Block 6. In a New Place

"Estonian Man", dir. Tushar Prakash, Anna Hints, Estonia 2024, 25 min.

Tushar came from India to Estonia to live with his beloved one. He gave up the warmth and sunshine of his country, choosing the cool part of Europe for his new home. Now, he embarks on a journey to his partner's relatives living in the province of Võrumaa, to learn what it means to be a true Estonian. In humorous tales of acquiring new customs, there is also room for serious reflection on identity and longing for one's homeland. The directorial duo of this personal story is Anna Hints, well-known to festival audiences for the film "Smoke Sauna Sisterhood,” and her partner – Tushar Prakash.

"Do You Get Me?", dir. Otto Lazić-Reuschel, Italy 2023, 31 min.

As a child, Moha travelled from Morocco to Europe. Today, eight years later, he lives in a small Spanish city thanks to the help of his friends and the support of social services. Trapped between his childhood dreams and his disillusionment as a young adult, he clings to what he can. As an ”illegal” citizen, he lives every day with uncertainty.

"Behind the Mask", dir. Håvard Bustnes, Norway 2023, 30 min.

After enduring torture at an internment camp for Uyghurs in China, Abduweli and his family seek refuge in Bergen, Norway. This documentary follows Abduweli’s journey to Germany, where he intends to confront a former internment camp prison guard. However, just before his departure, his daughter experiences a panic attack. Now faced with a profound dilemma, Abduweli must decide whether its best for his family to continue his mission of shedding light on the Uyghur genocide or to leave the past behind to avoid bringing up traumatic memories for himself and his family.

"Smoke of the Fire", dir. Daryna Mamaisur, Portugal, Ukraine, Belgium, Hungary 2023, 22 min.

There is Portugal, there is the Portuguese language and there is a Ukrainian filmmaker who learns the language and approaches the role of the potential migrant. There is also a play of words: zangar and o zangāo. How is it possible to express such an empowering emotion as anger in the fragile attempts of a beginner? The video essay is woven from the filmmaker’s narration, language classes, personal videos and archival images from Kyiv – revealing the split reality of anyone who is finding a safe place abroad while longing for home, which is under the constant danger of war.