Festival Diary Day 6

At the Kant Kino yesterday, the audience stayed late into the evening, asking questions to director D.W. Young and protagonist James Hamilton. With "Uncropped", we dove into the thrilling life of the New York photographer. James Hamilton shared anecdotes from his daily life in the photography and art scenes during the Q&A. The atmosphere at Kant Kino was cozy and intimate, allowing for close conversations between the audience, the protagonist, and the director.

A similarly special, intimate, and emotional atmosphere arose at the DASHI Canteen. The Vietnamese-German and Vietnamese-American communities gathered for the screening in this Vietnamese restaurant, almost feeling like a big family, as one of our volunteers reported. In the film "New Wave", director Elizabeth Ai takes a personal and vulnerable look back at her own past. As a young mother, the Vietnamese-American filmmaker reflects on her childhood, growing up with her aunt, and her complicated relationship with her own mother. During the Q&A after the film, two men spoke up. One was so moved by the film that he already knew he would cry when he got home. Another man shared that he allowed himself to cry during the film. We are grateful for such a wonderful evening.

At the D’Hub, the "Facing Repressions" talk focused on the dangers filmmakers and journalists regularly face in their work. Together, Ramona Diaz, Karl Malakunas, Ibrahim Nash’at, and Milan Vukelić, moderated by Leni Velasco, discussed their experiences and exchanged stories. “If I hadn’t done therapy, I don’t think I would have been able to maintain access,” said director Ibrahim Nash’at about his work on the documentary "Hollywoodgate". For this film, he followed the Taliban as they transformed from a fundamentalist militia into a military regime. Maintaining access to the Taliban was not easy, but it was essential for his unique project. If you want to learn more about his film, read our Dokumentale interview with the director

These are our highlights for today. Enjoy!

Meet the author: “A Darker Electricity”

Are you ready to dive into the wild world of underground rave culture? Mark Angelo Harrison, co-founder of Spiral Tribe, will be taking us on a thrilling ride through the free party scene of the 1990s. From defying the government to throwing massive warehouse raves, this book has it all. Mark will be sharing untold stories and signing copies—don’t miss out on meeting the ‘ringleader’ himself!

16.October, 3 pm, Nicoleta Galerie Berlin

Enjoy D’Salon: Invisible Barriers

Racism in healthcare? Yep, it’s a very real thing. Invisible Barriers tackles how medical systems have long neglected ethnic minorities—with devastating effects. Layal Liverpool, author of Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Ill, breaks it down, showing how systemic racism in medicine affects real lives. Join us for a much-needed conversation about how we can push for a fairer healthcare system. After the talk, we will be screening the film Who Cares, about how medical staff are trained in empathy.

16 Oct 2024, 6.30 p.m., Festival Centre D’24

Film spotlight: Warm Film

What happens when two actors get cast in a film with gay love scenes? In Warm Film, they embark on a journey through the history of queer cinema in Yugoslavia while grappling with contemporary homophobia and nationalism. This film is a powerful examination of identity, art, and the fear of being labelled. If you’re into films that make you think, this one’s for you!

16.October, 8:30 pm, City Kino Wedding

So, whether you’re joining us for book readings, deep discussions, or thought-provoking films, there’s a lot to be excited about today. Let’s keep the inspiration flowing and the conversations going. See you there!