Over 20 Films at Limassol Documentary Fest

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Over 20 Films at Limassol Documentary Fest

Documentary enthusiasts, mark your calendars! The 19th Lemesos International Documentary Festival is set to return during the first week of August (1-8) at Ceronia Hall – Lanitis Carob Mill. This year’s festival will feature over 20 innovative documentaries from around the world, all being shown for the first time in Cyprus.

Highlights of the Festival

One of the standout films is Farming the Revolution by Nishtha Jain, which follows Gurbaz Sangha, a young Punjabi farmer, leading thousands to Delhi to protest new Farm Laws in 2020. This powerful documentary captures the unity and determination of over half a million people from diverse backgrounds, who remained at the borders despite the Covid lockdown.

Architectural Reflections and Climate Realities

Victor Kossakovsky’s Architecton offers an epic, intimate, and poetic exploration of architecture, examining how ancient building designs reveal our destructive tendencies while offering hope for survival and future resilience.

On the other hand, Mighty Afrin: In the Time of Floods by Angelos Rallis tells the poignant story of 12-year-old orphan Afrin, who must leave her disappearing mud island to face the mysteries of a new, sinking world.

Environmental and Social Issues

In Black Snow by Alina Simone, a remote Russian mining town faces extreme pollution, causing black snow to fall. When a local homemaker-turned-journalist’s news videos go viral, she becomes the target of a massive government disinformation campaign.

Preemptive Listening by Aura Satz examines the sounds of warnings for climate change, pandemics, and rising fascism, offering an ode to the sirens of a changing world.

Political and Personal Struggles

No Other Land documents Palestinian activist Basel Adra’s efforts to film his community’s destruction in Masafer Yatta by Israel’s occupation, forging an unexpected alliance with an Israeli journalist.

My Stolen Planet by Farahnaz Sharifi is an autobiographical film about an Iranian woman forced to migrate to a private planet for freedom, where she buys and archives other people’s memories to create an alternative history of Iran.

Dancing on the Edge of the Volcano by Cyril Aris captures the dilemma faced by a film crew in Beirut after the catastrophic explosion on August 4, 2020, as they struggle to continue their work amidst chaos.

Cultural and Historical Narratives

Sugarcane by Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie investigates unmarked graves at an Indian residential school, revealing hidden secrets and igniting a reckoning among survivors and their descendants.

Hold On To Her by Robin Vanbesien traces the social infrastructure of care, solidarity, and struggle, addressing recent cases of police and state violence in Belgium.

Soundtrack to a Coup d’État by Johan Grimonprez explores the intersection of jazz and geopolitics during the Cold War, focusing on the murder of Patrice Lumumba.

Cinematic Reflections and Personal Journeys

Dahomey by Mati Diop, a Berlinale Golden Bear winner, dramatizes the return of 26 royal treasures from the Kingdom of Dahomey held in a French museum to Benin.

Obsessed With Light by Zeva Oelbaum and Sabine Krayenbühl delves into the life and influence of Loïe Fuller, a performer who revolutionized early 20th-century visual culture.

Joan Baez, I Am A Noise by Karen O’Connor, Miri Navasky, and Maeve O’Boyle offers an intimate look at the legendary singer’s 60-year career and personal struggles.

Tish by Paul Sng is a moving portrait of social documentary photographer Tish Murtha, who dedicated her life to documenting the lives of working-class communities in North East England.

Human Connections and Planetary Responsibilities

In the Sky of Nothingness with the Least by Christos Adrianopoulos follows an elderly couple’s daily routines during the pandemic, revealing the realities of aging and decline.

A New Kind of Wilderness by Silje Evensmo Jacobsen explores life choices, responsibilities to the planet, and navigating life after significant loss.

Lesvia by Tzeli Hadjidimitriou chronicles 40+ years of love, community, and conflict on the Greek island of Lesvos, as lesbians and local residents navigate acceptance and tension.

The Perfect Meal by Alexandros Merkouris examines the science behind the Mediterranean diet and its benefits in preventing various health issues.

Local Perspectives

Two mid-length documentaries by Cypriot visual artist Efi Savvides, Camp Pournara and Camps Vathy-Zervou, provide insights into refugee reception and everyday reality in Cyprus.

Metavasis by Yiannis Christidis is a poetic documentary celebrating the humane nature of death rituals in Cyprus.

Festival Atmosphere

Alongside film screenings, the festival will host various international and local guests, Q&A sessions, music events, DJ sets, and open-air parties, all contributing to a vibrant summer atmosphere.

19th Lemesos International Documentary Festival

Dates: August 1-8
Location: Ceronia Hall – Lanitis Carob Mill, Limassol
Website: www.filmfestival.com.cy

This year’s Lemesos International Documentary Festival promises a diverse and engaging lineup, making it a must-attend event for documentary film lovers.