"Festival of Festivals", "FORMA", "MIDNIGHT SPECIAL" Exclusive directors’ cut of a satiric thriller "Putin"

18 October 2024

Molodist Announces Non-Competitive Program

Traditionally, the non-competitive section of the Molodist showcases the best films from around the world. For cinephiles, attending these screenings is the only chance to see hits from renowned directors.

Following the previously announced film "THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG" by Mohammad Rasoulof, the program includes a selection of eight films from the Cannes Film Festival, Sundance, and others.

The festival will feature Matthew Rankin's new film " UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE" whose debut feature "The Twentieth Century" premiered at Berlinale and participated at "Molodist" in 2020. "The Universal Language" had its premiere this year in the Directors' Fortnight at Cannes, where it won the Audience Award. Rankin not only directed the film but also played the leading role. The events take place in his hometown of Winnipeg, Canada, which, strangely enough, is mostly populated by Iranians in the film. Two schoolgirls find a banknote in a frozen lake and try to retrieve it. Meanwhile, Rankin's character arrives in Winnipeg from Quebec in search of his childhood home and his mother.

Another participant is a Mexican film "SUJO" , created by a directors’ duet Astrid Rondero and Fernanda Valades, a 2020 "Molodist" winner with the film "Identifying Features". The story revolves around the young son of a deceased cartel leader. The shadow of violence follows the boy at every stage of his life. As he grows up, he begins to realize that fulfilling his father's fate may become inevitable.

The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize in the "World Cinema Dramatic" competition. The film is now a contender for the Oscars from Mexico.

Another Oscar competitor is "VERMIGLIO" by Maura Delpero, which has been chosen by Italy to take part in the American Academy Award. The film premiered at the 81st Venice Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize.

Audiences at "Molodist" will also have the opportunity to see films from the neighboring countries nominated for the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category. This includes the Latvian film " FLOW" directed by Gints Zilbalodis , which premiered in the "Un Certain Regard" section at the Cannes Film Festival and later won three awards at the Annecy Film Festival, the main animation festival in the world .

Additionally, in the "Festival of Festivals" section, there will be a screening of the film "PORCELAIN WAR" in Ukrainian-USA co-production; directed by Slava Leontyev and Brendan Bellomo. This film won the Grand Prize in the "US Documentary" section at the Sundance Film Festival.

Another Sundance laureate is an Argentinean film "GAUCHO GAUCHO" directed by Gregory Kershaw and Michael Dweck . The film explores the Argentine gauchos, communities of cowboys and cowgirls living outside the modern world. It premiered in the "American Documentary" competition, where it received a Special Jury Award for Sound. This directors’ duet is known for their film "The Truffle Hunters" which premiered at Sundance and won several awards from the Directors Guild of America, the American Society of Cinematographers, and more.

Scandar Copti’s Palestinian drama "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it won the Best Screenplay award in the "Horizons" section.

The documentary "A SUDDEN GLIMPSE TO DEEPER THINGS" directed by Mark Cousins, tells the story of the remarkable Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. This film won the Crystal Globe for "Best Film" at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

Films in the "Festival of Festivals" (FF) program:

UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE, Matthew Rankin, Canada, 2024, 89’
THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG, Mohammad Rasoulof, Germany, France, Iran, 2024, 168’
VERMIGLIO, Maura Delpero, Italy, 2024, 119’
SUJO, Astrid Rondero, Fernanda Valades, USA, Mexico, France, 2024, 126’
FLOW, Gints Zilbalodis, Latvia, 2024, 84’
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Scandar Copti, Palestine, Germany, Italy, France, Qatar, 2024, 84’
PORCELAIN WAR, Brendan Bellomo, Slava Leontyev, USA, Ukraine, 2024, 87’
GAUCHO GAUCHO, Gregory Kershaw, Michael Dweck, USA, 2024, 84’
A SUDDEN GLIMPSE INTO DEEPER THINGS, Mark Cousins, United Kingdom, 2024, 88’

Films in the "Special Event" (SE) program:

THE CATS OF THE GOKOGU SHRINE, Kazuhiro Soda, Japan, 2024, 119’
WARBOY, Marian Crisan, Romania, 2023, 87’
PUTIN, Patryk Vega, Poland, 2024, 145’
87 CHILDREN, Akhtem Seitablayev, Ukraine, Georgia, 2017, 96’
BROTHERS. THE FINAL CONFESSION, Victoria Trofimenko, Ukraine, 2013, 120’
A SENTIMENTAL TRAVEL TO THE PARAJANOV PLANET, Taras Tomenko, Ukraine, 2024, 80’
MOTHER AND DAUGHTER OR THE NIGHT IS NEVER COMPLETE, Lana Gogoberidze, France, Georgia, 2023, 89’

The "Special Events" section will host an exclusive screening of the festival version of the Polish film "PUTIN" directed by Patryk Vega. Audiences of "Molodist" will have the chance to see an exclusive cut of the satiric thriller, which differs from the theatrical release. The film addresses significant events in putin's political life, including the wars in Chechnya, the Dubrovka and Beslan terrorist attacks, as well as the most horrific incidents in Bucha, Irpin, and Mariupol.

