The time of the May holidays is conducive to relaxation — a moment to pause and reflect before the pace accelerates and we look only forward. So let's summarize what we already know about the program of the 24th mBank New Horizons IFF (July 18-28): there’s a lot to look forward to.
From canonical films and retrospectives showcasing auteur cinema to bravura debuts and brilliant discoveries, to films with a masterful stamp of quality.
Festival pass sales are underway, and we'll see you in Wroclaw in just over two months!
A step into the past: Retrospectives
During the festival, there will be the opportunity to explore further sources of New Horizonian cinema. This year's retrospectives focus on: Nagisa Ōshima known for his sensual storytelling, and Yvonne Rainer, whose work captures the choreography of everyday life for cinematic purposes. Breaking taboos, vividly capturing the social unrest, reckoning with Japanese imperialism and, above all, exquisite authorial language are Ōshima's hallmarks. While Rainer will delight in disarming the claustrophobic language of the avant-garde and broadening its scope of influence — by incorporating personal experiences, irony, and humor.
As part of the dive into history, we'll delve into the history of African New Waves and get acquainted with the continent's remarkably diverse cinema. The section's program includes works that push the boundaries of cinematic language in creative dialogue with local traditions, representing a search for new quality in both form and content. Additionally, we'll present a selection of classic titles from 1963-1981 with a New Wave twist, along with corresponding contemporary films.
The icing on the cake of the classics shown at this year's festival will be a screening of Jacques Tati's Playtime, organized in cooperation with Michał Oleszczyk, author of the SpoilerMaster podcast.
And that's not all of this year's retrospectives — stay tuned for more.
A step into the future: Discoveries and Waves
For years we’ve been keeping tabs on and seeking out talented filmmakers who, on one hand, emerge as fresh voices in the global cinematic landscape, and on the other hand, become regulars at New Horizons, with each subsequent film eagerly anticipated. This journey is reflected in two sections: Discoveries, primarily focusing on debuts and second films, and Waves, showcasing distinctive personalities and strong voices recognized at world festivals.
Discoveries will feature Rei by Toshihiko Tanaka, winner of the Tiger Award at the recent Rotterdam IFF, Cu Li Never Cries by Pham Ngoc Lân, recipient of the debut award at this year's Berlinale, Excursion by Una Gunjak acclaimed at Locarno, and Dormitory by Nehir Tuna, arriving straight from the Venice Film Festival.
Waves will showcase Isabella Eklöf's Kalak, winner of the 18. New Horizons for Holiday, Housekeeping for Beginners by Goran Stolevski, recipient of the Queer Lion at Venice, All Shall Be Well by Ray Yeung, winner of the Teddy Award at the Berlinale, The Monk and the Gun by Pawo Choyning Dorjie — author of Lunana, My Favorite Cake by Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeh, winner of the FIPRESCI Award, and All the Long Nights from Shô Miyaki, director of Small, Slow But Steady.
A step into the unknown: Lost Lost Lost
The program will also include a New Horizonian classic, the Lost Lost Lost section, featuring films that, while extremely interesting, escaped the festival spotlight in previous years. The repertoire includes titles like Mission to Mars by Amata Vallmajor del Pozo, James Benning's Allensworth, Fabrizio Ferrara's The Dead Remain With Their Mouth Open, and Ewelina Rosińska's Ashes by Name is Man.
A step into the world: Smart7
Presenting films that broaden our view of the world has always been our festival’s main objective. Last year we took a step further by collaborating with six unique European film events to create the Smart7 network, in which we exchange experiences, learn new practices, and look for innovative solutions. This year, we continue this collaboration with the second installment of Smart7's special traveling competition, which includes Leonardo Mouramateus’ Greice, Tomas Vengrin’s Five and a Half Love Stories in an Apartment in Vilnius, the Romanian Where Elephants Go by Gabi Sarga, Helena Stefánsdóttir's Natatorium, Maria Zbąska's It’s Not My Film, María Royo and Julia de Castro’s On the Go, and The Summer with Carmen by Zacharias Mavroeidis.
A step into the night: Midnight Madness
Midnight Madness at the 24th mBank New Horizons IFF promises its trademark blend of pleasure on the edge of good taste and unicorn films, perfectly suited for late-night viewing. The evening program features a variety of captivating offerings, including David and Nathan Zellner's Sasquatch Sunset, a the monkey odyssey, Tilman Singer's Cuckoo, ahorror film about a boarding house in the middle of the wood, Julio Torres' Problemista, a sharp satire on the art world, and a double dose of the chief mocker of modern cinema, Quentin Dupieux, with Daaaaaalí! and Yannick.
The 24th mBank New Horizons IFF in Wroclaw will run from July 18-28, with the online portion of the event extending one week longer, until August 4. The full festival program will be announced on July 2, with ticket sales for screenings beginning on July 4.