DOK Leipzig
53rd International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film
October 18 - 24, 2010
Leipzig / Germany
International Competition - Documentary Film
CLOSE TO HEAVEN
Director: Titus Faschina
Germany, Romania 2010 | 90 min
Dumitru Stanciu is one of the last mountain shepherds of Europe. As his forefathers did for thousands of years, in summer as in winter he and his herd of sheep roam the far reaches of the Transylvanian Carpathian Mountains, close to the edge of heaven. He lives amidst the myths of his mountains, between bears and wolves, in the sun, wind, snow and ice – and in constant concern for his animals. Soon, when he hangs his sheepskin coat on the wall for the last time, an irretrievable piece of Old Europe shall die. Or will his son Radu take over the herd?
Let's Run Away From Her
Ucieknijmy od niej , Poland, 2010, 50 min, Digi Beta, Creative, Personal view
East Silver 2010 / Nominace na Cenu Silver Eye
Another painfully intimate documentary by Marcin Koszałka is devoted to family matters seen through his sister’s experience. With a running camera adult siblings dissect their relations with parents and with each other. The protagonist of the film, affluent businesswoman, who still hasn’t come to terms with the death of their mother and father, becomes the director’s conscience. He is trying to get closer to his dead parents in his own way – filming the last moments of patients in a hospital.
North from Calabria
Na polnoc of Kalabrii , Poland, 2009, 67 min, Digi Beta, Creative, Personal view, Society
East Silver 2010
The film is an attempt to create a place – a town, where living is easy. Where people know each other, tolerate their faults, meet each other to talk and just be together. Making of this film was a kind of a happening. Actors and outside people moved into a small Silesian town and along with its inhabitants they were organizing a big fest.In a confined space of market and a few small streets, working, talking and spending time together has dominated life of Chełmsko Śląskie. For one summer month Chełmsko has become a decoration in the film about an ideal town.
International Short Documentary Competition
A Piece of Summer
It is the last days of the summer holidays. A grandfather, who works in Bieszczady Mountains, awaits the arrival of his grandson. Surrounded by wild nature they try to reach an understanding of each other. The camera keenly observes, with slow and subtle pace, a developing relationship to one another and to the world that envelopes them.
CHARCOAL BURNERS
Director: Piotr Zlotorowicz
Production company: Polish National Film School
Poland 2010 | 15 min
Every summer, Marek and Janina work as charcoal burners in the Bieszczady Mountains. Far from civilization, in the heart of the mountains, they live according to the rhythm set by nature. The documentary joins the man and the woman from dawn till dusk, observing the slow passage of time. A visual anthem to the beauty of life.
Below please see a selection of some of the films in DOK Leipzig's non-competitive International Programme and Special Programmes. Find out more about the films in each section: Caucasian Lessons / Money Matters / Tribute to Klaus Wildenhahn / Doc Alliance / Documentary Campus Masterschool Screening / Best of MDR
All That Glitters
Mlčeti zlato , Czech Republic, 2010, 90 min, HD, Ecology, Personal view, Politics, Social issues
East European Forum 2006 / East Silver 2010 / Nominace na Cenu Silver Eye
Situated at the crossroads of global interests, Kyrgyzstan reflects the political rivalry between Russian and American influence, reveals the religious rivalry between Christianity and Islam, and lies between the economic predominance of China and Russia. All That Glitters examines how strange capitalism and democracy can be when introduced to a former Soviet country, where people who were never given autonomy are suddenly expected to make their own financial and political decisions.
Themerson & Themerson
Themerson & Themerson , France, Poland, United Kingdom, 2010, 72 min, 16 mm, Digi Beta, Art and Culture, Creative, Portrait
East European Forum 2008 / East Silver 2010
The film is retracing the love story of an unusual and unique creative union. It is a well-hidden treasure in the culture and art of the 20th century. Franciszka and Stefan Themerson lived and worked together for almost sixty years, first in Poland, then in France and eventually they settled in England. The only time when they were separated was the outbreak of WW2 but even then they remained connected.
Special Programme - Caucasian Lessons
The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia
The Last Tightrope Dancer in Armenia , Armenia, Japan, USA, 2009, 52 min, Beta, Art and Culture, Creative
Ex Oriente Film 2007 / East European Forum 2007 / East Silver 2010
Two old men, 78, 75, are shouting at each other under the tightrope, arguing whose student is the best; ‘I started to walk when I was thirteen, 30 musicians died whilst I was dancing!’ ‘But I won the competition in the fifties; the cultural minister said if there was a science of tightrope I would be a Professor.’ These are the last two tightrope masters in Armenia, who were once treated like gods. With a smile we will show the ‘funeral’ of their art: even though their troupes walk now, they are sure that their students will not continue.
Special Programme - Caucasian Lessons
The Leader is Always Right
Lideri Khoveltvis Martalia , Georgia, 2010, 45 min, Digi Beta, DV, Politics, Society
East Silver 2010
Summer camps financed by the president in Georgia seem to offer lessons in nationalism, hatred and obedience. Since 2005, these camps have been attended by hundreds of thousands of boys and girls. The programme is clear: to cultivate a "love of the nation" among children. This primarily means developing animosity towards Russia, which has been interfering with the country's autonomy. Uniforms with the Georgian state symbol, flags on the cabins, ideological slogans and the rule that "the leader is always right" are all things that serve to remind each boy and girl of the past and to demand vengeance. A stark future is outlined when the children leave the camp with a clear idea of what "patriotism" means.
Special Programme - Doc Alliance
Metrobranding - A Love Story Between Men and Objects
Metrobranding , Romania, 2010, 92 min, Beta, Creative, Society
Docu Talents From the East 2009 / East Silver 2010
In the communist Romania we had but a single brand of each basic product: the Relaxa mattress, the Dragasani sneakers, the Pegas bicycle, the Mobra motorcycle, the Fieni bulbs and the Ileana sewing machine were the stars of the Romanian golden era. These six brands had spectacular destinies. They appeared approximately at the same time, along with the socialist industrialization. As overnight towns were built around the factories producing them, they have become the objects of desire for the Romanian daily life and dreams.
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