, Slade was an idol who showed him how to break free of conformism.
Ana, a literature teacher, is being accused of misconduct for suggesting Agnieszka Holland’s movie – Total Eclipse – to her 17-year-old students, so they can better understand Rimbaud’s work and life. The movie depicts homosexuality, which the parent objects to. She starts a struggle to justify herself, causing an absurd chain reaction. The school’s principal, Eva slowly withdraws, and this effect good working relationships. The scandal that follows has unforeseeable consequences upon her life, and the life of the student, Victor, whose father makes the complaint. As the case ends up in different court investigations post-socialist fixations comes to surface, and the air around Ana, and Viktor slowly disappear. The main themes of the film include questions of acceptance, being a teacher, the nature of power and oppression.
Source: Art Film
presentation
Organizer: Iniciatíva Inakosť
Do you need help? Struggling to embrace your queer identity and looking for psychological counselling? Or have you experienced discrimination for being an LGBTI+ person and would like advice on how to proceed? Or perhaps you’re considering marrying a partner from abroad, and you don’t know how it will impact your Slovak citizenship? All these topics are addressed by inPoradňa from Inicatíva Inakosť, which has been providing specialized counselling for LGBTI+ people and their families for several years. InPoradňa’s services will be introduced by a discussion at FFi, where a psychologist, a lawyer and social counsellors will explain all the different ways they can help you.
Elias (14) feels attracted to his new neighbour Alexander (14). Soon he realizes that he's truly in love for the first time. The interactions with his friends and family bring more questions than answers. Confused by his burgeoning feelings, Elias tries to sort out his inner chaos to prove that he is worth Alexander's heart.
The collection of short films is dedicated to getting to know yourself and your surroundings. What happens when everything we are used to suddenly changes? Or, on the contrary, how can our perspective change when, after a long distance, we return to places we used to know faithfully? How does our relationship develop with ourselves, with our family, with our friends, with the environment in which we live?
From the tormented little mermaid to the fulfilled woman she is today, Gigi tells us about her gender transition with humor and sensitivity.
While their parents are away, Rafaela (8) stays home under the care of her sister, Laura (15), who decides to go visit Alex (15), the boy she likes, and has no choice but to bring Rafaela along. At the boy's house, Laura and Alex lock themselves in, leaving Rafaela alone. In the midst of waiting and boredom, Rafaela starts to explore the house, embarking on a drift marked by strangeness, youthful excitement, and the possibility of finding freedom in an unfamiliar place.
After a long absence, Max returns to Paris and settles in with his father in the lively Belleville district. He wanders the streets, curious about others, eager to meet new people, but soon finds himself confronted with a profound malaise.
Nikita is a student from Kharkiv region who lives in Kyiv with his boyfriend Serhiy. His relationship with religious mother is hideous due to her adverse treatment of son’s sexuality, which has led him to abandon his faith in God. Nikita quarrels with her on his birthday, because she sent him his cross pendant and asked son to return to “the right path”. The next day, on February 24th of 2022, the couple wakes up from explosions and news about the beginning of full-scale war with russia. Nikita realizes he can't reach his mother by phone anymore.
Is family something we are born into, or is it something we build over the course of our lives? Who creates family? And can it be created artificially? Goran Stolevski’s third feature film tells the story of Dita, a social worker who is forced to take on the role of mother and to deal with various steps necessary for giving a group of “dropouts” family support. But this diverse bunch of characters bursting with energy is like a bomb waiting to go off. A crushing portrayal of the complexity of interpersonal relationships and social roles, Housekeeping for Beginners premiered in the Orizzonti competition at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Queer Lion award. (Source: KVIFF)
Adi has finished school and, back home, in his idyllic yet isolated village in the Danube Delta, he's making the most of the holidays before he chooses which university to attend. When he is brutally beaten on his way back from the pub one evening, the affinity he felt towards his home is fundamentally altered... Three Kilometres to the End of the World is a story of tunnel vision, homophobia, and the impact of outdated rural traditions on something as pure as parental love. As with his previous two films, director Emanuel Pârvu explores human relationships and the invisible but tangible walls that divide society. The film premiered in the main competition at Cannes. (Source: KVIFF)
{Cannes IFF 2024: Queer Palm}
In the 1994 post-martial law period in Taiwan, Chi-wei, a female college student, joins the strike to fight for their freedom of expression. During the protest, Chi-wei is slowly attracted by Ching, whose boyfriend Kuang is the leader of the student strike. As the chemistry between Chi-wei and Ching gradually intensifies, Kuang also shows a romantic interest in Chi-wei and their love struggles become closely intertwined with politics. Eventually, Chi-wei realizes that her desire and emotion are unconstrained as their creative freedom. For her, it's not only a protest for freedom but also an inner fight for her self-awakening.
debate + DJ set · 180’
Organizer: PRIDE Košice a Saplinq, o.z.
East Slovakia is even more traditional and conservative than the “traditional and conservative Slovakia” we hear about from government press conferences, the benches of parliament or the pulpit. Most East Slovaks vote for parties that actually pride themselves on their hateful rhetoric against LGBTI+ people, competing to see who can trample on their rights the most.
How, then, do LGBTI+ live in families, communities and workplaces permeated with homo- and transphobic narratives? How much courage does it take to come out and live openly in the East? At this discussion, we’ll share our personal experiences (including some funny ones). After the discussion, stick around to enjoy a set by DJ Enby.
The discussion, an FFi accompanying event, is organized by Saplinq, o.z. and PRIDE Košice as part of the project PRIDEme do krajských miest 2024. Is it publicly funded via Fond na podporu umenia, Slovakia’s national fund for the arts
A collection of short documentaries focusing on lives that tend to be hidden. We can witness their most private desires, their most remote memories and their most vulnerable moments. The search for the lost relationship between parent and child or discrimination in society, but especially interpersonal connections are the main themes of films.
With humor and vulnerability, the director reaches out to their distant father as they experiment with a more masculine gender identity. A unique and personal film about growing up and longing for closeness. Dressing up in suits and acting out traditional masculine activities, reveals the potential of rebuilding a lost connection.
Emzo, a courageous queer activist, escaped persecution in Georgia five years ago, finding refuge in Belgium. This short documentary captures his unyielding commitment to the LGBTQ+ cause, showcasing the indomitable spirit of one individual's fight for acceptance and equality.
Between loads of laundry at the corner laundromat, Cooper shares the tumultuous story of her gender reassignment journey.
In Croatia, where conservatism still persists, ballroom offers a sanctuary for LGBTQ performers. Valentina (29), a talented voguer and veteran of the scene, struggles while young trans man Teo (21) searches for community and acceptance. He finds both in Valentina, who supports him through his transition while he opens her heart long kept at bay. As their relationship evolves, the young couple begins dreaming of a shared future.