The Mezipatra festival starts in just a few days, and as always, the selection is vibrantly diverse. Still unsure which film to see? Let the most knowledgeable members — Vadim Kuskov, Matúš Slamka, Terezie Vítková, and Josef Klimeš the program coordinators of Mezipatra — help you out.
Matúš Slamka recommends: a Nepalese detective story and the struggles of a split life.
Pooja, Sir / Nepal, United States, Norway / 2024 / 118 min
It's not every day we get to see a Nepalese film at the cinema. And it's even rarer for it to be queer and make it into the Mezipatra main competition. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to dive into a meditative detective story led by Inspector Pooja. The film offers us a glimpse into Nepalese culture and the social and political unrest affecting the country. Perfect for audiences who appreciate something extra.
Sebastian / United Kingdom / 2024 / 110 min
A film that can be enjoyed in multiple ways. If you turn off your mind, you'll get a well-shot drama with an attractive cast and a gripping plot. But if you love analyzing films down to the smallest detail and revel in interpreting them, you’ll enjoy Sebastian even more. So, what do you think—how much of Max’s life is reality, and how much is pure fiction? The film is traveling from festival to festival, winning audiences' hearts at lightning speed. Will it steal yours too?
Vadim Kuskov doporučuje: maďarská lovestory s hudebními prvky
Narrow Path to Happiness / Keskeny út a boldogság felé / Hungary, United States / 2023 / 83 min
Sometimes, I find myself watching a documentary and wondering if it’s actually a scripted film, because things like this just can’t happen in real life. A gay couple from a poor region wants to make a musical inspired by their love—and in Hungary, no less?! Real life can sometimes be stranger than fiction, and this film is full of odd yet endearing surprises. Get ready for an authentic story about two young people who truly care for each other and stubbornly pursue their dream, even if it seems a bit absurd. And of course, you’ll hear a few heart-wrenching songs—because it wouldn’t be complete without them.
Terezie Vítková recommends: curious adolescence and a captivating documentary portrait
Vera and the Pleasure of Others / Vera y el placer de los otros / Argentina / 2023 / 103 min
The coming-of-age genre has recently been flooding VOD services. However, few films or series manage to convey the excitement of exploring the adult world quite like Vera and the Pleasure of Others. Playful, charmingly curious, and incredibly fresh, this portrayal of adolescence will ignite a desire in you to explore and discover.
I'm not Everything I Want to Be / Ještě nejsem, kým chci být / Czech Republic / 2024 / 90 min
If you haven't yet heard of Libuše Jarcovjáková, get ready for a real surprise. This adventurous photographer, driven by an inner longing for discovery, will make you question even your own name. Forget the biographical documentaries as you know them and prepare to be captivated by the raw authenticity of the "Czech Nan Goldin" in Klára Tasovská's film. After the screening on Monday, November 11th, don’t miss the launch of the book T-Club, where the author herself will present striking photographs from the iconic underground club of the 1980s normalization era.
Josef Klimeš recommends: sci-fi for adults and the iconic Peaches
Ztracený / Iti mapukpukaw / Filipíny / 2023 / 90 min
I can't be the only one who gets excited at the phrase "animated sci-fi for adults from the Philippines," right? What thrilled me most after watching, however, was how adeptly the film uses traditional genre elements to enhance the psychological drama that The Missing fundamentally is. And let me assure you, it’s an exceptionally good psychological drama.
Teaches of Peaches / Peaches má v píči / Germany/ 2024 / 102 min
Simple, straightforward, and incredibly effective. That perfectly describes the documentary Teaches of Peaches, which fits the music and persona of the musician like a glove. High-quality documentaries don’t need to be formally unconventional when they are well-made and feature a charismatic person in front of the camera, and Peaches is undoubtedly one of them.
