The 14th Movies That Matter Film Festival has unveiled has unveiled the list of 7 short films nominated for the Shorts Award of the 2022 festival, which is scheduled to take place from the April 8-16, 2022 in the Dutch city of The Hague, and in cities across the country, in the context of both in-person and virtual festival.
Started in 1995, Movies That Matter Festival aims to showcase the movies focusing on the situations in which human rights are being violated and human dignity is at stake. The festival aims to open eyes for human rights, and screens movies related to human rights. The stimulation of screenings of human-rights films is the core mission of the Movies That Matter Festival.
The Movies That Matter Festival has nominated 7 short films as nominees to compete for the Shorts Award competition of the 2022 festival.
The nominated short films for the Shorts Award of the Movies That Matter Festival are:
'Beast' by Hugo Covarrubias / from Chile
'Freedom Swimmer' by Olivia Martin McGuire / from France, Australia
'Love, Dad' by Diana Cam Van Nguyen / from Czech Republic, Slovakia
'Maidenhood' by Xóchitl Enríquez Mendoza / from Mexico
'My Uncle Tudor' by Olga Lucovnicova / from Belgium, Hungary, Portugal, Moldova
'Techno, Mama' by Saulius Baradinskas / from Lithuania
'Warsha' by Dania Bdeir / from France, Lebanon
Directed by by Hugo Covarrubias, 'Beast' portrays the life of a secret agent in the times of the Chilean military dictatorship. Her relationship with her body, her fears, her frustrations, and her dog reflect the ominous fractures in her homeland and her own consciousness. The use of porcelain dolls, wool and paper create a beautiful vulnerable animation style.
Directed by Olivia Martin McGuire, 'Freedom Swimmer' tells the story of a man who tells his granddaughter about his failed attempts to flee from mainland China to Hong Kong in the 1970s. The movie alternates poignant animation with found footage from the recent protests in Hong Kong.
Directed by Diana Cam Van Nguyen, 'Love, Dad' tells the story of Diana who finds letters her dad, which he wrote her fifteen years ago when he was in prison. Diana reflects on what happened in the past and writes her father a letter.
The short documentary consists of beautiful collages with images, drawings and pieces of paper that retrace the time of her life when her dad was still present.
Directed by Xóchitl Enríquez Mendoza, 'Maidenhood' tells the story of the 17-year-old Catalina, who belongs to an indigenous community in Mexico where it is a tradition to prove your purity on your wedding day. When this moment arrives for Catalina, her body betrays her and she fails to demonstrate her chastity. This leads her to lose her chance of acceptance and respect by both her husband and her community.
In the short documentary 'My Uncle Tudor', Filmmaker Olga Lucovnicova returns to her grandparents’ home in Moldova where she meets with her family. At this family gathering, she is confronted with her uncle Tudor who abused her there several times at a young age. She films both the family reunion and the dialogues in which Olga confronts her uncle. These images are brimming with bravery and are supported by beautiful cinematography.
Directed by Saulius Baradinskas, 'Techno, Mama' tells the story of Nikita, who lives in Lithuania. He wants to pursue his 'techno dream' in bustling Berlin and visit the famous techno club 'Berghain'. However, his dreams are repressed by his mother who mentally and physically abuses him and knows nothing about his desires to leave. Techno, Mama sheds light on child abuse, a problem that is still common in Lithuania, and the impact it has on children.
Directed by Dania Bdeir, 'Warsha' follows a day in the life of Mohammad, a Syrian migrant who works as a crane operator in Beirut, Lebanon. From the moment he wakes up in a room full of other migrants, he never finds a moment of rest on his own. When he volunteers to cover a shift on one of the most dangerous lifting cranes, he finally finds a way to express his real nature and feel free.
The 14th edition of the Movies That Matter Festival takes place from the April 8-16, 2022 in the Dutch city of The Hague, and in cities across the country, in the context of both in-person and virtual festival.
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