Programmer Karolis Žukas

Universal language (dir. Matthew Rankin)

CRITICS’ CHOICE
Breaking down barriers and uniting cultures, Universal Language reminds us that even when words fail, the human spirit finds a way to connect. Inspired by Iranian cinema, director Matthew Rankin blends his distinctive visual style with sharp humor to craft a film brimming with hope, one that deeply resonates in an increasingly divided world. A celebration of human connection, this comedy is for those who believe in the power of empathy.

April (dir. Dea Kulumbegashvili)

COMPETITION
With meticulously framed long takes and an atmospheric soundscape, Dea Kulumbegashvili builds an almost palpable sense of tension and unease as her compositions rival those of the best horror filmmakers. Radical in its form, the film contrasts the illusion of modernity with the oppressive weight of tradition. A seemingly advanced medical system is pitted against a deeply conservative society, where prejudice and patriarchal control dictate women’s lives. A hypnotic meditation on sexuality, social pressure, and the fight for bodily autonomy, April refuses to let the viewer look away.

Harvest (dir. Athina Rachel Tsangari)

PANORAMA
Acclaimed Greek director Athina Rachel Tsangari, known for her sharp dissections of human behavior in films like Attenberg and Chevalier, turns her lens toward a secluded medieval English village in Harvest. Both in spirit and aesthetics, the film echoes the free-spirited, psychedelic-infused cinema of 1970s North America and Eastern Europe. Shot on sun-drenched Scottish landscapes using 16mm film and only natural light, Harvest is at once intellectual and multilayered. It reflects humanity’s connection to the land while serving as a broader allegory for modern society or simply as a story of a quiet village grappling with the forces of approaching modernity.

The Brutalist (dir. Brady Corbet)

CRITICS’ CHOICE
A film meant to be experienced on the big screen, The Brutalist is a visually stunning and emotionally profound epic exploring the immigrant experience in post-war America. Adrien Brody delivers a powerful performance as László Tóth, a Holocaust survivor and visionary architect, with stellar support from Guy Pearce and Felicity Jones, both Oscar nominees, along with Brody. Shot in VistaVision film stock, used for the first time in six decades, and enriched with a grandiose soundtrack, the film creates a mesmerizing cinematic atmosphere. If you thought Hollywood had stopped making films like Once Upon a Time in America, The Godfather, or Fitzcarraldo, The Brutalist is here to prove you wrong. At 3 hours and 30 minutes, the only thing that feels too long is the intermission in between.

Viet and Nam (dir. Trương Minh Quý)

CRITICS’ CHOICE
Just before its Cannes premiere, Vietnam’s film department banned Viet and Nam for its bleak portrayal of the country. However, while the film is rooted in a specific place and history, its multilayered storytelling and poetic nature transform it into a deeply sensory and emotional experience. Here, lovers exchange bodily fluids and merge into one. Viet and Nam rewards patience much like a gold-mining expedition – the true beauty and depth gradually reveal themselves, peeling away layers of meaning one by one. A cinematic gem hidden among black coal, waiting to be discovered.

DIG! XX (dir. Ondi Timoner)

MAKE SOME NOISE!
Dig! XX is a rollercoaster ride through the wild world of rock ‘n’ roll, where egos clash, dreams spiral, and the music never stops. This raw and unfiltered documentary captures the rivalry between The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, exposing unstoppable ambition, love, obsession, arrests, death threats, highs, and lows – all driven by the larger-than-life personalities at its core. With intimate access and a killer soundtrack, Dig! XX is a must-see for music lovers and anyone who has ever dared to chase a dream, no matter how unpredictable the journey. This extended 20th-anniversary edition reminds us why the original became a cult classic and proves that sometimes, more is indeed better.

MadS (dir. David Moreau)

MIDNIGHT SCREAMS
Prepare for a full sensory assault! MadS is a blood-soaked fever dream, shot in one continuous take. Director David Moreau doesn’t hold back, delivering an unrelenting and gruesome explosion of violence that will keep your eyes glued to the screen. But MadS is more than just gore; it’s a stylish, hallucinogenic dive into chaos fueled by drug-induced paranoia and an almost tangible sense of dread. Until the very end, you’ll be asking yourself: is this a viral outbreak, a bad trip gone wrong, or simply a world spiraling into madness? This is extreme French cinema at its best – a wild ride that will leave you breathless.

Grand Theft Hamlet (dir. Pinny Grylls, Sam Crane)

SCREEN 9
A surprisingly profound and hilarious collision of Shakespearean drama and virtual anarchy. This bold documentary throws you headfirst into the chaotic world of Grand Theft Auto, where a group of actors, stuck in lockdown, attempt to stage a virtual performance of Hamlet – dodging bullets and explosions along the way. A love letter to theater and a testament to the enduring power of art, even in the face of existential dread and digital mayhem. Grand Theft Hamlet is a must-see for gamers, theater lovers, or anyone who appreciates a damn good story.