Step by Step
Childhood innocence gives way to repression in this confronting short film. In hindsight, this experimental documentary from 1978 on hardening attitudes within Syrian society seems disturbingly prescient.
Step by Step & First Case, Second Case
Description
Two films from the late seventies – both banned for many years – centering on children as a metaphor for authority and repression. In his experimental debut from 1978, Mohammed sheds light on the ominous near future of Syria; while Kiarostami presents a case study between two repressive regimes in Iran.
Focus: 16 Worlds on 16
Reflecting on 100 years of 16mm since Kodak introduced this film format, this focus program explores how the history of documentary film has been influenced as a result. The selection includes classics from cinema verité such as Daguerréotypes by Agnès Varda and Salesman by the Maysels, as well as examples of films that wrap their criticism of authorities in metaphors due to censorship, as in "First Case, Second Case" where Abbas Kiarostami examines revolutionary thought
