23rd Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival
Into the Okavango
synopsis
This travel documentary chronicles a four-month scientific expedition to study the mysterious Okavango riverscape. This film about a journey that brings together scientists and the local population offers magical shots of unexplored nature as well as its animal inhabitants, and brings an environmental message regarding the situation in the surrounding African countries.
biography
American Neil Gelinas is a producer and director for National Geographic. Into the Okavango is his feature-length debut and, like the other films he has produced, focuses on the last wilderness areas of our planet that remain undisturbed by humans.
more about film
| director: | Neil Gelinas |
| producer: | Neil Gelinas |
| script: | Neil Gelinas, Brian Newell |
| photography: | Neil Gelinas, Jon Betz, Roger Horrocks |
| editing: | Neil Gelinas, Brian Newell |
| music: | Sven Faulconer |
other films in the section
This philosophical film-essay explores the relationship between man and nature through long scenes of the mountainous landscape of the American West. A quiet meditation on the imperfect perception of reality, the search for the meaning of life, and finding harmony in the world around us, accompanied by a voiceover of the filmmakers’ views and philosophical commentary.
Becoming Animal
Peter Mettler, Emma Davie
United Kingdom, Switzerland / 2018 / 78 min.
section: A Testimony on Nature
Czech Premiere
The Curonian Spit is a destination for both tourists and cormorants. The camera follows visitors from a bird’s-eye view. Their sensations become part of the place’s biodiversity. The ancient birds are – for now – turning into feared bearers of ruin. This observational document looks upon a spectacular part of the continent, the main attraction of which is its dead forest.
Acid Forest
Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė
Lithuania / 2018 / 63 min.
section: A Testimony on Nature
East European Premiere
In 2017, climate change was the theme of all exhibitions by two Swedish artists. The film, which maps their annual tour around the world, combines educational moments with the observation of the common life of both artists. Shots of their installations and objects act as alienating effect that enhances the relevance of the global theme.
The Climate Experiment
Mats Bigert, Lars Bergström
Morocco, Norway, United States, France, China, Sweden / 2018 / 58 min.
section: A Testimony on Nature
World Premiere
They call it Sodom. A hell for people. A paradise for business. The world’s biggest dump of electronic waste is teeming with noises of people working. They rummage, collect, recover and burn down. An impressive apocalyptic tableau on meticulous work within a new economic segment. A disconcerting testimony on life conditions.
Welcome to Sodom
Christian Krönes, Florian Weigensamer
Austria / 2018 / 90 min.
section: A Testimony on Nature
Czech Premiere
The flora and fauna of Madagascar fascinate scientists from all over the world. Some spend their entire lives exploring the island. This visually captivating documentary follows several researchers during their work in the inhospitable conditions of the rainforest. A film reflection on the enthusiasm and patience of individuals hungry for the discovery of the unknown.
To the Unknown
Liinu Grönlund
Finland / 2017 / 30 min.
section: A Testimony on Nature
Czech Premiere
This observational film essay on our relations with the natural wealth is based on a real event and seed banks storing quantities of seeds of various plants in case of a global catastrophe. The film documents three places with different traditions related to the land – Aleppo, Lebanon, and Svalbard.
Wild Relatives
Jumana Manna
Germany, Norway, Lebanon / 2018 / 66 min.
section: A Testimony on Nature
Central European Premiere
This short film with a clear moral message looks at the illegal activities of the activist group known as Empty Cages, which liberates animals from inhuman living conditions at large factory farms. The filmmaker compares the activists’ viewpoint with the opinions of the people around them and encourages us to consider what value society places on the lives of animals.
Empty Cages
Teresia Fant
Sweden, Norway / 2017 / 36 min.
section: A Testimony on Nature
East European Premiere
