Carried Away, 18:00
In their sincere search for meaning that gradually slides into chaos, the films of the Carried Away program boldly question the ideas of freedom, identity and dreams. In the Estonian animated film Swifts by Ada Napiórkowski, the swifts return to their haunted world, only to discover that their human neighbors have disappeared. In the British documentary Waiter, the Scientist and Jenny by Joe Snelling, we follow Marco Esposito, a once promising scientist who now lives as a waiter, facing the challenges of his own mind.
Finally, the experimental film Antitutoriel by Canadian director Léonie Savard takes us on a surreal journey of self-exploration through Gille’s world, where she encounters various masks and her own reflection. Together, these films dive into the complex, intimate, but also provocative spheres of human emotions, inviting us to think about the multiplicity of identities and embrace the dreams that shape our existence.
Swifts
Ada Napiórkowski, animation, 5’, Estonia, 2024
Like every year, the swifts are returning to their homes in the “sleeping districts.” But this year the humans are gone, leaving nothing but spirits.
Producer: Estonian Academy of Arts
Distribution: Estonian Academy of Arts
The Waiter, the Scientist and Jenny
Joe Snelling, documentary, 32’, United Kingdom, 2024
Once an exceptionally promising scientist, Marc Esposito now works as a waiter in Hastings, where he attempts to live an unusually free and unencumbered life, whilst simultaneously battling a severe mental health condition.
Producer: National Film and Television School (NFTS)
Distribution: National Film and Television School (NFTS)
Antitutoriel
Léonie Savard, experimental fiction, 4’, Canada, 2023
Facing herself, Gille enters the absurd world of her curiosity.
Production: Cegep de Saint-Félicien
Distribution: Cegep de Saint-Félicien
Intermezzo, 19:35
How do we fill the time of waiting, and what truly happens when nothing significant seems to occur? Intermezzo explores the special moments of connection and introspection that sneak in seamlessly in that time in between. Jonathan Brunner’s German documentary Waiting, Not Waiting provides a contemplative look at the lives of five people, revealing how waiting can be a space for reflection and a moment of presence.
In the French feature film Hot by Franck Hourliac, an unplanned meeting between two young men, which begins as a casual chat on Grinder, turns into an unusually intimate evening. Finally, the feature film Strangers in the Night by Austrian director Matthias Krepp intertwines three stories on New Year’s Eve 2019, exploring the complexities of human relationships in a world on the brink of change.
Waiting, Not Waiting
Jonathan Brunner, documentary, 17’, Germany, 2023
A dancing museum guard, resting Ukrainian truck drivers and a woman dying. All waiting in their own way, but dealing with it is full of life.
Producer: Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg GmbH
Distribution: Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg GmbH
Hot
Franck Hourliac, fiction, 15’, France, 2023
Adams talks to HOT on Grindr. “Wanna blowjob?”, “Room 201, 5th floor”. But once there, the two boys are clumsy and shy. HOT is actually called Milo and he is a hairdresser. The two boys are opening up to each other in an unexpected way.
Producer: ENSAV (Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Audiovisuel)
Distribution: ENSAV (Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Audiovisuel)
Strangers in the Night
Matthias Krepp, fiction, 50’, Austria, 2024
One night, one city, three stories. It‘s New Year‘s Eve 2019/20. A year that will bring an unforeseeable historical turning point is looming ahead. Strangers in the Night follows six characters as they struggle to find solace and meaning in a world of change.
Production: Film Academy Vienna
Distribution: Film Academy Vienna
