CEFF 2019 program

Saturday, November 2nd, 2019

All movies throughout the festival have English subtitles.

The Resistance Banker

2018, 2h 3m, The Netherlands

Director: Joram Lürsen

Starts: 17:00 hrs, Theater 2

More on IMDB

Writers: Marieke van der Pol, Thomas van der Ree, Matthijs Bockting. Michael Leendertse, Joost Reijmers, Pieter van den Berg.

In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, banker brothers Walraven and Gijs van Hall face their greatest challenge yet when they decide to help fund the Dutch resistance.

Presented by the Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Little White Lies 2

2019, 2h 15m, France

Director: Guillaume Canet

Starts: 17:30 hrs, Theater 1

More on IMDB

Writers: Guillaume Canet (dialogue), Guillaume Canet (screenplay), Rodolphe Lauga (dialogue), Rodolphe Lauga (screenplay).

The result of the small handkerchiefs “Petits mouchoirs”, 7 years later. The band, which erupted, is found on the occasion of the anniversary surprise organized for Max.

Presented by La Cité des Rocheuses, Alliance Francaise de Calgary, and Calgary International FIlm Festival.

A Cat with A Dog

2018, 1h 42m, Poland

Director: Janusz Kondratiuk

Starts: 19:30 hrs, Theater 2

More on IMDB

Writers: Anna Gronowska (screenplay associate), Janusz Kondratiuk, Dominik W. Rettinger.

Estranged brothers Andrzej and Janusz are both acclaimed film directors. When older Andrzej gets paralyzed after the stroke, Janusz and his wife decide to take care of him.

Presented by the Polish Canadian Cultural Centre.

A Shelter Among the Clouds

2018, 1h 25m, Albania

Director: Robert Budina

Starts: 20:15 hrs, Theater 1

More on IMDB

Writers: Robert Budina (screenplay), Sabina Kodra (story).

Besnik is a lonely shepherd and devoted Muslim, haunted by unfulfilled love. He is the son of a Catholic mother and formerly Communist father whom he takes care of in an Albanian village in the mountains. Up here, Christians and Muslims have found a way to co-exist peacefully. Even after the discovery that the old mosque used to be a church and that the building was actually shared by the two religions in the past, the calm of daily life can be preserved – with Besnik’s help. After the death of his father, however, drastic changes threaten Besnik’s multi-faith family and the shepherd is forced to seek his own path. – Robert Budina

Presented by the Albanian-Canadian Association of Calgary.

Sunday, November 3rd, 2019

 

Freedom Under Load

2016, 1h 01m, Slovakia

Director: Pavol Barabas

Starts: 15:00 hrs, Theater 1

More on IMDB

Writer: Pavol Barabas (as Pavol Barabás)

With hundred kilos on their backs they are facing storms, blizzards and deep snow. Their craft is not only a profession, but also their way to the calmness. In the documentary Freedom under Load we get to know the oldest generation of the porters in the High Tatras, who climb with supplies to the mountain huts every day. We discover why they have chosen this way of life and why they remain the last of the Mohicans on the European continent. And maybe we find out something about our own load that we carry.

Presented by the Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic in Calgary, and Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Ottawa.

Bad Poems

2018, 1h 37m, Hungary

Director: Gábor Reisz

Starts: 18:00 hrs, Theater 2

More on IMDB

Writer: Gábor Reisz

33-years old Tamás Merthner is heartbroken, after his girlfriend Anna, who is on a scholarship in Paris, breaks up with him. While wallowing in self-pity, Tamás takes a trip down memory lane to figure out if love only exists when it’s practically gone. As he’s trying to pick up the pieces, he begins to realize what makes this current society so confused, which gives us a highly subjective view of Hungary’s present.

Presented by the Hungarian Canadian Cultural Association of Calgary.

Twin Flower

2018, 1h 36m, Italy

Director: Laura Luchetti

Starts: 16:00 hrs, Theater 2

More on IMDB

Writer: Laura Luchetti.

