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USA Today
09-03-2025
- Science
- USA Today
Butterflies are in trouble. It doesn't take much to help
Butterflies are in trouble. It doesn't take much to help Butterflies population decreases worry researchers. But even the smallest bit of garden – or just a pot of flowers – can help them survive. Show Caption Hide Caption A group of butterflies flew 2,610 miles across the Atlantic Ocean without stopping Painted lady butterflies venture far and wide with their impressive migratory patterns that stretch for thousands of kilometres, but they often travel across land so they can stop to rest. StringersHub New research shows butterfly populations have fallen dramatically over the past two decades, but there's a lot you can do to help these fluttering flower-lovers, even if all you've got is a single pot on a porch. 'You can really make a difference to the local population. Any individual flower you put out it likely to get visited,' said Nick Dorian, a post-doctoral researcher at the Chicago Botanic Garden who studies butterflies. All it takes is planting a few flowers and avoiding insecticides. Here's what to know: Butterflies are taking a dive Researchers across the United States collected data on more than 35 butterfly monitoring programs. It included data from 12.6 million individual butterflies comprising 554 species taken in 756,957 surveys. The results were worse than they expected. "They are all in trouble, everywhere," said Collin Edwards, an ecological modeler with the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife and first author on the paper published in the journal Science. The chief causes of the decline include habitat destruction, a drier and hotter climate because of climate change and insecticide use. This is where humans come in ‒ because it doesn't take much to plant a butterfly haven. All the insects need is nectar from flowers and places to lay their eggs, which just about any yard can provide. No in-depth research is required, said Elizabeth Crone, a professor in the Department of Evolution & Ecology at the University of California Davis and one of the authors of the paper documenting the decline of the much-loved insects. 'I just look at what flowers the bees and butterflies are visiting in the garden center. Then I buy those plants and plant them.' Milkweed, the preferred food of monarch butterflies, gets all the press but almost any flower is great, and lots of herbs as well. They don't have to be exotic. Golden Alexander, Zinnias, Mexican sunflowers, Cosmos, Snapdragons are all big nectar producers. 'You don't need the champagne of pollinator flowers – Miller Light will do,' she said. Get to know your local butterflies There are probably more butterflies flapping around your yard than you realize. If you have the time and the inclination – perhaps with a cool drink or while you listen to a podcast – spend some time in the warmer months just sitting near your plants to see what drops by. In 10 or 20 minutes you're likely to see visitors. 'It can be easy to think 'I don't see any butterflies in my garden' because you glanced a few times throughout the day. But actually, there were 10 butterflies there today, Dorian said. 'The butterfly might only stay for 90 seconds, but that's all it needs to get a nice meal from your flowers.' A quick online search for 'local butterflies' in your area should provide all the images you need to name these callers to your garden. Spending time with the flowers will also let you know what to plant more of next year. 'They'll tell you what flowers to keep growing," said Atticus Murphy, a postdoctoral researcher at UC Davis who helped Crone write a guide to pollinator gardens. If you plant it, they will come You don't have to worry whether butterflies can find your flowers, say experts. Butterflies spend their time flying around searching for food and all it takes is a colorful display to attract them. 'They have pretty good eyes for pursuing color. They fly high up and look around,' said Dorian. Some species also have an excellent sense of smell. Monarchs can sniff out a milkweed plant from a football field away. That means they're able to piece together separate flowers over a fairly large area to get the nectar they need. So you're not responsible for providing all their needs, it's all about the broader area, said Crone. 'And if you're the first, that's a great start.' Every bud helps For those without yards, there are many pollinator-friendly plants that do well in containers. Herbs are good, if they're allowed to flower, as are flowers like anise hyssop, purple coneflower and swamp milkweed. The nice thing is that butterflies want the same thing as humans. 'We like a big diversity of colors, we want beautiful showy flowers,' said Dorian. The movement to plant butterfly gardens has really taken off in the past decade. 'It's incredibly exciting to see so many people taking an interest in conservation,' Crone said. 'Nature isn't someplace you have to go to, it's all around us.' Given the doom and gloom about the environment these days, it's nice to make a difference, she said. 'When you plant a garden, it becomes a little easier to have hope,' she said. 'It's such a powerful antidote.'
