OFFICIAL SELECTION FOR RTF 2018
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ALESSANDRO JEDLOWSKI, RTF 2018 HEAD OF JURY
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2018 HEAD OF JURYAlessandro Jedlowski
Alessandro Jedlowski is a Belgian Scientific Research Fund post-doctoral fellow in anthropology of media at the University of Liège (Belgium) and a member of the Centre for the Study of Contemporary Africa of the University of Naples "L'Orientale" (Italy). His main research interests include African cinema, contemporary African visual arts, media and migration, the economy and politics of cultural production in Africa, piracy and informality in African media industries. He conducted research projects in Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, Senegal, Ethiopia and Côte d'Ivoire. He worked as a lecturer at the University of Rome “La Sapienza” (Italy), the University of Liège (Belgium), and the University of Turin (Italy) and presented research papers in several universities across Europe, Africa and North America including the University of Oxford (UK), Columbia University (USA), King’s College (London, UK), the EHESS (Paris, France), the Swimburne Institute of Technology (Melbourne, Australia), the University of Lagos (Nigeria), the University of Lagoon (Accra, Ghana) and many others. He has work experiences as consultant (with UNESCO, Bertha Foundation and Ford Fundation) and as festival organizer and artistic director in Italy, France and Portugal. He has been awarded funding for the organization of cultural and academic initiatives from a number of international funding bodies, such as the German Academy of Science, the Gulbenkian Foundation, the Marie Curie program, and the Belgian Scientific Research Fund. He is the member of the editorial board of the academic journal Politique Africaine (Karthala) and of the international advisory board of the Journal of African Cultural Studies (Routledge). He is the author of numerous publications in international academic journals and edited collections of essays in English, French and Italian (full list available at: https://myulg.academia.edu/AlessandroJedlowski). |
THE LOST CAFE
Country: NIGERIA
SYNOPSIS:
An uplifting story about a girl's decision to rise above dark family secrets and culture shock to live her dreams abroad. |
DIRECTOR - Kenneth Gyang |
THE SONG OF SWAY LAKE
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DIRECTOR: Arri Gold
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SYNOPSIS:
“The Song of Sway Lake” is a lush romantic drama about the vanished grace of America, and the spell cast by the melodies of the dead.
It’s summer on Sway Lake, the most glamorous lake in the Adirondacks - former playground of the jazz-age New York aristocracy. Music collector Ollie Sway recruits his only friend, a rowdy Russian drifter, to help him steal a 78 record from his own family’s estate. Ollie believes that this mysterious piece of music - recorded at his grandparents’ wedding by Cole Porter’s lover - was hidden for him by his father before his suicide. He believes possessing the record will change his life.
The boys’ mission should be as easy as meeting a pretty girl on the water, but the arrival of the beguiling matriarch herself, Charlie Sway, changes everything. For Charlie has her own plans. And this song that hasn’t been heard in half a century may possess the answer to the deepest riddles about love and death - for whichever of these three lost souls will be the first to find it.
Starring RORY CULKIN ("Signs"), ROBERT SHEEHAN ("Misfits," Peter Jackson's "Mortal Engines", 2018), MARY BETH PEIL (Tony nomination for Anastasia, 2017), ISABELLE MCNALLY, ELIZABETH PEÑA, and JACK FALAHEE.
Featuring vocal/music performances by JOHN GRANT, THE STAVES, and BRIAN DENNEHY.
It’s summer on Sway Lake, the most glamorous lake in the Adirondacks - former playground of the jazz-age New York aristocracy. Music collector Ollie Sway recruits his only friend, a rowdy Russian drifter, to help him steal a 78 record from his own family’s estate. Ollie believes that this mysterious piece of music - recorded at his grandparents’ wedding by Cole Porter’s lover - was hidden for him by his father before his suicide. He believes possessing the record will change his life.
The boys’ mission should be as easy as meeting a pretty girl on the water, but the arrival of the beguiling matriarch herself, Charlie Sway, changes everything. For Charlie has her own plans. And this song that hasn’t been heard in half a century may possess the answer to the deepest riddles about love and death - for whichever of these three lost souls will be the first to find it.
Starring RORY CULKIN ("Signs"), ROBERT SHEEHAN ("Misfits," Peter Jackson's "Mortal Engines", 2018), MARY BETH PEIL (Tony nomination for Anastasia, 2017), ISABELLE MCNALLY, ELIZABETH PEÑA, and JACK FALAHEE.
Featuring vocal/music performances by JOHN GRANT, THE STAVES, and BRIAN DENNEHY.
FORGIVENESS
THE SECRET OF PEACE
Runtime: 56:26
SYNOPSIS
This is a documentary film on the life and work of Fr. Ubald Rugirangoga, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide who returned to his country to bring healing, forgiveness and reconciliation to the people of Rwanda. The story follows Fr. Ubald, victims and perpetrators as they discuss their journey of reconciliation and peace through forgiveness.
THE DIRECTORPatrick Long, Katsey Long
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THE RACK PACK
Country: USA
Runtime 01:30:00
SYNOPSIS:
A children's storybook author reminisces about his childhood adventures with his brothers and friends. In a time before kids spent hours watching television, on the computer, playing video games and texting, they went to the park to play with their friends.