In a South of Italy full of beauty and hidden dangers, two adolescents, abused and damaged by life, Anna, whose father has been murdered and Basim, an immigrant orphan, escape together towards a new start.

Presented by the Calgary Italian Cultural Centre.

Octav

2017, 1h 40m, Romania

Director: Serge Ioan Celebidachi

Starts: 19:30 hrs, Theater 1

Trailer on Youtube, and more on IMDB

Writers: Serge Ioan Celebidachi, James Olivier

When an elderly man returns to his family home after decades of absence, the apparition of his childhood sweetheart triggers a rewind to the life-changing events from his youth.

Presented by the Romanian Canadian Cultural Association of Calgary, and the Honorary Consulate of Romania in Alberta.

Becoming Astrid

2018, 2h 03m, Sweden

Director: Pernille Fischer Christensen

Starts: 17:00 hrs, Theater 1

More on IMDB

Writers: Kim Fupz Aakeson, Pernille Fischer Christensen.

Biopic of Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren, the author of numerous children’s books and creator of Pippi Longstocking.

Presented by the Swedish Society of Calgary.

The Eighth Commissioner

2018, 2h 19m, Croatia

Director: Ivan Salaj

Starts: 20:00 hrs, Theater 2

More on IMDB

Writers: Renato Baretic (novel), Ivan Salaj

Sinisa Mesjak is an ambitious politician who gets involved in a scandal. In order to keep him away from the public eye, the government sends him to Trecic, an isolated Croatian island with no telephone or internet signal.

Presented by the Sounds of Croatia Radio Program Calgary, and the Calgary Cinematheque.

Monday, November 4th, 2019

The Mover

2018, 1h 30m, Latvia

Director: Davis Simanis Jr.

Starts: 18:15 hrs, Theater 1

More on IMDB

Writer: Davis Simanis Jr.

Zanis Lipke’s family’s efforts to save the Jews during World War II and the rise of the child in a tragic historical situation.

Presented by the Alberta Latvian Society “Laima” , and the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Canada.

The Resistance Banker

2018, 2h 3m, The Netherlands

Director: Joram Lürsen

Starts: 20:00 hrs, Theater 2

More on IMDB

Writers: Marieke van der Pol, Thomas van der Ree, Matthijs Bockting. Michael Leendertse, Joost Reijmers, Pieter van den Berg.

In Nazi-occupied Amsterdam, banker brothers Walraven and Gijs van Hall face their greatest challenge yet when they decide to help fund the Dutch resistance.

Presented by the Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Tuesday, November 5th, 2019

 

Her Job

2018, 1h 29m, Greece

Director: Nikos Labôt

Starts: 18:15 hrs, Theater 1

More on IMDB

Writers: Katerina Kleitsioti (screenwriter), Nikos Labôt (screenwriter).

Panayiota gets for the first time a job as a cleaner in an attempt to support her family. While at her work environment she faces a ruthless system of exploitation, she spends the happiest period of her so far dull life. But this is not to last for long as the first layoffs are to arrive soon.

Presented by the Hellenic Society of Calgary.

A Cat with A Dog

2018, 1h 42m, Poland

Director: Janusz Kondratiuk

Starts: 20:00 hrs, Theater 2

More on IMDB

Writers: Anna Gronowska (screenplay associate), Janusz Kondratiuk, Dominik W. Rettinger.

Estranged brothers Andrzej and Janusz are both acclaimed film directors. When older Andrzej gets paralyzed after the stroke, Janusz and his wife decide to take care of him.

Presented by the Polish Canadian Cultural Centre.

Wednesday, November 6th, 2019

Glory

2016, 1h 41m, Bulgaria

Directors: Kristina Grozeva, Petar Valchanov

Starts: 18:15 hrs, Theater 1

More on Film Movement, and IMDB

Writers: Kristina Grozeva, Decho Taralezhkov, Petar Valchanov.

