Jaakko: BFI Flare 17.-28.3.
BFI Flare caters a selection of the best new LGBTQ+ films over 12 days. The online festival also features the Finnish Tove Jansson biopic Tove, which portrays her growth into an internationally renowned artist while also exploring her identity and true self in the turbulent post-war times. Alma Pöysti does an excellent role as Tove, who was a free-spirited multitalent and ahead of her time in many ways. I also look forward to the world premiere of Rebel Dykes, a joyful documentary about anarchist post-punk dyke culture in the UK in the 1980’s, told by artists, performers, musicians, sex workers and activists, who were there.
Iina’s pick: What Walaa Wants 8.-9.3.
In honor of International Women’s day and in partnership with the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival London based Bertha DocHouse arranges an online screening of What Walaa Wants. It’s a documentary feature film and beautiful coming-of-age story about young Walaa and her determination to join the Palestinian Security Forces. The screening will be followed by a live Q&A session with director Christy Garland. Register for free by clicking here.
Ninni’s pick: Future Player
Great news! British Innovation foundation Nesta’s super inspiring Future Fest goes digital. Future Player is free and available any time anywhere. I’m especially interested in artist Charlotte Jarvis’ film In Posse: ‘Female’ Semen and Other Acts of Resistance in which she, with the help of scientists, makes semen out of her body. There are also plenty of talks available on themes climate, communities, creativity, health, identity and tech. A great way to celebrate International Women’s Day (8.3.) is to watch writer Elif Shafak’s talks on a (very Finnish sounding) subject ‘Has optimism ruined the world and can pessimism save it?’
Volter’s pick: Mayor by David Osit
As if we haven’t spent enough time staring at screens and browsing endless movie recommendation lists over the past year, my pick for March is the recently released documentary, Mayor by David Osit. The documentary follows Musa Hadid, mayor of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank and captures the unique tension between the often inadvertently hilarious business of municipal politics and the everyday existential threats posed to the inhabitants and city of Ramallah.
Mayor is available to rent on Curzon Home Cinema: https://bit.ly/3bGpehQ, watch the trailer here.