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Greece's Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival Announces 2025 Competition Lineups
The Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival has announced its competition lineups for the March event, a slate of world, international and European premieres hailing from Greece, Paraguay, Kyrgyzstan, Israel, Kenya, the U.S. and other parts of the globe. The 10 films chosen for International Competition will compete for the Golden Alexander and the Silver Alexander – the festival's top prizes. The winner of the Golden Alexander will receive a €12,000 award and automatically qualify for Oscar consideration in the Best Documentary Feature category. The Silver Alexander comes with a €5,000 prize. More from Deadline Thessaloniki: 'The Secret Of Me' From 'Three Identical Strangers' Producer Grace Hughes-Hallett Among Titles Set For Newcomers Competition Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival Sets 2025 In Progress & Agora Boost Sidebars With Projects From Spain, Pakistan & Algeria Thessaloniki Hails 26th Edition Of Documentary Festival Which Overcame "Episodes Of Violence And Intolerance" Scroll for the full list of films selected for International Competition, Newcomers Competition (composed of feature documentaries by young filmmakers), and >>Film Forward Competition ('hosting movies that challenge conventions and utter a bold and daring cinematic language'). International Competition boasts the world premieres of three Greek documentaries: Bull's Heart, directed by Eva Stefani; Sculpted Souls, directed by Stavros Psillakis; The Goals of August, directed by Dimitris Koutsiabasakos. Also highlighting International Competition are several films that just held their world premieres at Sundance: Coexistence, My Ass!, a documentary directed by Amber Fares that won the Special Jury Award for Freedom of Expression at Sundance; GEN_, directed by Gianluca Matarrese; and Free Leonard Peltier, directed by Jesse Short Bull and David France. The latter film centers on the Native American activist Leonard Peltier, who spent almost 50 years in prison after his conviction in the shooting deaths of two FBI agents at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Many of his supporters viewed him as a political prisoner. Peltier was released from a Florida prison only a few days ago following the commutation of his sentence by Pres. Biden on his last day in office. Peltier, 80, will now serve indefinite home confinement. Under the Flags, the Sun, also in International Competition, just premiered at the Berlin Film Festival. The film directed by directed by Juanjo Pereira is built around found footage documenting the 35-year dictatorship of Paraguay's strongman Alfredo Stroessner. Winners in the International Competition section will be selected by a jury of three: Dimitris Athiridis, photographer, documentary filmmaker, producer, and editor; Lauren Greenfield, filmmaker; and Signe Byrge Sørensen, producer. The Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning Seeds, directed by Brittany Shyne, has been chosen for the >>Film Forward Competition, along with the animated Endless Cookie, and the world premieres of Death Plan for a Dog and a Man (dir. Christos Karakepelis), NovaMax SkyLand (dir. Dionysia Kopana), The One Who Hopes (dir. Stratis Chatzielenoudas), Museum of the Night (dir. Fermín Eloy Acosta), and Where Do You Call Home? (dir. Ana Pérez-Quiroga). The 27th Thessaloniki International Documentary Festivals runs March 6-16 in the Greek seaside city. These are the competition films just announced by TiDF: International Competition ● Bull's Heart, Eva Stefani, Greece, 2024, 78΄ (World premiere) Can art give meaning to our lives? A documentary produced by Onassis Culture, which focuses on the performance 'Transverse Orientation' by Dimitris Papaioannou. Filmmaker Eva Stefani follows the preparations behind Transverse Orientation and its tour across theatrical stages in Europe, observing from a close distance Dimitris Papaioannou and his collaborators in their effort to give shape and breathe life into the work. For two years, her camera captured scenes from the rehearsals at the Onassis Stegi during the pandemic, as well as performances in Paris, London, Vilnius, and other international destinations, leading to the last show in San Francisco. The central question that runs through the documentary is 'Why do we do what we do?' elevating art as a means of resisting the futility of things and a way to reapply meaning to our own lives. ● Sculpted Souls, Stavros Psillakis, Greece, 2025, 89΄ (World premiere) For 26 years (1972–1998), Swiss dentist Julien Grivel treated Hansenites (lepers) pro bono in Greece. An inner journey that helped him see the world and life differently. 