THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: First Look, a curated section of 20th IFFK, will showcase noted debuts from across the world. Films from China, Europe, South America and Africa, that have been made an impact and bagged awards at some international festivals, will be part of this section.
My Skinny Sister, the Swedish-German film by Sanna Lenken, is the story of two sisters. Stella’s big sister Katja is hiding an eating disorder and film portrays with warmth and humour the impact that the problem makes on the family. The film won Crystal Bear at Berlin International Film Festival among a string of other accolades.
Kaili Blues directed by Gan Bi won the Best Emerging Director at Locarno among other awards. The film follows lonely Dr Chen Sheng of the Kaili clinic who goes in search of his abandoned nephew. The Thin Yellow Line, a Mexican drama, revolves around five men who are hired to paint the median line of a 200 km road under a blazing sun.
Land and Shade by Cesar Augusto Acevedo bagged awards and special mentions at Cannes, Poland’s Tofi Fest and the Mumbai Film Festival. It is the story of Alfonso, who comes home after nearly two decades, to discover that a lot has changed, including his family’s concern for him. Lamb by Yared Zeleke is a film set against the drought-ridden Ethiopia. The film is woven around a young shepherd who must save his sheep from being sacrificed at the next religious feast.
Ives Rosenfelds Brazilian film Hopefuls bagged awards at Locarno and the Rio de Janeiro Film Festival for its director and actors. It is the story of a young footballer who sacrifices his career for his pregnant girlfriend, and burns up with jealousy when his friend signs a contract with a professional team. 600 Miles, the Mexican-American flick by director Gabriel Ripstei, looks at the unlikely eventual companionship between a young Mexican gun trafficker and an American law enforcement agent, who start out as enemies.