Eurodocs is running now at at the Aero Theatre, Santa Monica and will continue until October 22, 2008. Eleven films will be screened at the Eurodocs, this eclectic 11 film showcase featuring 10 Los Angeles premieres of new European produced documentaries is an opportunity to journey into unfamiliar cultures and subcultures and to meet some unique individuals as viewed through a contemporary European lens. At the core of these films, are the stories of citizens of the world making their way in the 21st century — following or breaking tradition in human experiences that by far supersede geographic borders.
Thursday, October 16 – 7:30 PM – Triple Feature
Los Angeles Premiere!
SOURCE OF INSPIRATION
2008, Sweden, 14 min. Dir. Linda Blomqvist.
A documentary portrait of a Saami artist living alone in the untouched wilderness of Lapland in northern Sweden. Remote living allows him the undisturbed space for his philosophies on life and continuous inspiration for his art.
Los Angeles Premiere!
VOYAGE IN G MAJOR
2007, France, 54 min. Dir. Georgi Lazarevski.
Ninety-year-old Aime Helbing has spent his life being practical and decides it is time to change. Taking off to Morocco with his grandson (Lazarevski), joined only by a small camera crew, Aime experiences what he has always dreamt of. A poetic journey — the film, which premiered at the 2007 SilverDocs Film Festival, “…offers the message that one is never too old to embrace life’s joys and challenges.” — Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Los Angeles Premiere!
SOUS LE CHAPITEAU DES PAUWELS
2008, Belgium, 51 min. Dir. Agnès Bensimon.
An intimate look at an extraordinary, nomadic Jewish family of clowns, musicians and jugglers who have passed on the circus arts, as well as Judaism, from one generation to another for the past 200 years.
Friday, October 17 – 7:30 PM – Double Feature
Los Angeles Premiere!
MARTHA, MEMORIES OF A WITCH
2007, Italy, 50 min. Dir. Giovanni Calamari.
Martha mirrors an ancient mountain environment with its traditions, tales and scented herbs, but also hard work and loneliness. She wanders the Sciliar Highlands for self-realization, which her fellow villagers call “Martha’s disease,” but the headstrong young woman discovers her magic self. Winner of the 2005 “Autori da scoprire” for Best Story.
Los Angeles Premiere!
VIENNA’S LOST DAUGHTERS
2007, Austria, 87 min. Dir. Miriam Unger.
This is a film about life. Eight women, who grew up Jewish in Vienna until 1938, now live in New York, where they rebuilt their lives. Director Miriam Unger encounters them with great emotion, providing insight into extremely personal areas of their lives. The film catches the twinkle in their eyes and the openness of their faces but also their tears when remembering the unforgettable
Saturday, October 18 – 7:30 PM – Double Feature
RETURN TO GOREE
2007, Switzerland, 112 min. Dir. Pierre-Yves Borgeaud.
Grammy-winning musician Youssou N’Dour’s musical journey around the globe, from Atlanta to Bordeaux. He is accompanied by his friend, a blind pianist, and the duo immerse themselves in gospel and jazz. The film culminates in a concert in Goree, an island off the coast of Senegal.
Los Angeles Premiere!
FULL METAL VILLAGE
2007, Germany, 90 min. Dir. Sung-Hyung Cho.
Every year during the first weekend in August, the quiet town of Schleswig-Holstein becomes a meeting spot for the Wacken Open Air Festival, 40,000 heavy metal fans and the bands that they come to support. An inevitable clash arises between the rural community and the metalheads
Sunday, October 19 – 7:30 PM – Double Feature
Los Angeles Premiere!
HERE’S JOHNNY
2008, U.K., 60 min. Dir. Kat Mansoor.
At once, a powerful, painful and humorous portrait of graphic artist Johnny Hicklenton’s (Judge Dredd and 2000 AD) battle with multiple sclerosis over a six year period. Living in an increasing state of immobility, Johnny escapes the confines of his front room through his artwork.
Los Angeles Premiere!
THE GREAT COMMUNIST BANK ROBBERY
2004, Romania/France, 70 min. Dir. Alexandru Solomon.
The 1959 Romanian National Bank robbery in Bucharest became a chilling piece of proto-reality television — Stalinist style. Authorities arrested six suspects — all high-ranking members of the nomenklatura — who agreed to re-enact their crimes in a filmed “docudrama.” Despite expectations of a pardon, they were executed. Director Alexandru Solomon’s film is both a bizarre re-creation and an evocation of a lost world of Romanian Stalinism.
Wednesday, October 22 – 7:30 PM – Double Feature
Los Angeles Premiere!
PRETPARK NEDERLAND
2006, The Netherlands, 90 min. Dir. Michiel van Erp.
In his tongue-in-cheek style, director Michiel van Erp explores the Dutch tourism industry, following organizers behind events and attractions — from the director of the Efteling theme park’s creation of a new ride to a store manager preparing for a Christmas sale. A look at how the Dutch spend vacation time.
more (Dutch)…
Los Angeles Premiere!
ZUOZ
2007, Principality of Liechtenstein, 71 min. Dir. Daniella Marxer.
A behind-the-scenes look at an exclusive boarding school high in the Swiss mountains, where youngsters from the most influential families live lives apart from each other. Director Daniella Marxer looks at day-to-day life governed by strict and traditional values. Originality is not tolerated and threatens the system of the community.
Eurodocs festival is presented in collaboration with IDA and ELMA. With the support of the Consulates of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, the Principality of Liechtenstein, Goethe Institut-Los Angeles, the Italian Film Commission and the UK Film Council US.