19/10/2023 - The largest Czech documentary gathering has unveiled a full roster of 357 films, 115 of which are set for world premieres, exploring global changes through diverse lenses

The 27th edition of the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival (24-29 October, see the news) will showcase a line-up of 357 films. Of these, 115 are set to have their world premieres, while 22 and 17 will enjoy their international and European premieres, respectively. The programme boasts a diverse range of subjects and genres, including the Polish time-lapse documentary Distances [+see also:
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film profile] by Tonje Hessen Schei and Michael Rowley, which delves deep into the erosion of democratic values in the USA, shedding light on the influence of religious groups and TV pastors.

“The world in which we live is rapidly changing, and this year's Ji.hlava brings images of these transformations. The films in the programme are thematically and formally diverse, allowing us to recognise and contemplate the world's transformation,” comments festival director Marek Hovorka. He further elaborates, “Ji.hlava is a hub that resonates with vivid images from across the globe, knitting together filmmakers and enthusiasts. Spirited discussions often follow these films, akin to the energy at our discussion platform, the Inspiration Forum.”

Indeed, the Inspiration Forum, an integral part of the festival, is poised to spark discussions on contemporary subjects, such as food, space, water, community and the intriguing world of artificial intelligence. In connection with this year's theme, films such as Another Body by directorial duo Sophie Compton and Reuben Hamlyn, and The Other Profile by Armel Hostiou, address the repercussions of the misuse of deep-fake technology and the phenomenon of identity theft via social-media platforms.

The Opus Bonum competition section, dedicated to showcasing various trends in international documentary cinema, will feature 17 pictures, among them Nomad Solitude by Belgian director Sebastien Wielemans, capturing the tale of three elderly US women using their cars as homes; The Third End of the Stick by Slovak director Jaro Vojtek, presenting tales from Roma settlements in Slovakia, where the protagonists grapple with their identity amidst wider society and their community owing to factors like sexual orientation and religious beliefs; and A Cautionary Tale, an almost detective-like exploration by Ilinca Călugăreanu of a Romanian man, Constantin, who returns home after 25 years to discover he's considered dead.

The Czech Joy competition section, celebrating new Czech documentaries, will premiere 15 films. The festival director hints at "strong intergenerational dialogues", a focus on "artistic cinema" and films reflecting the "contemporary world in an international context", including locations like China, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and France. The domestic productions that will be showcased are Photophobia [+see also:
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film profile] by Slovak duo Ivan Ostrochovský and Pavol Pekarčík, portraying Kharkiv during the spring of 2022; Is There Any Place for Me, Please? by Jarmila Štuková, following the traumatic journey of Martina, an acid-attack survivor; and Bedwetter by Jan Hušek, a personal reflection on masculinity, childhood and transformation.

Lastly, the Testimonies competition section will showcase 12 movies highlighting global events, with Project 02 by Adam Diller, exposing the intricate operations and ecological impacts of Google's data centre in Oregon; The Hostage Takers by Danish creators Puk Damsgård and Søren Klovborg, delving into the grim acts of Islamic State fighters through survivor testimonies and first-hand interviews by a British journalist affected by the group's brutality; and The Many Lives of Édouard Louis by François Caillat, capturing the life of the titular influential French writer, who intertwines philosophy, sociology and autobiography in his works.

The festival’s full line-up is available to peruse here.