The films in Cultural Backgrounds are a peculiar reaction to those phenomena in cinema, allowing us to look at the matters of people from other cultural circles through their own eyes, and not through the perspective of the Western culture.

Fatih the Conqueror, dir. Onur Yagiz (Turkey) 2023, 16’, 16+ A Turkish wedding day is about to happen at Espace Venise. A 21-year-old Fatih wants to get married. His chosen one is Ipek, Recep’s sister. However, neither Ipek, nor her brother are aware of this yet. Film presented at Clermont-Ferrand ISFF. Polish premiere.

In Short, dir. Henya Brodbeker, Esti Grinberg, Lea Unger, Elinora Schwartz (Israel) 2022, 20’, 15+
Four ultra-orthodox Jewish women create four short films relating to their own feminine, religious worlds: disabilities in the ultra-orthodox society, organ donation to a non-Jew, a family discussion about suicide, and domestic violence. Polish premiere.

Memories of Vincennes, dir. Theo Vincent (France) 2023, 20’, 15+
The body of a young, Senegalese immigrant is found on the ruins of a colonial exposition building in the Vincennes forest. Moussa has only one goal: to preserve the memory of his deceased friend. Polish premiere.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, dir. Alvin Lee (Singapore) 2023, 19’, 15+
Due to a mistake, the body of an unknown nursing home resident ends up in a coffin intended for a respected businessman. The owner of a funeral home comes up with an idea to solve this difficult situation. Film presented at Busan IFF. Polish premiere.

The Thirteenth Year, dir. Samad Alizadeh (Iran) 2023, 10’, 13+
Helia turns 13 and this led her family to restrict her from riding on her beloved bicycle. But the girl does not intend to submit. Film presented at Giffoni FF. Polish premiere.