As military brats, these kids lived their own adventures. They lived a different sort of childhood that challenged their imaginations to soar to a different level. Following in their parents footsteps, they pretended to be soldiers as they played army in the woods. Life seemed simpler back then, until danger came to town. In our story, a cynical man comes across a Civil War Generals old map that may lead to long lost treasure buried deep in a mining tunnel. The kids come across the man and his team and learn about the treasure. Our heroes come up with a plan to try to find it first. Things take a serious turn when the kids are discovered. The thieves up their status and become kidnappers as they take one of the children's fathers hostage. The kids, in full army gear, set out for a rescue mission. As they learn more about each other they form a bond of brotherhood and friendship called ...THE RACK PACK. |
DIRECTOR: Thomas J. Churchill
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DAYLIGHT
Country: SOUTH AFRICA
Runtime 00:07:42
SYNOPSIS:
Based on true events. When a six-year-old boy is forced to face the dark realities of South Africa, he opens our eyes to see darkness in a different light.
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DIRECTOR: Liesl Ahlers
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RTF 2018 OFFICIAL SELECTIONS
O+O
Country: Croatia
Runtime 6:53
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DIRECTOR: Maja Karolj
In a small town of Kutina in Croatia strange things start to happen. An unusual ball that tracks pupil Marta appears. And somehow, at the same time, a boy, Luka, disappears. Unusual events spark the attention of all the media in the country. Marta and Luka fancy each other at school. Martha is very concerned about Luke's disappearance and at the same time is trying to make contact and figure out the appearance of the mysterious ball. The ball leads Marta to Luka who is hiding at a school janitor and practicing maths with him because he got an F. The second ball, a blue one, appears here. The balls in the film represent an abstract element of the film. |
VICTOR
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Directed by Chibuzo Mobis (Nigeria)
Runtime 15:00
SYNOPSIS
Victor must face his nightmare with one leg after being involved in a ghastly motor accident
OUT OF SIGHT
NIGERIA
Runtime: 14:03
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Director: Iyke Okechukwu
SYNOPSIS
a depressed vlogger, dealing with her parents divorce, pays her best friend a visit there she stumbles on an event that will change the course of her life |
FREAK THE F**K OUT
NIGERIA
Runtime : 19:46
SYNOPSIS:
Freak The Fxxk Out is an anthology of short creepy animated stories.
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Director: KANSON OGBOLU
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GIRL FACT
BELGIUM
Runtime 17:00
SYNOPSIS
In the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo, rape is used as a “weapon of war” for more than 15 years. Martha writes a teenage girl’s guide to surviving sex.
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DIRECTOR: Maël G. Lagadec
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HIDE AND SEEK
HUNGARY
Runtime 14:11
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DIRECTOR: Beno Gabor Baranyi
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SYNOPSIS
The story takes place in a poor family in Hungary.
The main caracter is a 7 years old boy, called Matyi. He loves to play hide and seek, but he
knows no bounds. He constantly hiding somewhere annoying his parents and he doesn't
come out even when the whole family is looking for him.
As he became the fifth child in the family, his mother hadn't intented to keep him just another
pain in the ass for her mom. However, the father is very fond of the boy and only he has
patience for him. One day his father disappeared and his mother was left alone with his undisciplined child.
We made the shortfilm on original poor areas with amateur actors.
Based on a true story.
The main caracter is a 7 years old boy, called Matyi. He loves to play hide and seek, but he
knows no bounds. He constantly hiding somewhere annoying his parents and he doesn't
come out even when the whole family is looking for him.
As he became the fifth child in the family, his mother hadn't intented to keep him just another
pain in the ass for her mom. However, the father is very fond of the boy and only he has
patience for him. One day his father disappeared and his mother was left alone with his undisciplined child.
We made the shortfilm on original poor areas with amateur actors.
Based on a true story.
THE MISSING
NIGERIA
Runtime - 01:12:28
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Director: Seyi Babatope
SYNOPSIS:
A Mysterious woman emerges as a suspect to a string disappearances. The detective on the case can't find any evidence leading to her. She is the key to solving the cases.
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MILLION LOVES IN ME
CHINA / MALAYSIA
Runtime - 01:49:24
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Director: Sampson YUEN
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SYNOPSIS
Inspired by a true story and a headline case in Hong Kong, MILLION LOVES IN ME follows the story of a wealthy mother and daughter who suffer from the psychological issues of obsessive- compulsive disorders, and their controversial private lives are exposed to the public through a charge of their animal hoarding behavior by the police. The topic of animal hoarding, to our knowledge, has not been shot into a movie in cinematic history.
The story begins when Katy, the 45-year old daughter, is charged with animal cruelty after the police discovers more than a hundred dogs and cats being hoarded at her apartment. Following her trial at the court, the abnormal lives of Katy and her mother are unveiled. Behind their weird appearances, the mother and daughter live an extremely well-off life, with an uncontrollable urge to shop excessively for clothes, handbags and pets. They are despised and disliked by people wherever they go. Their unusual behavior arouses the attention of their neighborhood reporter who starts to investigate into their lives. After he finds out about the animal hoarding situation at their apartment, he discloses the matter to the public for the sake of justice. However, after seeing Katy being caught by the police and devastated by the intense public criticism, he begins to doubt the morality of his own actions...
