Focus: Borders is a competition dedicated to medium and feature-length fiction, animated, and hybrid films distinguished by a strong authorial voice and a search for original ways of telling stories about the contemporary world. The diversity of approaches to long-form cinema presented in the selected works proves that film still has much to offer. This year’s competition features 8 titles.
Sunday, dir. Shokir Kholikov (Uzbekistan) 2023, 97’, 15+
An elderly couple leads a quiet life in a peaceful Uzbek village. They have two sons – one lives nearby, while the other works abroad. One day, their daily calm life is disrupted when their sons begin replacing the old household appliances with new ones. It soon becomes clear that this is part of a larger plan: they intend to demolish the family home and build a modern house in its place, in which the younger son will live after his wedding. For the parents, however, the old house is much more than just a building — it is their entire life, their memories, and their roots. Gradually, a conflict grows between generations, as well as between what has passed and what is yet to come. “Sunday” is a moving story about the clash between tradition and modernity, and the pain that comes with inevitable change.
The film unfolds in a slow, contemplative rhythm, allowing the viewer to immerse themselves in the characters’ everyday lives and listen to the silence that often speaks louder than words. Carefully composed frames, rich in deep colors, capture the melancholic charm of the countryside, where time seems to flow differently. Will the characters be able to hold it still?Film awarded at e.g. Shanghai IFF. Polish premiere.
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