Cottbus (dpa / bb) – Under the impression of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, this year’s Cottbus East European Film Festival (FFC) starts this Tuesday (19:00). It is one of the world’s leading film forums in Eastern Europe. This year, Ukraine will still receive an even greater presence than expected, program director Bernd Buder told the German news agency. It is not difficult, the country belongs to one of the most creative cinematic landscapes in Europe. The show will also open with a Ukrainian film, the comedy “Luxembourg Luxembourg”.
Films about Russia are shown, but not by Russian directors, with the exception of one documentary maker. Buder clarifies: “This is not the time to celebrate Russian cinema at all.” The decision to do so was clear within the team. At the same time, Buder makes no secret of the fact that evaluation as a cultural institution has not been easy. After all, a country is boycotted, but the festival still sees itself as a place for dialogue.
Buder reports on the situation of Ukrainian directors, some of whom work and live in adverse conditions. “There have been a few director’s emails where the directors said to us: sorry if I didn’t answer, I was in the front row,” says the program director.
At the festival, Ukraine is planning a film in almost all categories. On this day, Ukrainian refugees have the opportunity to watch films for free upon presentation of their passports.
According to Buder, Russian films are not strictly excluded. Numerous filmmakers have turned their backs on Russia in protest in recent months or, despite all the dangers, have made critical statements in their own country. We want to shake their hand and give them a voice. According to Buder, Russian director Nina Guseva’s independent documentary “The Case” is scheduled about a human rights lawyer defending an anti-Putin protester. According to Buder, it is difficult to understand how independent films were born from Russia.
A total of 219 films from 48 production countries will be screened in Cottbus this year: from an Estonian comedy reminiscent of the style of Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki to a Polish film that addresses homosexuality in the provinces. In three competitions, a jury of the international festival will select the best feature film, the best directorial result and the best individual performance.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 221108-99-427167 / 2