A reclusive Bulgarian railway trackman finds millions of cash spilled on the tracks and turns them in to the police. When the transport ministry’s head of PR Julia Staikova decides to use him as a diversion from a corruption scandal, his simple life falls victim to the grinder of bureaucracy. – John Detch

Presented by the Calgary Bulgarian Society.

I Love You Heavenly

2017, 1h 30m, The Czech Republic

Director: Milos Smídmajer

Starts: 20:15 hrs, Theater 2

More on IMDB

Writers: Lucie Boksteflová (contribution), Pavel Brycz (contribution), Jaroslav Papousek.

A romantic comedy from Jaroslav Papousek, the creator of the legendary Homolkovy family and the cult films Black Peter and Loves of a Blonde (a coworker of Milos Forman). A story about how he taught her to see the world, and how she taught him to love.

Presented by the Czech Business Association of Canada.

Thursday, November 7th, 2019

 

Becoming Astrid

2018, 2h 03m, Sweden

Director: Pernille Fischer Christensen

Starts: 18:00 hrs, Theater 1

More on IMDB

Writers: Kim Fupz Aakeson, Pernille Fischer Christensen.

Biopic of Swedish writer Astrid Lindgren, the author of numerous children’s books and creator of Pippi Longstocking.

Presented by the Swedish Society of Calgary, and Owl’s Nest Books.

The Other Side of Everything

2017, 1h 40m, Serbia

Director: Mila Turajlic

Starts: 20:15 hrs, Theater 2

Trailer on Youtube, and more on IMDB

Writer: Mila Turajlic

For Serbian filmmaker Mila Turajlic, a locked door in her mother’s apartment in Belgrade provides the gateway to both her remarkable family history and her country’s tumultuous political inheritance.

Presented by the Serbian Fest Calgary, and Serbian Cultural Society Frula.

Friday, November 8th, 2019

Octav

2017, 1h 40m, Romania

Director: Serge Ioan Celebidachi

Starts: 18:00 hrs, Theater 1

Trailer on Youtube, and more on IMDB

Writers: Serge Ioan Celebidachi, James Olivier

When an elderly man returns to his family home after decades of absence, the apparition of his childhood sweetheart triggers a rewind to the life-changing events from his youth.

Presented by the Romanian Canadian Cultural Association of Calgary, and the Honorary Consulate of Romania in Alberta.

Beautiful Corruption

2018, 1h 48m, Moldova

Director: Eugen Damaschin

Starts: 20:00 hrs, Theater 2

Trailer on Youtube, and more on IMDB 

Writer: Eugen Damaschin

In his fight for justice, Andrei resorts to some methods that are not exactly legal. What will be the price he has to pay in order to get what he wants?

Presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Moldova in Canada, and Asociatia Comunitatii Moldovenilor din Calgary.

Saturday, November 9th, 2019

 

Inner City

2018, 2h 00m, Azerbaijan

Director: Ilgar Safat

Starts: 13:30 hrs, Theater 1

Trailer on Youtube, and more on Azerbaijan Film 

Writers: Tahmina Rafaella (screenplay),
Tahmina Rafaella (written by), Ilgar Safat (additional dialogue).

“At some point,” Rafael tells Arzu, “people walk together … and then their ways part … each destined to follow the labyrinth of their own inner city …” Arzu, a young girl growing up in contemporary Azerbaijan, falls in love with Rafael, her piano teacher’s son, a veteran of the Karabakh War. Twice her age and unable to escape from the ravages of war, Rafael is forced to live on the edge of a society that sees him as a ‘cripple.’ Arzu, desperate to escape from the same repressive society which confines women to a strict, narrow path, chooses Rafael over her family and friends – but threatened by Arzu’s mother, and guided by the wisdom born out of his own brokenness, Rafael makes the supreme sacrifice of love ….

Presented by the Alberta Azerbaijani Cultural Society.

Those who are fine

2017, 1h 11m, Switzerland

Director: Cyril Schäublin

Starts: 20:15 hrs, Theater 2

More on IMDB

Writer: Cyril Schäublin

Alice works in a call centre in the outskirts of Zurich, selling internet subscriptions and insurance deals to strangers on the other end of the line. Inspired by her job, she calls lonely grandmothers and pretends to be their granddaughter in urgent need of money.

