Selection 2009

USA – Emo Riot Production 2008 – 83 min – Betacam SP.

SCREENINGS: Wed 19 Aug 2 p.m., Fri 21 Aug 7 p.m. (Plaza 5)

Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records is a good reminder that the history of punk rock cannot afford to ignore the early 1980s Los Angeles movement of more aggressive punk.

During those frantic times, the brothers Shawn & Mark Stern founded the Better Youth Organization which has kept the L.A. punk scene alive with its persistent do-it-yourself spirit, and also spawned one of the oldest punk rock labels. The rise and fall of BYO is commented by a wide array of punk rockers, members of NOFX and Fugazi among them. Trailer

India, Tibet, USA - Guge Productions 2009 - 86 min - Betacam SP.

The screening of the film Tibet in Song has been cancelled.

Tibet in Song is an arresting portrayal of Tibetan folk music, and the cultural identity of an oppressed people. As China seeks to silence Tibet, there is a danger of losing the unique folk tradition altogether.

The struggle for freedom and preservation of cultural identity is personified in the director Ngawang Choephel. Choephel was imprisoned by the Chinese authorities while he was collecting the folk music of his native country. He was sentenced without a proper trial to 18 years in prison for espionage. Choephel served seven years of his sentence before he managed to get out with the help of his supporters and human rights organizations. This powerful directorial debut, awarded also in the Sundance Film Festival, shows an uncensored, and until now unseen side of Tibet.

An in-depth look behind the scenes of the riotous gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello and their frontman Eugene Hütz. The documentary follows the band for over five years, tracking their rise from an underground legend into an internationally known phenomenon. Recordings of their rollicking live performances become interlocked with interviews that deal with the band members’ experiences with immigration and the formation of a musical collective. The band’s wild live performances bear a socio-political message but also convey an enormous joy of just playing music. Trailer

Director Margarita Jimeno and Producer Darya Zhuk are attending the screenings for Q&A.

USA – Hoptza Films 2008 - 87 min - Digibeta.

SCREENINGS: Wed 19 Aug 6 p.m., Fri 21 Aug 3 p.m. (Plaza 5)

A touching story of the Danish reggae artist Natasja Saad whose dream was to break through in Jamaica. Years of hard work is rewarded by her success in Denmark and first place in a talent competition in Jamaica – as the first ever non-Jamaican. But the unpredictability of life leads the story to a tragic end. The film goes through Natasja’s life, drawing a picture of an unreserved and persistent woman who strives passionately towards realizing her dream in spite of setbacks.

Denmark – Rosforth 2008 -54 min - Digibeta.

SCREENINGS: Wed 19 Aug 8 p.m., Fri 21 Aug 2 p.m. (Plaza 5)

Sweden – Story 2009 - 87 min - Digibeta.

SCREENINGS: Thu 20 Aug 2 p.m., Sat 22 Aug 5 p.m. (Plaza 5)

Am I Black Enough For You digs into the roots of soul music and culture in Philadelphia. Through the life of a soul singer Billy Paul who started his career with Charlie Parker and Miles Davis among others, the film opens the world of racism, the fight for black human rights and African-American history. For Billy Paul, soul music has always been a tool for personal fight for freedom - the lyrics of the title song almost ended his career because they were considered too radical. Paul refused to make apologies to the white power elite and kept on fighting with the strong support of his emphatic wife. The film also gives an interesting insight into the history of music industry with intriguing details about the 70s record business.

Poland – Quartet 2008 - 55 min - Betacam SP.

SCREENINGS: Thu 20 Aug 4 p.m., Sat 22 Aug 4 p.m. (Plaza 5)

This warm-hearted documentary is a journey to the roots of the renaissance genius Boguslaw Schaeffer’s extraordinary art. On the way from Schaeffer’s home to the centre of Krakow there are 13 streetcar stops. The composer assumes that he ought to work 13 new ideas during the journey. In the documentary his experimental music becomes illustrated by the chaotic bustle of Krakow traffic. Schaeffer’s music is a natural way of self-expression, a native language of sorts – and he feels it is his mission to reshape music. In addition to constantly composing, he illustrates, writes plays and teaches the art of composing. Trailer

Director Maciej Pisarek is attending the screening for Q&A on Saturday.

USA – ZU33, Dreamy Draw, Twinkle Cash, SpeakEasy Films 2008 - 73 min - Digibeta.

SCREENINGS: Thu 20 Aug 5 p.m., Sat 22 Aug 2 p.m. (Plaza 5)

Music starts from the heartbeat. This ambitious work seeks an answer to the timeless question of what music is. In the 1970s, a golden vinyl was sent out into space hoping that planet Earth would be remembered for its music.Now Elijah Wood, John Frusciante and Juliette Lewis, along with numerous musicians, share their experiences and theories of creating music and its comprehensive power. The profound relationship between music and the human body becomes clear when the film takes us to meet deaf musicians. The world of music in itself is something larger that human nature – the yearning for music is universal. Trailer

Director Christopher Pomerenke and Executive Producer Chris McDaniel are attending the screenings for Q&A.

Germany – Schueppel-Films 2009 - 92 min - Digibeta.

SCREENINGS: Thu 20 Aug 7 p.m., Sat 22 Aug 12 a.m. (Plaza 5)

The West German industrial band Einstürzende Neubauten received an exceptional opportunity to perform in East Germany in 1989. Before the reunion of Berlin it had been almost impossible to access the culture on the other side of the wall. At that time, the music of Einstürzende Neubauten represented freedom from the system and inflexible structures.

Twenty years later the East German fans walk back to the site of the concert and look back at that special day that also reflects the unification of East and West.