28th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival
experiment
![Dust is a whale, is sunlight](/media/thumbs/films/thumb_380x195_925541-1375841.jpeg?v=)
Mark Bosselaers is a marine paleontologist for whom the skeletal fragments of whales are nearly his whole life. In this minimalist portrait, we learn about his sometimes almost detective-like work and his distinctive theories. Everything is connected in Mark's vision – the sunlight, the whales and the dust we eventually turn into.“Ideally, I would love to spend all day working on whale fossils, but of course I also have to do the occasional chores around the house for my wife.” — Mark BosselaersSource: KZGW
Dust is a whale, is sunlight
María Casas Castillo
Portugal, Hungary, Belgium / 2023 / 20 min.
section: First Lights, Ji.hlava Online
World Premiere
![I WAS THERE](/media/thumbs/films/thumb_380x195_892656-1357778.jpeg?v=)
The unique testimony of a physician who, thanks to a series of coincidences, survived the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, brings to life the horror of such an act of mass destruction, even after more than 70 years. The mechanics of the forces that could no longer be stopped once they were set in motion are revealed in a cinematic essay that deconstructs petrified historical interpretation. “The poignant and thought-provoking evidence of the secret war tactics reveals the human value during times of war in conflicts.” Source: Chi Jang Yin's website
I WAS THERE
Chi Jang Yin
Japan, United States / 2023 / 14 min.
section: Ji.hlava Online, Short Joy
World Premiere
![If I Ever Lose My Eyes](/media/thumbs/films/thumb_380x195_893052-1374992.png?v=)
When we close our eyes, the world around us disappears, but a new world appears within us. Visual artist Lea Petříková follows in the footsteps of people searching for this invisible world. As a gateway to augmented reality, she uses mysterious places instead of psychadelics. A mountain where the devil resides, a stone with the footprint of Christ, a UFO landing ramp or a crypt with ancient inscriptions are shortcuts to abstract, imaginary or spiritual worlds. The medium of film is such a gateway, like the Shroud of Turin painted with light and shadow, representing a magical imprint of something greater.“The film could be something like the Shroud of Turin, by imprinting something bigger. It's not just about capturing, but capturing something that transcends us, and making it so that we can experience that transference as well.” — Ladislav ValešThe second projection will have English subtitles.
If I Ever Lose My Eyes
Lea Petříková
Czech Republic / 2023 / 62 min.
section: Czech Joy, Ji.hlava Online
World Premiere
![Microscopic Love](/media/thumbs/films/thumb_380x195_921582-1370357.jpeg?v=)
A stormy summer night. Lightning strikes the water. A chain reaction begins. Director Emilien Dubuc uses vivid imagery, evocative sound effects and microscopic shots of biochemical experiments to explain in detail how life on Earth is created. But his narrative gradually becomes less scientific and more personal.
Microscopic Love
Emilien Dubuc
Belgium / 2023 / 12 min.
section: Ji.hlava Online, Short Joy
World Premiere
![Non Duality](/media/thumbs/films/thumb_380x195_940963-1377901.jpeg?v=)
This associative collage of images reflects on our inherent need to think of ourselves as autonomous individuals and to define ourselves in relation to external reality. Fragments from the educational films of the Łódź Film Studio are accompanied by an interview with British psychologist and therapist Halina Pytlasinska, who works with the concept of the collective unconscious. “The attitude of man is twofold, in accordance with the twofold nature of the primary words which he speaks.” — Martin Buber
Non Duality
Tomasz Węgorzewski
Poland / 2023 / 25 min.
section: First Lights, Ji.hlava Online
Czech Premiere
![Normal Love](/media/thumbs/films/thumb_380x195_921173-1358536.jpeg?v=)
Mike and Jeanne live together, spend their free time together, have sex – just about everything partners usually do. Except that at the beginning of their relationship, instead of mutual affection followed by gradual bonding, there is a legal contract. As contractual obligations, it lists some of the duties and rights that usually accompany the cohabitation of two people. The social experiment they both entered into with different expectations is the main theme of the film, which looks at the conflicting nature of emotions and reason in the web of interpersonal relationships. And it tries to answer the question: Is it possible to plan love just like a project with a set goal? “By behaving like a part of an ordinary couple's life, Jeanne tries to fit into a heteronormative world in order to show its absurdity.” Source: Leon Blog
Normal Love
Yannick Mosimann
Switzerland / 2023 / 92 min.
section: Ji.hlava Online, Opus Bonum
International Premiere
![Notes from Eremocene](/media/thumbs/films/thumb_380x195_878329-1368615.jpeg?v=)
The term eremocene describes a sense of loneliness in a time of environmental crisis and technological development and raises questions about the future fate of humanity. The film is a cross between science fiction and a philosophical essay and develops the idea of an earth shaped by artificial intelligence, digital data and blockchain, in which human organic matter no longer has a place. In this dystopian vision of the future, an inhuman being searches for its ancient roots and finds them in the figure of the film's author. The dialogue between the virtual voices and the authentic creator is complemented by analogue footage of everyday life in society before the world was taken over by inhuman actors and streams of data.“Eremocene is an epoch marked by an existential and material isolation resulting from having extinguished so many other forms of life.” — E. O. WilsonQuote from The Bitter Southerner.
Notes from Eremocene
Viera Čákanyová
Czech Republic, Slovakia / 2023 / 78 min.
section: Czech Joy, Ji.hlava Online
Czech Premiere
![Reversible](/media/thumbs/films/thumb_380x195_886254-1383530.jpeg?v=)
A Frankenstein-esque portrait of a scientist who develops materials for the construction of robots with sensitive and flexible parts while losing control of her own consciousness. As a result of stress overload, she is unable, at least temporarily, to do what her products can already do – rely on her memory. “I started directing films when I was in my 2nd year of college. I came into it spontaneously and I’ve learned to love the art so much that sometimes I even direct my dreams.” — Inshallah Montero Source: GMA News
Reversible
Inshallah Montero
Hungary, Portugal, Belgium / 2022 / 13 min.
section: First Lights, Ji.hlava Online
World Premiere
![We Used to Have a Garden](/media/thumbs/films/thumb_380x195_950553-1385411.jpeg?v=)
In this meditative and playful time-lapse documentary, the author observes a gardener and a garden gnome searching for a lost garden in a concrete backyard.
We Used to Have a Garden
Hana Slaninová
Czech Republic / 2023 / 8 min.
section: FAMU Presents, Ji.hlava Online
World Premiere