NIŠVILLE MOVIE SUMMIT 2023
FROM 5TH TO 13TH AUGUST
FROM 5TH TO 13TH AUGUST
(Summer Stage in the Fortress)
At one of the largest open-air cinemas in the Balkans, we screen musical films from the entertainment program.
Starting from 8:00 PM.
08.08.
CESÁRIA ÉVORA
Country: Portugal
Director: Ana Sofia Fonseca
Genre: Documentary
World-renowned singer Cesária Évora is featured in this new and intimate documentary. With unseen footage and insights into the singer’s life, the film follows her struggles and successes. The director employs archival footage, concerts, interviews, and imagery to portray a woman who remained true to herself and never relinquished her independence. Scarred by her troubled youth, when asked by a journalist about her greatest dream, she responded, “I don’t believe in dreams, ask me something else!” Cesária Évora (1941—2011) was a singer from Cape Verde. She gained worldwide fame by performing the traditional music of her country. She always performed barefoot, earning her the nickname “barefoot diva” (a diva dos pés descalços). She sang in the Cape Verdean Creole dialect of the Portuguese language.
ANNETTE
Countries: Belgium, France, Germany
Director: Leos Carax
Cast: Adam Driver, Marion Cotillard, Simon Helberg, Devyn McDowell
Genre: Fiction
The comeback musical of the “bad boy” of French cinema follows the story of stand-up comedian Henry (Adam Driver) and his charismatic wife, opera singer Ann (Marion Cotillard), who discover an unusual gift in their two-year-old daughter: besides looking like a puppet, she can sing with an adult’s voice. Henry, who regularly incites the audience’s anger with controversial performances and “politically incorrect” acts reminiscent of the infamous Lenny Bruce, decides to take his daughter Annette on a world tour, treating her like a puppet… The mysterious girl with an extraordinary destiny will change their lives…
09.08.
BÁRBARA
Country: France
Director: Mathieu Amalric
Cast: Jeanne Balibar, Mathieu Amalric, Vincent Peirani, Aurore Clément, Grégoire Colin
Genre: Fiction
Unfortunately, Barbara, a somewhat lesser-known icon and legend of French chanson, who passed away two decades ago, has recently become the subject of both theatrical and cinematic tributes. Amalric’s film is not a typical biopic but rather a poetic portrayal of the great poetess of the French language and chanson. Created with atmosphere, style, and finesse, starring the brilliant Jeanne Balibar, this film celebrates the unique personality, class, style, and presence of this chanteuse. It will undoubtedly be a true delight for the Nišville Movie Summit audience.
The film has been honored with numerous prestigious festival awards, including Best Poetic Film in the “Un Certain Regard” section at Cannes, the “Louise Delluc” Award for Best Film, the “Jean Vigo” Award, the “César” for Best Actress and Best Sound, the “Lumière” for Best Cinematography, and Best Director in Sevilla, among others.
FOR LUCIO
Country: Italy
Director: Pietro Marcello
Featuring: Umberto (Tobia) Righi and Stefano Bonaga
Genre: Documentary-Fiction
This is a tribute and archive footage piece about an artist whose songs, in the mid-20th century, directly reflect the development of Italy. They speak of an era of rapid post-war social and cultural changes. Thanks to the testimony of Lucio’s manager and friend Tobia Righi (Tobi Righi), and the efficient and original use of archival material, Pietro Marcello brings Lucio Dalla back to life, making him a “spotlight through which to shed new light on the country that emerged from the ruins of World War II; a country that broke with traditional culture and embraced the future, embracing consumerism and mass culture.” On the other hand, the film shows how Lucio Dalla transposed the poetry of Roberto Roversi, which gave birth to some of Dalla’s most beautiful songs…
(at King Milan Square, in the city center)
Starting from 8:30 PM.
5.8.
RHEINGOLD (GOLD OF THE RHINE)
Countries: Germany, Italy, Netherlands
Director: Fatih Akin
Cast: Emilio Sakraya, Mona Pirzad, Julia Goldberg, Sogol Faghani, Karim Günes, Doğa Güre
Givar Hadžabi Ksatar (Giwar Hajabi, renowned as Xatar), a music star with a criminal past, wrote and published his autobiography titled “All or Nothing” in 2015. During one of his annual breaks, the iconic German-Turkish director, screenwriter, and producer Fatih Akin read the autobiography. Akin was already well acquainted with Hadžabi’s story and his rap music. It wasn’t long after that the director and rapper connected through Instagram, and it was only a matter of time before Ksatar’s life story found its way onto the big screen.
ANNETTE
Countries: Belgium, France, Germany
Director: Leos Carax
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Adam Driver, Simon Helberg, Devyn McDowell, Russell Mael
The comeback musical of the “bad boy” of French cinema follows the story of stand-up comedian Henry (Adam Driver) and his charismatic wife, opera singer Ann (Marion Cotillard), who discover an unusual gift in their two-year-old daughter: besides looking like a puppet, she can sing with an adult’s voice.
