In about two months the 21st round of the Neisse Film Festival begins. The festival organizers at Kunstbauerkino e.V. in Grosshennersdorf, Germany are still working on the final film selection and program planning. Some highlights of the festival week have, however, been decided already!
Entitled "Female Perspectives," the Focus Series of this year's festival places particular attention on the female perspective and that in more than simply cinema. In addition to a broad spectrum of films which show women's perspective on our society, on Thursday May 16 at 7pm there will be "An Evening for Thomas Brasch" in Zittau's theater. Marion Brasch and Masha Qrella honor the writer and dramatist with a fascinating mix of texts, film and indie-pop songs. Born in exile in England and raised in the GDR, with his work Thomas Brasch both shaped the cultural memory there and was among the most acute observers. The multifaceted program combines literature, music and history in a captivating homage to an extraordinary life's work.
A further highlight in the festival program is the concert with the Ukrainian rapper alyona alyona in the Kühlhaus Görlitz on May 18th, at 8 pm. Since her breakthrough with the viral hit "Ribki", she has taken the hip-hop world by storm. Her texts, which she raps in her native tongue, portray images of women beyond all clichés, and speak of the challenges for young adults in the Ukraine in light of the ongoing war. Her messages and her biography have made her a role model for many young women, not only in her homeland, and have brought her numerous international awards. In live acts throughout Europe, alyona alyona and her stage presence have enthralled audiences, in for example the well-known Roskilde Festival. Her down-to-earth manner and her powerful performances make her an incomparable voice in rap.
Earlier, on Wednesday 15 May, at 9pm Kulturfabrik Meda is hosting a concert with Barbara Morgenstern. She has in her unique way shaped the German culture scene for over two decades. From the intimacy of a Berlin living room to award-winning theater productions, Barbara Morgenstern has always folowed her vision. In her new double-album "In anderem Licht" ("In another Light"), recorded in thelegendary Hansa Studios, marks a new point in her view of our time. The title reflects urgent topics such as the climate catastrophy, social change and th elonging for individual freedom. With influences ranging from John Cale to Björk, Barbara Morgenstern unites a certain eccentricity with virtuosity and an inclination towards a minimalism which leaves room for epic performances and unusual acoustic experiences.
Tickets can be purchased in advance e.g. via the official festival homepage, online at tixforgigs.com or at the theater ticket office.
The ceremony opening the 21st Neisse Film Festival will take place on 14 May 2024 at the Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater in Zittau with the film "Ellbogen" by Asli Özarsllan. The drama, based on the novel of the same name authored by Fatma Aydemir, is an atmospherically dense portrait of a young woman who pays a high price to free herself from the projections of society. On the following five festival days, about 80 current feature films, documentaries and short films from the three neighboring countries and eastern Europe will be shown in 19 locations in the three countries. In addition to three competitions and various thematic film collections, there will be a varied accompanying program of music, theater and an exhibition. The award ceremony is on May 18th in Kühlhaus, Görlitz. Awards will be given to the best feature, documentary and short films as well as for the audience favorites and for best acting, best screenplay and best production design. A Special Prize will also be awarded to a film dedicated in a special way to the understanding between countries and their cultural and ethnic differences - or what they have in common.
The complete festival program will be published here on April 15, 2024.