The film examines the common mental disorders that affect people from all ages across the world, while sometimes the sufferers may not even notice about the illnesses. In the story, both Katy and her mother are victims of these obsessive-compulsive disorders. Katy's mother has developed an obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) after being abandoned by her husband and son. Consequently, she has an obsessive need for control over her daughter's life. On the other hand, Katy has been living in an invisible cage set up by her dominant mother since childhood, without enjoying any normal school or social life. Being physically and emotionally abused by her mother, she has developed symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in her early age. At the age of 45, the poor woman only has the intellect of a 15 year-old child, and her gullible character makes her easily fall for men who cheat her out of money. Although her life is miserable under her mother's domination, Katy is indeed unable to live an independent life as a normal person. Likewise, in order to cope with her compulsion to control, her mother is unable to detach herself from her daughter. The two inseparable women seek relief from their respective disorders through excessive shopping, ending up in the hoarding of pets at their home. The pets are almost the only object in which Katy can find her comfort and trust. She treats them as her best friends, but on the contrary everyone blames her for being cruel to them.
The story begins when Katy, the 45-year old daughter, is charged with animal cruelty after the police discovers more than a hundred dogs and cats being hoarded at her apartment. Following her trial at the court, the abnormal lives of Katy and her mother are unveiled. Behind their weird appearances, the mother and daughter live an extremely well-off life, with an uncontrollable urge to shop excessively for clothes, handbags and pets. They are despised and disliked by people wherever they go. Their unusual behavior arouses the attention of their neighborhood reporter who starts to investigate into their lives. After he finds out about the animal hoarding situation at their apartment, he discloses the matter to the public for the sake of justice. However, after seeing Katy being caught by the police and devastated by the intense public criticism, he begins to doubt the morality of his own actions...
The film examines the common mental disorders that affect people from all ages across the world, while sometimes the sufferers may not even notice about the illnesses. In the story, both Katy and her mother are victims of these obsessive-compulsive disorders. Katy's mother has developed an obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) after being abandoned by her husband and son. Consequently, she has an obsessive need for control over her daughter's life. On the other hand, Katy has been living in an invisible cage set up by her dominant mother since childhood, without enjoying any normal school or social life. Being physically and emotionally abused by her mother, she has developed symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in her early age. At the age of 45, the poor woman only has the intellect of a 15 year-old child, and her gullible character makes her easily fall for men who cheat her out of money. Although her life is miserable under her mother's domination, Katy is indeed unable to live an independent life as a normal person. Likewise, in order to cope with her compulsion to control, her mother is unable to detach herself from her daughter. The two inseparable women seek relief from their respective disorders through excessive shopping, ending up in the hoarding of pets at their home. The pets are almost the only object in which Katy can find her comfort and trust. She treats them as her best friends, but on the contrary everyone blames her for being cruel to them.
FROM THE EDGE OF SANITY
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Runtime - 26:35
DIRECTOR - MILANA MAJAR
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SYNOPSIS
The documentary "From the Edge of Sanity" is interwoven with the destiny of a Christian family from Syria. At the peak of the war two sons and a daughter of Younes Ayoub and Helen Alashehab leave the war-torn fatherland. Fear of terrorists and a desire to preserve the family together forced the 65-year-old Helen to go after their children. The family sold most of the property to pay smugglers to take them to Europe.The hero of the film, seventy years old Younes Ayoub, remains in Damascus...
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TAKING UP SPACE
UK / ZAMBIA
Runtime - 2:01
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Director: EMILY MULENGA
SYNOPSIS:
A hyper-saturated short detailing the Godzilla-like growth of an animated Emily and her subsequent rampaging of the city.
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DEMON INSIDE
NIGERIA
RUNTIME: 01:20:00
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SYNOPSIS: Raped and scarred by her gynecologist, Dr. Kyle. Evi seeks Justice and vengeance on this rapist on prowl that may go Scot free like other abusers. But with Kyle's license revoked and sent to prison, all is still not fair until the DEMON INSIDE surfaces |
WE ARE FINE
NIGERIA
Runtime - 11:30
Director: Luke 'Aire' Oyovbaire
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SYNOPSIS We Are Fine trails the events that follow Raymond who is torn between the memory of his missing lover and the possibility that He might be living with an intruder in his house |
THE POSTMAN
SINGAPORE
Runtime - 15:00
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Director: FRANCIA LAU
SYNOPSIS:
A rogue cop must disengage himself from drug trafficking or lose his marriage forever. |
THIRST
NIGERIA
RUNTIME: 00:02:08
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DIRECTOR: EGUVWE YUGBOVWRE
SYNOPSIS:
More than 2,200 children under age 5 die everyday as a result of diarrheal diseases. "Thirst" is a micro-film about a young girl who needed to drink water and defecate but the only access to clean water is in a dangerous location. |
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VIEW THE FILM SCHEDULE FOR #RTF2018 BELOW
