Fifteen films have already been invited to compete in Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival. The early list includes 3 films from the US including Hide Your Smiling Faces directed by Daniel Patrick Carbone, The Cold Lands directed by Tom Gilroy and Tough Bond by Austin Peck, Anneliese Vandenberg. The complete Generation program will be announced in mid January. The 63rd Berlin International Film Festival will run February 7 – 17, 2013.
Films include:
Generation 14plus:
Baby Blues – Poland
By Kasia Rosłaniec
An extroverted teenage mother’s tour de force through a world of daily chores, nappies fashion and drugs.
European premiere
Capturing Dad – Japan
By Ryota Nakano
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 – USA
By Daniel Patrick Carbone
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 – Republic of Korea
By SHIN Suwon
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 – New Zealand
By Louis Sutherland, Mark Albiston
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 – USA
By Tom Gilroy
With Lili Taylor, 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 – Taiwan / Hong Kong, China
By CHANG Jung-Chi
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 – USA
By Austin Peck, Anneliese Vandenberg
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) – Germany
By Bernd Sahling
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) – Latvia
By Jānis Nords
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) – Netherlands / Belgium
By Vincent Bal
With Isabella Rossellini, 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 – Australia
By Catriona McKenzie
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 – Australia
By Kim Mordaunt
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) – Belgium
By Jonas d’Adesky
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