20/10/2010

The (October 18-24) is in full swing in the big East German city with a bumper line-up: 346 films representing 58 countries, including 223 documentaries. As always, the event is an opportunity to tackle important political themes, like war, the environment and democracy.

Except for one Middle Eastern title, the international documentary competition includes only European fare: Susana de Sousa Dias’s film about Salazar’s dictatorship, 48 (Portugal); Titus Faschina’s pastoral German/Romanian co-production Close to Heaven; Dreaming Films by Belgian director Eric Pauwels; Eric Deroo and Jacques Perrin’s French film Empire of Mid-South; Jacqueline Zünd’s insomnia-themed German/Swiss documentary Goodnight Nobody; Polish films Let's Run Away From Her by Marcin Koszalka and The North of Calabria by Marcin Sauter; Berghäll Joonas and Mika Hotakainen’s Finnish/Swedish title Steam of Life, which observes men chatting at the sauna; and Jerzy Sladkowski’s Swedish production Vodka Factory.

In the documentary format, there are other competitions for short films, German titles and young talents. In addition, a vast non-competitive section will present a comprehensive panorama of documentaries from across the world, with over 50 titles (including Danish director Janus Metz’s gripping Cannes winner Armadillo [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Janus Metz, director of Arm…
film profile]).

Other sections include a tribute to German documentary filmmaker Klaus Wildenhahn, "Caucasian Lessons" and a sidebar on the theme of money. To round off the experience, DOK Leipzig is hosting masterclasses (with Wildenhahn and Serguey Dvortsevoy, who is also the subject of a special programme), meetings and discussions.

Animated films have had their own competition since 1995. This year, 32 titles hailing from 17 different countries (selected from among 800 candidates from 52 countries) are vying for honours. They have been divided into three sub-sections: childhood, travelling and the big problems facing humanity. A non-competitive international Panorama is also on offer, as well as a masterclass led by Bill Plympton and discussions.

Since 2004, DOK Leipzig has also organised many events as part of DOK Industry, reserved for professionals. These include a market, meetings aimed at promoting the creation of a network and co-productions, pitch sessions, screenings, debates and a forum on innovation in television documentaries.

(Translated from French)