Presented by the Swiss Cultural Society of Calgary.

Blind Spot

2018, 1h 38m, Norway

Director: Tuva Novotny

Starts: 16:00 hrs, Theater 2

Trailer on Trust Nordisk

Writer: Tuva Novotny

BLIND SPOT is a story about the grey zones in mental illness; the blind spots hard to discover, as experienced by a mother realizing her daughter struggling with far worse issues than she realized.

Presented by the Sons of Norway, Valhalla Lodge, and Centre for Suicide Prevention.

 

The Balloon

2018, 2h 05m, Germany

Director: Michael Herbig (as Michael Bully Herbig)

Starts: 18:00 hrs, Theater 1

Trailer on Youtube, and more on AZfilms 

Writers: Kit Hopkins (screenplay), Thilo Röscheisen (screenplay), Michael Herbig (screenplay) (as Michael Bully Herbig).

Balloon is a German thriller that deals with the crossing of the inner German border of the families Strelzyk and Wetzel from the GDR to West Germany with a homemade hot-air balloon.

Presented by the Association for German Education in Calgary, and the Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Calgary.

Sunday, November 10th, 2019

Wild Mouse

2017, 1h 43m, Austria

Director: Josef Hader

Starts: 14:15 hrs, Theater 1

Trailer on Youtube, and more on IMDB

Writer: Josef Hader

When Georg loses his job, he conceals the fact from his younger wife Johanna, who wants a child with him. Instead, he embarks upon a campaign of revenge against his former boss and begins to renovate a roller-coaster with an old school friend.

Presented by the Austrian Embassy in Ottawa, and Austria Cultural Forum.

Glory

2016, 1h 41m, Bulgaria

Directors: Kristina Grozeva, Petar Valchanov

Starts: 16:00 hrs, Theater 2

More on Film Movement, and IMDB

Writers: Kristina Grozeva, Decho Taralezhkov, Petar Valchanov.

A reclusive Bulgarian railway trackman finds millions of cash spilled on the tracks and turns them in to the police. When the transport ministry’s head of PR Julia Staikova decides to use him as a diversion from a corruption scandal, his simple life falls victim to the grinder of bureaucracy. – John Detch

Presented by the Calgary Bulgarian Society.

 

Champions

2018, 2h 04m, Spain

Director: Javier Fesser

Starts: 16:45 hrs, Theater 1

Trailer on Youtube, and more on LatidoFilms

Writers: Writers: David Marqués, Javier Fesser.

A basketball coach is sentenced to community service, forced to work with a team of mentally disabled players.

Presented by the Instituto Cervantes Calgary, Spain Arts & Cultures, Tecnicas Reunidas Canada E&C.

CEFF 2019 program highlights

Oscar Submissions

  • “The Mover” is Latvia official submission in Oscars 2020.
  • “Champions” was Spain official submission in Oscars 2019.
  • “The Eighth Commissioner” was Croatia official submission in Oscars 2019.
  • “The Resustance Banker” was Netherland official submission in Oscars 2019.
  • “Glory” was Bulgaria official submission in Oscars 2018.

Winners

  • “Glory” has won Don Quixote Award in 2016 Locarno International Film Festival.
  • “Balloon” has won German Film Award for Peace-The Bridge in 2019.
  • “The Eighth Commissioner” has won 5 major prizes in 2018 Pula Film Festival.
  • “Those Who Are Fine” has won Best Film Feature Award in 2017 Locarno International Film Festival.

Nominations

  • “Wild Mouse” was nominated for Golden Berlin Bear in 2017 Berlin International Film Festival.
  • “Her Job” was nominated for Discovety Award in 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.
  • “Those Who Are Fine” was nominated for Audience Award in 2018 Rotterdam International Film Festival.
  • “The Other Side of Everything” was nominated for Golden Firebird Award in 2018 HKIFF.ngs.