BÁRBARA (BARBARA)
Countries: Belgium, France, Germany
Director: Mathieu Amalric
Cast: Marion Cotillard, Adam Driver, Simon Helberg, Devyn McDowell, Russell Mael
Barbara, a somewhat lesser-known icon and legend of French chanson, who passed away two decades ago, has recently become the subject of both theatrical and cinematic tributes. Amalric’s film is not a typical biopic but rather a poetic portrayal of the great poetess of the French language and chanson.
MATANGI/MAYA/M.I.A.
Countries: United Kingdom, USA, Sri Lanka
Director: Steve Loveridge
This documentary film traces the life of the singer M.I.A., chronicling her experiences during the Sri Lankan civil war, her departure from her homeland, and her rise to both stardom and controversial status. Utilizing archival material captured over the past 22 years (largely shot by Maya herself), the film reveals how she uses music to spread political ideas, even though it results in her being an outsider in the process.
7.8.
CESÁRIA ÉVORA (CESÁRIA ÉVORA)
Country: Portugal Director: Ana Sofia Fonseca
World-renowned singer Cesária Évora in a new and intimate documentary. With unseen footage and insights into the singer’s life, the film follows her struggles and successes. She gained worldwide fame by performing the traditional music of her country. She always performed barefoot, earning her the nickname “barefoot diva” (a diva dos pés descalços). She sang in the Cape Verdean Creole dialect of the Portuguese language.
CASABLANCA BEATS (CASABLANCA BEATS / HAUT ET FORT)
Countries: Morocco, France Director: Nabil Ayouch Featuring: Ismail Adouab, Anas and Abdelilah Basbousi, Samah Barigou
A film by young Moroccan filmmaker Nabil Ayouch, showcased in the competition program of the Cannes Film Festival. It is dedicated to a former rapper who teaches children to express their talent and youthful spirit through hip-hop music and subculture. The teacher and students strive to overcome obstacles on this journey, with the biggest challenge being their conservative families who prohibit girls from singing and dancing due to their supposed adherence to Islamic faith.
Open-Air Cinema in the Heart of the Fortress Park, August 10th – August 11th.
Screenings start at 8:00 PM.
10.8.
CASABLANCA BEATS (CASABLANCA BEATS / HAUT ET FORT)
Countries: Morocco, France Director: Nabil Ayouch
Fiction
CESÁRIA ÉVORA
Countries: Portugal Director: Ana Sofia Fonseca Documentary
11.8.
MATANGI/MAYA/M.I.A
Countries: United Kingdom, USA, Sri Lanka
Director: Steve Loveridge
Documentary
RHEINGOLD (GOLD OF THE RHINE)
Countries: Germany, Italy, Netherlands
Director: Fatih Akin
Fiction
Every year, including this one, Nisville Movie Summit breaks (new) records. The call for entries was open from March 15th to June 15th. A total of 537 films from 78 countries across all five continents were submitted (an all-time absolute record!). As usual, documentaries outnumbered fiction films, but there was no shortage of experimental works. Nisville Movie Summit is gaining increasing attention from filmmakers worldwide through platforms like FilmFreeway, becoming a prestigious global event showcasing music and independent, so-called “indie” films. Out of the 537 submitted films, the selection for awards (Best Fiction, Documentary, and Experimental Film) has been narrowed down to 57! These selected films will be shown as part of the DREAM KRISTINA STAGE, RIVER INDIE, and GARDEN INDIE CINEMA programs!
All other featured films are in contention for the BEST MUSIC PERFORMANCE AWARD in film!
(The Amphitheater on the Nišava Riverside Promenade)
Starting from 8:00 PM.
MUSIC INN, JAZZ ARRIVES IN ROME
Country: Italy Director: Carola De Scipio Duration: 1:55:19
ON CHESIL BEACH
Country: United Kingdom Director: Dominic Cooke Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Emily Watson, Anne-Marie Duff Duration: 110 min.
THE MEMORY OF WATER
Country: Argentina
Director: Gabriel Alberto Piñeiro
Duration: 00:52:37
THE QUEST FOR TONEWOOD
Countries: Norway, Netherlands
Director: Hans Lukas Hansen
Duration: 83 min.
FOR LUCIO
Country: Italy
Director: Pietro Marcello Featuring: Umberto (Tobia) Righi and Stefano Bonaga
Duration: 79 min.
JAZZ 100 RUSSIA
Country: Russia
Director: Alexander Bryntsev
Duration: 1:54:23
CANNABIS SETS YOU FREE
Country: Slovenia
Director: Miha Čelar
Duration: 1:21:17
THE WICK – DISPATCHES FROM THE ISLE OF WONDER
Country: United Kingdom
Directors: John Rowley, Tom Metcalfe
Cast: John Rowley, Tom Metcalfe
Duration: 1:01:00
13.8.
