Pathways

This selection of films focuses on the contemporary iteration of the capitalist individual—ranging from the dystopian reality to which Elon Musk is increasingly subjecting the entire world, to the packed consultation rooms of plastic surgeons in Tehran. It also covers more everyday phenomena, such as mass tourism in the Cinque Terre, the throwaway culture surrounding our Christmas celebrations, and the people behind the packages and meals delivered to our doorsteps. While the impact of this hyper-capitalism is already taking its toll everywhere, the forces driving it seem far from reaching their limits.  

This selection of films captures—and in some instances stages—human interaction as a form of role-play. Everyone plays a part, whether consciously or not, observed through the filmmaker’s lens. Small gestures are magnified; the theatrical nature of everyday life is framed and highlighted. Whether this spectacle unfolds in parliament or the boxing ring, at a reunion of old friends or at a wedding, the characters conform to the roles assigned to them. 

This selection of films takes us through the veins of the earth; we traverse geopolitical boundaries and witness how, in certain regions, drought or flooding threatens the habitability of the land for both humans and animals. Elsewhere, riverbanks and cool waters provide the setting for chance encounters or carefully orchestrated rituals. Symbolically, rivers evoke the inexorable passage of time—or offer a space to search for a loved one who vanished into unfathomable depths. 

The films in this pathway offer a thoughtful look at how climate change is affecting our lives. From artistic documentaries capturing the devastating fires in California to character-driven films about activists, this selection invites audiences to look at the climate crisis from different perspectives. Alongside the urgency of the environmental challenges we face, these films encourage us to reflect on our own responsibilities and everyday choices.  

A nuanced look at borders, migration, and lives on hold lies at the heart of this selection. From borders that were once open and now are impossible to cross, to those living between countries and continents, waiting for the moment when they can finally begin to build a life, these films offer powerful reflections on what limited freedom of movement means today. Trapped between countries, between past and future, we meet remarkable protagonists who strive to overcome the uncertainty and challenges of this stage in their lives. 

A creative and intimate approach to history is at the heart of the films in this pathway. Some directors delve into the lives of their parents or grandparents, while others confront their own fears as they explore the recent history of their countries. Other filmmakers reimagine the past by uncovering the stories of those who witnessed it firsthand. Together, these fascinating films challenge stereotypes and offer new perspectives and insights into history, even for those already familiar with these subjects.   

Children and teenagers grow up in different circumstances, even when they are not far from one another. From Russian youth surrounded by patriotic and war propaganda, to Roma girls living in wealthy castles and dreaming of escape, to talented young circus acrobats from Ukraine facing the impact of war, these films offer intimate glimpses into the very different worlds in which young people are finding their way. Engaging and deeply human, the films follow their protagonists through some of the most difficult moments of their lives, while showing how they manage to hold on to their dreams of a different future. 

How do political militancy, exile, wars, and migration affect a household? How do the members of a family cope with mental health problems, illness, and social discrimination? Is acceptance and reconciliation the only path to cure fractures, secrets, and misunderstandings? Filled with love and cinematic craft, this revealing selection of self-reflective films delves into the directors’ origins, the strength of ancestors, and how life cycles repeat in their families, turning intimate sagas into foundations of collective history.    

What do they have in common the essential contributions to modern botany of Hu Xiansu, the political ideology of Che Guevara, the theoretical work of Edward Said, the body of theological and social thought of Desmond Tutu, and the foundational contributions to probability theory by mathematician Dominique Lépingle? The films in this pathway highlight the legacy of brilliant minds whose original and, in many cases, subversive perspectives continue to be the intellectual inspiration of generations that resist the alienation of groupthink. 

Dismantling colonial structures and achieving true liberation is an ongoing, often challenging process—one that remains unfinished in many parts of the world. At times, it unfolds quietly; at others, it becomes entangled in persistent, inherited systems. Today, the work of decolonization can feel more complex than ever. The films in this pathway critically examine the enduring struggles faced by individuals and communities as they search for identity, reclaim dignity, and assert rights long denied under imperial rule. 

In authoritarian regimes, dictatorships, and exploitative economic systems, it is often only a handful of individuals who find the courage to stand up and resist. Through varied and stimulating formal approaches, the films in this pathway tell inspiring stories that highlight those who leave their comfort zones to fight for justice and challenge power imbalances, inequality and discrimination, despite the risk to their lives, their freedom, or the safety of their loved ones. 

The artist holds a sacred place in our society. The writers, singers, dancers, photographers, sculptors, and painters portrayed in this selection of films are the visionaries who expand the space for imagination, beauty, and curiosity. In this selection of films, we present a mosaic of makers and dreamers from a range of creative disciplines and contexts whose work asks us to venture into a deeper engagement with the world and ourselves.  

This pathway is supported by Brook Foundation

Humans are a part of nature, yet our actions have such a profound impact that the world around us is rapidly being transformed. This selection of films takes us on distant journeys, from the magnitude of geological faults in California to the melting glaciers of the Alps, to the silent resistance of wild asparagus and metasequoias. Along the way, we meet local heroes who, with remarkable determination, fight to protect and preserve what can still be saved. 

This pathway is supported by Brook Foundation

Democracy is not a given; it must be defended and nurtured every single day. The films in this pathway introduce us to individuals on the front lines of the fight for freedom of speech, human rights, civic participation, and the preservation of sovereign and democratic institutions. Their stories reveal the many powerful forms of resistance and political activism can take, offering inspiration even in countries where democracy is often taken for granted. 

This pathway is supported by Vfonds