'By adopting the language of the Greeks, I unconsciously adopted their thinking,' he says. His friendship with ex-hansenite Manolis Fountoulakis was a catalyst. ● The Goals of August, Dimitris Koutsiabasakos, Greece, 2025, 116΄ (World premiere) The Goals of August is a kaleidoscope of events, incidents, and moments from the everyday life of a village in the southern Pindos mountains. during an impromptu football tournament. The documentary aims to create, through observation, an 'impressionistic' portrait of a small community in its summer aliveness. A portrait with light and shadows, charming and sometimes frightening, which, despite its contradictions is above all unexpectedly alive and genuine. ● Child of Dust, Weronika Mliczewska,, 2025, 92΄ (World premiere) Sang is one of the thousands of unwanted and marginalized children abandoned by American soldiers after the Vietnam War. At 55, his lifelong dream of finding his father finally comes true, but he must race against time. Before their long-awaited reunion, Sang must confront his own weaknesses, internal conflicts, and the deep scars of war – wounds that have not only shaped his life but have haunted the generations that followed. His journey to the United States forces him to face profound questions about his identity while struggling to bridge the gap between two vastly different worlds and cultures. Reuniting with his father offers a sense of redemption, but not without challenges. Fifty years after the war's end, the wounds remain wide open. ● Coexistence, My Ass!, Amber Fares, USA-France, 2025, 95΄ (International premiere) Comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi creates a personal and political one-woman show about the struggle for equality in Israel/Palestine. When the elusive coexistence she's spent her life working toward starts sounding like a bad joke, she challenges her audiences with hard truths that are no laughing matter. With a narrative backbone of Noam Shuster Eliassi's brilliant stand-up set developed at Harvard University and filmed before a live audience, the film documents not only the shifting perspective of Eliassi – a UN diplomat turned comedian – but also the unfolding realities in the region and the resulting seismically dynamic discourse surrounding it. Audiences will come away with a laugh, a tear, and an openness that feels all together like both a salve and a kick in the ass. ● Free Leonard Peltier, Jesse Short Bull & David France, USA, 2025, 110΄ (International premiere) Directed by Jesse Short Bull (Lakota Nation vs. the United States) and David France (How to Survive a Plague, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, and Welcome to Chechnya), and produced by Bird Runningwater, the film follows Leonard Peltier, one of the surviving leaders of the American Indian Movement, who has been in prison for 50 years following a contentious conviction. A new generation of Native activists is committed to winning his freedom before he dies. ● GEN_, Gianluca Matarrese, France-Italy-Switzerland, 2025, 103' (European premiere) At Milan's Niguarda Public Hospital, the unconventional Dr. Maurizio Bini and his team offer medical care to couples aspiring to be parents through IVF, as well as to people wishing to undergo gender-affirming surgery. Dr. Bini's team, composed of doctors and nurses, works decisively against the constraints imposed by a conservative government and an aggressive market eager to commodify the human body. At a time when reproduction and gender identity often turn into a battlefield for political controversy, it is easy to miss the quintessence; it is a surgical procedure carried out by medical professionals well versed in such knowledge. Niguarda is one of the few public hospitals in Italy where these kinds of procedures are allowed. The filmmaker shadows Dr. Bini and his team for months, capturing their work through a cinematic lens overflowing with compassion. With great sensitivity and attention to detail, he encapsulates the commitment, care, and depth that permeate the relationships between doctors, nurses and their patients. ● Kick-off, Roser Corella & Stefano Obino, Germany, 2025, 77΄ (World premiere) In the remote village of Kök-Tash, Kyrgyzstan, where conservative norms confine women to domestic duties, an activist organizes a women's football tournament to challenge these patriarchal traditions. Stunningly filmed, visually captivating, and quite evocative, Kick-Off demonstrates how athletics has the power to break taboos, opposing the norms of traditionalism, while promoting gender quality in