The first film in the lineup is the latest documentary by Irene Langemann, PAVLENSKY – Man and the Might. It's celebrating its world premiere on 1 November 2016 at DOK Leipzig, the International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film.
With great courage and dedication, Irene Langemann travelled to Russia in 2015 and 2016 to accompany the political artist Petr Pavlensky during his time as a free man as well as while he was in jail. Pavlensky's art actions include sewing his own mouth shut to demonstrate his solidarity with the convicted members of Pussy Riot, and nailing his scrotum to the Red Square as a symbol of the apathy and political indifference of today's Russian society. He was sent to jail after he set the main entrance of the former headquarters of the KGB, Lubyanka Castle, on fire. Irene Langemann's film follows this arch with artistic insight and style, presenting 99 minutes of undisguised, ironic and amusing insights into Putin's realm.
The documentary will reach German cinemas at the beginning of 2017. International distribution: Deckert GmbH. Deckert GmbH
The second feature-length documentary, On the Bridge of Death and Life, is the directorial debut of the Cologne-based filmmaker Lola Jia LIU. It'll celebrate its world premiere in Amsterdam at the IDFA, one of the most important documentary film festivals in the world. The documentary follows Chen Si as he saves lives on the large bridge spanning the Yangtze River in Nanjing. For over 10 years he has patrolled the bridge on weekends trying to prevent the desperate from jumping to their death — migrant workers, students and women, and the socially marginalized who feel pushed aside by the wake of the booming economy and promises of happiness. Chen Si and some of the rescued provide a deep insight into the everyday life of China.
The third documentary, A Way Out, by Cherelle Qiong Zheng of Peking, accompanies three young people as they grow into adulthood over a period of six years. All three want to have a share of the new prosperity of China, and fight for both their apprenticeship positions and good grades. As they come from different social stations, the obstacles they face are not the same. A sensitive, subtle and impartial film, A Way Out richly rewards the patience of audience. The film, which will be screened at the Festival Ecrans de Chine 2016, is having its world premiere on November 4th in Paris at Kino l’Entrepot. The festival will tour various cities across France, and will also visit Saarbrucken, Germany. Further information can be found at the festival's website festival.
Lichtfilm hat den Film koproduziert.
Der dritte Film, A WAY OUT von Cherelle Qiong Zheng aus Peking, begleitet 6 Jahre lang 3 Jugendliche auf ihrem Weg ins erwachsene Leben. Alle 3 wollen am neuen Wohlstand teilhaben und kämpfen um ihre Ausbildungsplätze und gute Noten. Sie entstammen unterschiedlichen sozialen Schichten und haben unterschiedliche Widerstände zu überwinden. Es ist ein feinfühliger, hintergründiger und unabhängiger Film entstanden, der die Geduld des Zuschauers reich belohnt.
Der Film wird auf dem Festival Ecrans de Chine 2016 gezeigt. Der Film feiert seine Weltpremiere am 4.11. in Paris im Kino l’Entrepot. http://www.lentrepot.fr/ Das Festival tourt durch verschiedene Städte in Frankreich. In Deutschland gastiert es in Saarbrücken. Mehr auf der Webseite des Festivals http://www.ecransdechine.com/actualites/
Lichtfilm hat den Film koproduziert.