These films today delve deep into the inner nature of a person, where memories, desires, fears and truths are hidden. Understanding them may be as difficult as suppressing them. Monday at PÖFF is like a fresh breath of new air after an intoxicating weekend. It’s the day when cinemas lead you on a quiet journey of understanding who we are and who we think we are.
During the first half of the day, nostalgia, intimate relationships and the fragility of identity intertwine. Lo-Fi invites you on a poetic journey through the world of memories, searching for the answer to how to let go of the life stage that has been comforting you thus far. At the same time, Canadian comedy Follies exposes the fields in a relationship that are between reality and fantasy, where only the bravest, who challenge their limits, get to.
Matti Nykänen - The Legend breaks apart the facade of the myth of the national hero, bringing forth the person behind the facade. Duality takes the viewer on a poetic journey to the streets of Tehran, where love, loss, and the chance to start again wander around together.
In the second half of the evening, the air is thick with tension in cinemas. This Is Not Happening takes a look at the darker side of fatherly love in a situation where the truth is unbearable. Turn Up the Sun showcases the labyrinth of the creative process, where inspiration and madness walk side by side. Veins ends the day, a body horror and grief mystery that asks how far a person can go to not lose those that they love.
Look at all of the films premiering on Monday at PÖFF here!
17th of November, Monday at 17.30 at Apollo Kino Plaza
The world premiere with filmmakers
Dir: A. Durbaş (Turkey)
Lo-Fi is a visually enchanting story of Emre, who moves out and intertwines the bitter memories of goodbyes in his relationship with his former happiness. Alican Durbaşi uses a light show with no digital effects to reflect the main character’s inner world and his wandering between dreams, reality and memories. It results in an intimate and poetic journey.
17th of November, Monday at 18.00 at Sõprus cinema
Dir: E. K. Boulianne (Canada)
Follies follows a married couple, François and Julie, who are trying to spice up their relationship after living together for 16 years by stepping clumsily into the exciting world of polyamory. Experiments with open relationships interweave with everyday life, raising children and emerging jealousy. The thrilling comedy that premiered at Locarno looks at the different sides of love and discovering oneself sexually.
17th of November, Monday at 18.00 at Apollo Kino Solaris
Dir: O. Laine (Finland)
This documentary about Matti Nykänen shows the life of the ski jumper through the eyes of his closest people, mother, sister and daughter. Telling a story that at the same time is warm and tragic about the multiple Olympic winner and people’s idol. The film follows Nykänen’s journey from childhood to the final moments of his life, bringing forth his athletic highlights as well as the scandals that shadowed his personal life.
17th of November, Monday at 18.45 at Apollo Kino Plaza
The world premiere with filmmakers
Dir: A. Nezamdoost (Iran)
Duality interweaves the lives of three people living in Theran into a poetic reflection about love, longing, and moments of losing oneself. The pictorial language, playing around with colourful and monochromatic images, brings Iranian cinema into a new visual level, creating a pensive and lyrical world where the ever-changing time exposes the fragile sides of love and loss.
17th of November, Monday at 20.45 at Apollo Kino Plaza
The international premiere with filmmakers.
Dir: Artur Wyrzykowski (Poland)
This Is Not Happening follows a father whose world falls apart when he discovers that his son has committed homicide, which throws them both into an escape plan. Bartek navigates between guilt, fear and illusions while trying to protect his child, but has to face the truth that will shake his understanding of fatherhood and himself. It results in a powerful psychological thriller.
17th of November, Monday at 21.15 at Apollo Kino Solaris
Dir: J. Adamas (The United Kingdom)
Turn Up the Sun is a stylish and clever look into the labyrinth of the creative process. Artists looking for inspiration, lovers wanting attention, mysterious muses and elation seeking create a perfect stage for an exciting exposure. But what does it take for an artist's passion to spark once again? Jamie Adams’ thriller follows a mysterious group in the middle of chaos and fun.
17th of November, Monday at 21.30 at Apollo Kino Plaza
The world premiere with filmmakers
Dir: R. St-Jean (Canada)
Veins follows Isabelle, who returns to her childhood home and discovers that her father has mysteriously died and has already been buried, but her family is keeping something hidden from her. When a travelling doctor, Hubert, comes to the city, unexplainable changes start happening in Isabelle’s mother, hinting at the presence of something otherworldly and dangerous.