rigidly patriarchal societies, where women are left with no choice but to occupy the margins of solely inflexible, highly restrictive roles. Sports and play, being the most natural expression of human joy – unbound by limitations and uncontained, are the best response to the sullen 'no's' imposed by any form of oppression. With masterful aesthetics, cinematic power, and a splendidly fluid directorial approach, clear of any pretentiousness, this riveting film by Roser Corella and Stefano Obino, introduces us to a faraway world that is simultaneously so near us in our need for freedom, self-determination, and revolution. ● Supernatural, Ventura Durall, Spain-Belgium-France, 2025, 81΄ (World premiere) Mathu, a medical doctor, grew into the complete opposite of his father, a spiritual healer. While Mathu is an ascetic loner, Malby was a hedonistic womanizer. Mathu's controlled reality unravels when Anna, a Malby devoted believer, tries to convince him that his father saved her life through telepathic healing. He is now forced to come to terms with his family trauma, while challenging Anna's beliefs. The confrontation turns into an exploration of the opposite beliefs between Science and Magic. ● Under the Flags, the Sun, Juanjo Pereira, Paraguay-Argentina-USA-France-Germany, 2025, 89΄ (International premiere) In 1989, the fall of Alfredo Stroessner's 35-year dictatorship in Paraguay marked the end of one of the world's longest authoritarian regimes, but also the abandonment of the audiovisual archives that had cemented its power. This footage, crafted to shape a national identity and celebrate the regime, was left to fade from memory. Decades later, a trove of unseen and long-forgotten footage – as newsreels, public television broadcasts, propaganda films, and declassified documents – has been recovered from Paraguay and abroad, revealing the hidden mechanisms of power behind Stroessner's rule. A visual experience through the history of the media, covering all the supports that have been able to store pieces of memory during the 20th century. The found Paraguayan footage reflects the appropriation of the past to indoctrinate, the construction of a national imaginary, and the cult of Stroessner. The foreign archives narrate the Cold War, international alliances, and the power game that allowed the dictatorship to prosper, in addition to denouncing propaganda and oppression. It is an archeology of the present, in a country where the descendants of the regime's leaders still rule. Newcomers competition Ten films of over 50 minutes in length, created by young filmmakers, will compete for the Golden Alexander 'Dimitri Eipides' and the Silver Alexander Award. The Golden Alexander 'Dimitri Eipides' award is accompanied by a €10,000 cash prize. The Silver Alexander Award is accompanied by a €4,000 cash prize. The Jury is composed of Inka Achté, filmmaker and programmer, Tina Mandilara, journalist, and Tünde Skovrán, filmmaker. ● Lo, Thanassis Vassiliou, Greece-France, 2025, 70΄ (World premiere) 'A year after my mother's death I return to the empty Athenian apartment of my childhood to deal with a problematic inheritance. From the now bare surfaces of the flat fragments of my family's memories emerge, intertwining my personal history with the collective trauma of the Greek Junta.' (T.V.) ● Super Paradise, Steve Krikris, Greece-Germany, 2024, 87΄ (World premiere) Over the past 50 years, Mykonos has experienced sweeping transformations. What was cheap became unaffordable; what was sparsely populated became a top destination, crushed by mass tourism; what was a symbol of inclusivity became one of exclusivity. What happened? How did total freedom and self-expression give way to something so different? Were the seeds for what it became planted in the 1970s? Was it about the people and their unquenchable thirst for freedom or was it something more? ● Τhey Talk About Worship Here, Byron Kritzas, Greece, 2025, 88΄ (World premiere) Poetic, dramatic, funny, MTV kids growing up on the Greek island of Corfu, Kore. Ydro. conquered the Greek indie pop/rock scene like only a few bands did, receiving both adoration and derision. The documentary follows their journey, focusing not only on the two core members but also on the importance of being special, without feeling ashamed. ● How to Build a Library, Maia Lekow & Christopher King, Kenya-USA, 2025, 102΄ (International premiere) Shiro and Wachuka attempt to convert a derelict, trash-filled library in the heart of Nairobi into a vibrant hub of culture and creativity for the city's inhabitants. The building in question, the historical McMillan Memorial Library, built in 1931 by British colonizers, was exclusively reserved