“This film aims to explain to the world the so-called “Russian soul” and why Russians behave the way they do. It serves as a ''user manual'' for putin, outlining the rules of his game and the absurdity of Russian propaganda. The film seeks to ‘translate’ Eastern culture into a language the West can understand. I can do this because I grew up as a child in socialism, and now I work in audiovisual culture abroad. This is my artistic strike against putin, and my weapon is a camera” — Patryk Vega.

To highlight the resemblance of the lead actor and the Russian dictator, the filmmakers introduced the deepfake technology, allowing them to overlay putin's image onto the actor's face.

“I looked into the future and showed putin's death. This is what the free world wants to see” says the film's creator.

The film also includes documentary footage, featuring drone footage captured by Ukrainian operators, showing the consequences of missile strikes on cities and civilian infrastructure.

The film will premiere in Ukraine on 16th January, 2025.
Film. UA Distribution.

A Ukrainian film retrospective will take place within the "Special Events" section at Molodist. "BROTHERS. THE FINAL CONFESSION" by Victoria Trofimenko and "87 CHILDREN" by Akhtem Seytablayev

In the "FORMA" program, the selection committee of "Molodist" traditionally chooses films that stand out for their innovative cinematic language and bold expression of the authors. These are the most radical films of the year, representing experimental cinema. This section will also feature a world premiere: "INTERCONTINENTAL" filmed by Peruvian director Salomon Pérez.

Additionally, there are new films favorites of the international festivals, including "EIGHT POSTCARDS FROM UTOPIA" directed by the sharp-minded Radu Jude, with the philosopher Cristian Ferenc-Flatz as co-director. The world premiere took place at the Locarno Film Festival, and after "Molodist" it will be shown at the IDFA, the leading documentary film festival in Amsterdam.

"EIGHT POSTCARDS FROM UTOPIA" is a documentary film created using exclusively post-socialist commercials from Romania. It compiles archival materials from the country's long transition to a market economy. Radu Jude is one of the most famous representatives of the "Romanian New Wave" in the world, with nearly all of his films having been showcased at "Molodist." In 2021, his film "Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn" won the main prize at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival and had a theatrical release in Ukraine.

Another festival favorite in the "FORMA" section is South Korean director Hong Sang-soo. His new film "BY THE STREAM" is presented in the program. The film premiered at the Locarno International Film Festival, where it won the award for Best Female role.

The film "ELECTRIC FIELDS " by Lisa Gertsch consists of 6 separate episodes.A man wanders into the forest and mysteriously disappears. The seasons blend together. Lovers transcend time and space. One morning, everything changes. The film tells the story of lonely heroes who have come to terms with a grim reality full of unfulfilled dreams.

The film "THE END (ARTIFICIAL FRAGMENTS OF HUMANKIND)" is the feature debut of brothers Aurélien and Olivier Héraud and was showcased at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. It explores the story of artificial intelligence capable of creating screenplays. Or perhaps it’s about Esther, whose life revolves around fulfilling the needs of a sadistic rabbit? Maybe it’s about Corinne, who is pursued by a lecherous boss? Or about young Lazaridis, who strangles women in his sleep each night? What if they are all connected to one another on a conscious level?

The German film "SMELL OF BURNT MILK" that was presented at the Munich Film Festival, tells the story of German female farmers. For director Justin Bauer, this theme is familiar, as she herself grew up on a farm.

Films in the "FORMA" (4MA) program:

ELECTRICAL FIELDS, Lisa Gertsch, Switzerland, 2024, 80’
THE END (ARTIFICIAL FRAGMENTS OF HUMANKIND), Aurélien Héraud, Olivier Héraud, France, 2024, 104’
SMELL OF BURNT MILK, Justine Bauer, Germany, 2024, 79’
INTERCONTINENTAL, Salomón Pérez, Peru, 2024, 93’
EIGHT POSTCARDS FROM UTOPIA, Radu Jude, Christian Ferencz-Flatz, Romania, 2024, 71’
BY THE STREAM, Hong Sang Soo, South Korea, 2024, 111’

For the "Midnight Special" section, the festival's programming team has selected films that are standout examples of contemporary horror and thriller genres. This program was launched several years ago and was literally screened at midnight before the full-scale invasion.

We will showcase the new film "KRAZY HOUSE" by directors Steffen Haars and Flip Van der Kuil. This Dutch duo of writers and directors has set box office records in the Netherlands, with all their films topping theatrical charts thanks to their unique comedy style. Their fifth collaboration, "KRAZY HOUSE" also marks their English-language debut. Set in the 1990s, the story follows Bernie, whose home is invaded by Russian criminals. He must save his family from these barbarians, but gradually begins to lose his sanity. The film features stars like Alicia Silverstone, Nick Frost, and Jan Bijvoet.

The film "GAZER" had its world premiere in Cannes and is the feature debut of American director Ryan J. Sloan.

Tyler Mann's thriller "I VOTED" tells the story of a group of people who find themselves locked inside a polling station during a tense presidential election. They begin to discuss what they avoided… politics.

The horror film "CHAINSAWS WERE SINGING" received an award at the leading genre festival, Fantasia International Film Festival. It narrates how the idyllic life of a loving couple is disrupted by a madman with a chainsaw.

We will also screen the Italian comedy sci-fi "ROME - STRANGE TALES FROM THE BLOCK" and the horror film "VIRGO" by Swedish director Jacob Ivar Ekvall.