DON JUAN (DON JUAN)
Countries: France, Belgium Director: Serge Bozon Cast: Tahar Rahim, Virginie Efira, Jehnny Beth, Damien Chapelle, Alain Chamfort Duration: 100 min.
POSEIDOTICA TRAVELING TO A NEW DIMENSION
Country: Argentina Director: Sergio Bonacci Lapalma Duration: 78 min.
(courtyard of the Officers’ Club)
Screenings begin at 8:00 PM.
9.8.
THE OASIS OF FROZEN WATERS
Country: Morocco
Director: Mohammed Raouf Sebbahi
Cast: Nisrin Erradi, Ahmed Hammoud, Latifa Ahrrare, Hassane Badida, Zahira Ssadik
Duration: 1:31:00
ABSENCE
Country: Argentina
Director: Gabriel Piñeiro
Cast: Lilian D’ Amico, Luca Cuell
Duration: 1:01:22
10.8.
MOHIN
Country: Bangladesh
Director: Md. Hasanuzzaman
Cast: Children, a group of naturists
Duration: 1:07:47
THE TALE OF ABBASIA
Country: Egypt
Director: Gasser Gado
Cast: Nabil Nour Eddin, Amr Ramzy, Hassan Abd El Wahab, Abd Al Raziq Mustafa
Duration: 1:15:36
11.8.
NOT ONE AND NOT TWO
Country: South Korea
Director: Seo Bo-hyung
Cast: Lim Hojun, Oui Jiwon, Seong Yonghoon, Kim Hyunjung, Jang Junwhee
Duration: 1:13:00
THE HOSTAGES OF POZAREVAC (ΟΙ ΟΜΗΡΟΙ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΖΑΡΕΒΑΤΣ)
Country: Greece
Director: Thomas Sideris
Duration: 1:28:22
12.8.
STRIE
Country: Italy
Director: Giorgio Barchetti
Cast: Evelyn Consalati, Christian Bianco, Alberto Scerbo
Duration: 00:47:11
FORBIDDEN WOMANHOOD
Country: Iran
Director: Maryam Zahirimehr
Cast: Milareza Aminataee, Farhard Mesbah, Farkhondeh Raya, Shiva Sinaee
Duration: 1:36:06
13.8.
WHAT IS LEFT TO DO ON SUNDAYS?
Country: France
Director: Yann Largouët
Cast: Herve Gisot and Loic Mrt
Duration: 00:57:23
STAIN OF THE SOUL
Country: Turkey
Director: Ceyhan Kandemir
Cast: Galip Niya, Melek Yel, Murat Pınar Özdemir, Cansu Özdemir, Fikret Kutlu
Duration: 1:20:00
(located at the Midnight Jazzdance Stage on the northern rampart of Niš Fortress, next to the former art studios)
Starts at 10:30 PM.
12.08.
HERE COMES THE DONKEY
Country: Serbia
Directors: Bojan Vinulović and Rennè Miskolci
Duration: 90 min.
Documentary
MATANGI/ MAYA/ M. I. A
Countries: United Kingdom, USA, Sri Lanka
Director: Steve Loveridge
Duration: 95 min.
Documentary
13.08.
RHEINGOLD
Countries: Germany, Italy, Netherlands
Director: Fatih Akin
Cast: Emilio Sakraya, Mona Pirzad, Julia Goldberg, Sogol Faghani, Karim Günes, Doğa Gürer
Duration: 138 min.
Fiction
SURPRISE MOVIE
The Nišville Movie Summit stage represents a counterbalance to the mundane cinema routine that has pushed documentary, experimental, and even narrative musical creations out of the mainstream blockbuster spaces.
The Nišville Movie Summit program is conceived to both elevate and unveil the relationship between the seventh art and jazz, as the classical music of the 21st century. The fusion of jazz with other artistic genres is connected by a common theme – the pursuit and attainment of freedom and a unique lifestyle through the personal process of creative improvisation.
The showcase of music films takes place at the Open-Air Cinema next to the Meteorological Station within the Fortress, the Drive-in Movie Nišville at the car market which encompasses musical blockbusters and recent productions, the courtyard of the Officers’ Club where selected narrative works are screened, and the Cinema at the Amphitheater on the Nišava riverside promenade, featuring documentaries and experimental films. A mobile cinema offers animated and children’s films, and in front of the Atelier within the Fortress, movies about renowned artists are showcased.
In addition to the new cinema spaces, the Nišville Movie Summit maintains two well-known ones.
The first one is near the Mountain Lodge within the Fortress, known as the Kristina Stage, where silent films are presented with live piano accompaniment, and the second is the Movie Stage – a cinema next to the Salon 77 Gallery, designed for ecological films.