The two Generation programs presented by the Berlin International Film Festival since 1978 are devoted to younger viewers, and about 60,000 of them attend each year. Today, the Berlinale‘s announced the first round of 15 titles lined up for the section, with the full program to be unveiled in mid-January. This follows last week’s announcement of the first six titles set for the Competition. Berlinale 2013 runs from February 7 through 17. Straight from the festival, descriptions and all:
Generation 14plus:
Baby Blues, by Kasia Rosłaniec (Poland). An extroverted teenage mother’s tour de force through a world of daily chores, nappies fashion and drugs. European premiere.
Capturing Dad, by Ryota Nakano (Japan). Two young girls at their father’s funeral service. A laconic, humorous story about saying final goodbyes to a trusted stranger. International premiere.
Hide Your Smiling Faces, by Daniel Patrick Carbone (USA). In a remote rural settlement, two young brothers learn to deal with the loss of a friend and the inevitable forces involved in becoming an adult. Atmospheric US independent cinema. World premiere.
Pluto, by Shin Suwon (Republic of Korea). June just has to belong to the clique of best students at his school, who take brutal measures against their rivals. Dramatic thriller about the destructive powers of a highly ambitious society. International premiere.
Shopping, by Louis Sutherland and Mark Albiston (New Zealand). The half-Samoan brothers Willie and Solomon are caught between fronts. Willie has fallen under the influence of a gang leader, while Solomon has to assert himself against their father. European premiere.
The Cold Lands, by Tom Gilroy (USA). With Lili Taylor and John Ventimiglia. After his mother’s sudden death, Atticus flees from the authorities into the rugged mountains and dense forests of upstate New York. World premiere.
Touch of the Light, by Chang Jung-Chi (Taiwan / Hong Kong, China). Yu-Siang, a young blind man, moves on his own from the provinces to Taipei to study the piano. A film that embraces all the senses—from Wong Kar-wai’s Jet Tone production company. European premiere.
Tough Bond, by Austin Peck, Anneliese Vandenberg (USA). When cultural and family ties no longer exist, homeless children find comfort in sniffing glue. Intimate documentary images and a radically honest look at Kenyan society. World premiere.
Generation Kplus:
Kopfüber (UPSIDEdown), by Bernd Sahling (Germany). Sascha is ten, steals things and can hardly read. When the doctor prescribes medicine for ADHD, everyone hopes he’ll calm down and get back on track. World premiere.
Mammu, es Tevi mīlu (Mother, I Love You), by Jānis Nords (Latvia). His mother has three jobs so Raymond is all on his own. He gets himself into a terrible predicament. World premiere.
Nono, Het Zigzag Kind (The Zigzag Kid), by Vincent Bal (Netherlands / Belgium). With Isabella Rossellini and Burghart Klaussner. Before his Bar Mitzvah, Nono is supposed to learn how to behave from Uncle Sjmoel. Yet a mysterious man takes him on a trip into his family’s secret past. European premiere.
ÖDLAND – Damit keiner das so mitbemerkt (WASTELAND – So that No One Becomes Aware of It) (Germany). In strikingly beautiful images and told with the words of children, this documentary recounts how it feels to be a refugee caught between worlds. World premiere / Documentary film.
Satellite Boy, by Catriona McKenzie (Australia). With David Gulpilil. Pete, an Aboriginal boy, lives with his grandfather in the Australian outback. When their home is threatened with demolition, Pete ventures on a bold journey to save his country. European premiere.
The Rocket, by Kim Mordaunt (Australia). Little Ahlo and his family are forced to find a new place to live. Their trek through war-torn Laos leads them to the highly explosive rocket festival. World premiere.
Twa Timoun (Three Kids), by Jonas d’Adesky (Belgium). Three Haitian street children organise what they need to survive in Port au Prince, the capital city that was nearly demolished by the earthquake. A tale of unwavering friendship in documentary style. European premiere.
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