Linz Film Festival: Focus on Ukraine
Crossing Europe Film Festival Wraps, Highlights Ukrainian Stories
Linz, Austria, known for the Ars Electronica festival and the Bruckner
Festival, recently hosted the Crossing Europe film festival.The festival,
which concluded Sunday after six days, showcased 142 films from 42
countries under the theme “Don’t give up on Europe.”
The festival, an often-overlooked gem compared to Vienna’s Viennale and
Graz’s Diagonale, has presented a selection of European auteur films since
2004. This year’s program heavily featured the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Films Reflect on War in Ukraine
Several films focused on the Russian war in Ukraine. The opening film, “My
Dear Théo,” a video diary by filmmaker Alissa Kowalenko, documented her
experience volunteering for national defense. The film depicts the drastic
changes brought about by the war through training footage, front-line
impressions, and video calls with family.
“Pod Wulkanem” (“Under the Volcano”),a Polish feature film,presented a
different perspective,resembling a documentary in its approach. It follows
a family from Kyiv who learn of the Russian invasion while on vacation.
Their return flights are canceled, and they are left to grapple with the
news in their hotel.
“Queens of Joy” and Other Award Winners
The documentary ”Queens of Joy” follows three Ukrainian drag queens who
continue their work, collecting donations for war injuries despite the
ongoing conflict. The film received a special mention from the jury.
Alessandra Celesia’s ”The Flats,” which explores the lasting trauma of the
Northern Ireland conflict, won best documentary. “Anul Nou care na fost”
(“The New Year That Never Came”), a film about private and political
upheavals during the Romanian Revolution of 1989, received the main fiction
prize.
Remembering the Mölln Arson Attack
Another highlight was “The Möllner letters,” a documentary that premiered at
the Berlinale. The film centers on a Turkish family, victims of the 1992
arson attack in Mölln, Germany, who were largely forgotten in official
commemorations. The film explores hundreds of letters of sympathy from
across germany that were discovered after decades in storage.
Director Martina Priessner discussed the film in Linz, noting that the
perpetrators of the attack dominated headlines at the time, while the
victims were largely ignored. She suggested that similar stories could be
told in other locations affected by right-wing violence.
Swedish Dialog Police Explored
The documentary “Dialogue Polis” examined the work of the Swedish dialogue
police, founded in 2020. The film follows the police as they interact with
climate activists, Iranian politicians, and individuals who provoke with
Koran burnings. The film raises questions about the limits of free speech
and how to avoid further polarization in society.
Audience Engagement and Festival Focus
Crossing Europe is known for its accessibility and audience engagement.
Filmmakers frequently enough participate in discussions with the audience after
screenings. While the festival covers a range of topics, including the
changing world of work, local filmmaking, and architecture, its diversity
and openness are key strengths. The festival provides a cinematic overview
of relevant European issues.
Crossing Europe Film Festival: A Deep Dive
What is the Crossing Europe Film Festival?
The Crossing Europe Film Festival is an annual event held in Linz, Austria. it showcases European auteur films and is known for its focus on audience engagement and accessibility. In 2024 it concluded after six days, featuring 142 films from 42 countries under the theme “Don’t give up on europe.”
When and where is the Crossing Europe Film Festival held?
The festival takes place annually in Linz, Austria.
What is unique about the Crossing Europe Film Festival?
Compared to larger festivals like Vienna’s Viennale and Graz’s Diagonale, Crossing Europe is known for:
Accessibility: The festival focuses on making films accessible to a wide audience.
audience Engagement: Filmmakers frequently enough participate in discussions with the audience after screenings.
Diversity: The festival covers a wide range of topics relevant to European issues, including the changing world of work, local filmmaking, and architecture.
What were the main themes of the 2024 Crossing Europe Film Festival?
The 2024 festival’s theme was ”Don’t give up on Europe.” A notable focus of the program was the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
How did the festival address the war in Ukraine?
Several films explored the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine.
Which films focused on the war in Ukraine?
“My dear Théo”: This film is a video diary by filmmaker Alissa Kowalenko, documenting her experience volunteering for national defense. It shows the drastic changes brought about by the war through training footage, front-line impressions, and video calls with family.
“Pod Wulkanem” (“Under the Volcano”): A Polish feature film depicting a family from Kyiv who learn of the Russian invasion while on vacation. Their return flights are canceled,and the film explores their experience dealing with the news.
“Queens of Joy”: This documentary follows three Ukrainian drag queens who continue their work and collect donations despite the ongoing conflict.
What awards were presented at the festival?
Here are some of the award-winning films:
“Queens of Joy”: Received a special mention from the jury.
“The Flats”: Won the best documentary award. This film explores the lasting trauma of the Northern Ireland conflict.
“Anul Nou care n-a fost” (“The New Year That Never Came”): Received the main fiction prize. This film is about private and political upheavals during the Romanian Revolution of 1989.
What other notable films were screened?
“The Möllner letters”: A documentary that premiered at the Berlinale, focusing on a Turkish family who were victims of the 1992 arson attack in Mölln, germany.The film explores the hundreds of letters of sympathy from Germany that were discovered decades later.
“Dialog Polis”: A documentary examining the work of the Swedish dialogue police, founded in 2020. the film follows the police as they interact with climate activists, Iranian politicians, and individuals who provoke with Koran burnings.
What does “The Möllner letters” tell us?
The documentary “The Möllner letters” revisits the 1992 arson attack in Mölln, Germany, which targeted and killed members of a Turkish family. It highlights the victims, who were largely forgotten in official commemorations. It also examines the hundreds of letters of sympathy sent from across Germany that were discovered years later. This film provides insights into the human impact of right-wing violence and the importance of remembering such events.
What is the focus of “dialogue Polis”?
The documentary “Dialogue Polis” focuses on the work of the Swedish dialogue police, established in 2020. The film examines their interactions with various groups, including climate activists, Iranian politicians, and individuals involved in provocative acts like Koran burnings. This documentary raises questions about the limits of free speech and the challenges of avoiding further societal polarization.
How does the Crossing Europe Film Festival engage with its audience?
The festival is known for its accessibility and strong audience engagement. Filmmakers frequently participate in discussions with the audience after screenings, fostering a direct interaction and promoting dialogue about the films and their themes.
What kind of issues does the Crossing Europe Film Festival address?
The festival covers a range of topics including:
The changing world of work
Local filmmaking
Architecture
* Relevant European issues as a whole
Summary of Key Films and Awards:
| Film Title | Category | Summary |
| :—————————- | :——————— | :——————————————————————————————————— |
| My Dear Théo | Documentary | Video diary of a filmmaker volunteering for national defense in Ukraine. |
| Pod Wulkanem (Under the Volcano) | Feature Film (polish) | Follows a family from Kyiv dealing with the Russian invasion while on vacation. |
| Queens of Joy | Documentary | Features Ukrainian drag queens collecting donations despite the ongoing conflict. |
| the Flats | Documentary | Explores the lasting trauma of the Northern Ireland conflict. |
| Anul Nou care n-a fost (The New Year That Never Came) | Fiction | Portrays private and political upheavals during the Romanian Revolution of 1989. |
| The Möllner letters | Documentary | Focuses on the victims of the 1992 Mölln arson attack and the letters of sympathy they received. |
| Dialogue Polis | Documentary | Examines the work of the Swedish dialogue police and their interactions with various groups. |