Cultural Backgrounds series is an original idea for the screening of films that describe specific cultural climate and social phenomena characteristic for a certain part of the world, regardless of whether the director used a form of documentary, feature or animation. The films in Cultural Backgrounds are a peculiar reaction to those phenomena in cinema, allowing us to look at the matters of people from other cultural circles through their own eyes, and not through the perspective of the Western culture.

screening curator: Andrzej Rusin

Honeycomb, dir. Haider Hussain (Netherlands) 2023, 14’, 15+

Twenty-year-old Mariyam is trying to reconcile traditional Muslim values with being the singer of a heavy metal band. Her situation becomes even more complicated as she suspects she has become pregnant.

Film presented at e.g. IFFK Go Short. Polish premiere.

Last Days of Summer, dir. Stenzin Tankong (India, France) 2022, 15’, 15+

A recurring mysterious sound from mountains in the Himalaya is heard only by two curious young shepherds. Unable to convince the villagers of the scary nature of such sound, they journey into the unknown to unravel the mystery. Film presented at e.g. RIFF and KFF.

Kaminhu, dir. Marie Vieillevie (France) 2024, 15’, 16+

Joanna, a young European traveller, roams around the Cape Verde Islands along with her sketchbook. On her way she encounters Lito, a local fisherman who will spur her to delay her departure from the village of Esperança.

Back Home, dir. Nasser Bessalah (France, Algeria) 2023, 25’, 15+

In a mountain village, Nouria meets Abdel, a French young man who lives and works in Algeria for months. After Abdel loses a bet against Nouria, they both ride their moped along the Mediterranean coast, expecting to get on the boat that will take them back to France.

Film awarded at e.g. Clermont-Ferrand ISFF. Polish premiere.

Torn, dir. Jahfar Muataz (Dania) 2023, 28’, 16+

Fourteen-year-old Malik fled to Sweden from Iraq with his family. The boy does not feel good as an immigrant. He is bullied by his peers and misunderstood by the school principal. After Saddam Hussein is captured by the American military, the family decides to return to Iraq. Malik hopes that he will finally feel at home.

Film presented at the Odense IFF. Polish premiere.