for white people until 1958. The two women, determined and dedicated to their cause, took on the ambitious project of the renovation works in 2017. However, as they go through the archive material, conflicted emotions arise within them – anger and appreciation in equal measure – as they grapple with the dilemma of which elements of Kenya's colonial heritage are worth preserving and which should be left to obscurity. By capturing the complicated process of the library's restoration, the bureaucratic hurdles, and the precariousness of the project in the face of political change, the filmmakers, Maia Lekow and Christopher King, simultaneously manage to explore another pivotal question; when are compromises justified in the wider debate on acknowledging and offering restitution for colonial heritage? ● My Sunnyside, Matylda Kawka, Poland-USA, 2025, 92΄ (World premiere) Jo and Allie, a trans couple from Sunnyside, Queens, have built a life together that defies easy categorization. Their journey begins with a serendipitous meeting on a dating app in 2016, leading to their marriage two years later, yet their path is filled with challenges they could never have anticipated. Despite the persistent discrimination and systemic barriers they face as trans individuals, their love remains their guiding force. As they navigate their transitions, careers, and family dynamics, resilience, support, and fulfillment prevail. Through moments of joy and vulnerability, My Sunnyside invites viewers into the intimate and evolving world of two people committed to forging a future together, even as the unexpected continues to reshape their lives. Tender, compassionate, and uplifting, their story becomes a celebration of love, identity, belonging, and the transformative power of finding family in the most surprising places. ● Queens of Joy, Olga Gibelinda, Ukraine-France-Czech Republic, 2025, 90΄ (World premiere) Amidst the maelstrom of war in Ukraine, three drag queens – Diva Monroe, Marlene, and Aura – refuse to abandon their homeland. Instead of fleeing, they choose to fight: for freedom, the LGBTQ+ community, and their very existence. From the glamour of the show to the brutality of war, the film follows their lives -filled with loss, fear, as well as indomitable courage. Marlen grapples with old wounds, Diva Monroe finds herself once more, and Aura fights for a place both in the army and onto the stage. A charity drag show they organize to support Ukraine turns into a symbol of unity and resilience. The film is a story of self- discovery, love, hope, and the power to find joy even in the darkest of times. ● Pet Farm, Finn Walther & Martin A. Walther, Norway, 2024, 83΄(International premiere) Joakim is a 40-year-old Norwegian man who had one dream ever since he was a child: to create a farm, where he would raise foxes for domestication and later sell them as pets. Solitary, eccentric, shrouded in a mystical melancholy, Joakim fights for his farm and leads a withdrawn life, with only his pets and a neighbor for company; a Slovak immigrant who also lives ostracized, as an outsider. Set against the backdrop of the grandeur of Scandinavian nature – exquisitely depicted on the film's stunning cinematography – and accompanied by an evocative string soundtrack that emphasizes the melancholy permeating the characters, Pet Farm masterfully paints the portrait of a man who seems to embody the verses by Seferis: 'Tortured by my own shirt / condemned by my own gods.' With tenderness and love for its protagonist, the film touches on the unshakeable bond between man, animal, and nature in a profoundly touching manner. ● Resilience, Tomas Elsik, Czech Republic, 2025, 80΄ (World premiere) Amid the vast greenery of the Czech countryside, Pavel quietly tends to spring meadows damaged by deforestation, preserving rare plant species, while Klára, working with the Czech Ornithological Society, scours the land for illegal bait traps with the help of her loyal dogs, uncovering threats to local fauna. When she stumbles upon the poisoned body of a white-tailed eagle, a tense investigation unfolds, revealing the disturbing presence of a serial wildlife killer. As the search for answers deepens, Resilience evolves into an urgent, suspenseful inquiry, blending environmental documentary with the pulse of a crime thriller. The film challenges us to reflect on humanity's role in a world teetering on the brink, highlighting the profound fragility of nature and the dire consequences of our actions. ● The Secret of Me, Grace Hughes-Hallett, UK, 2025, 96΄ (European premiere) It's 1995 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During a feminist studies class, college student Kristi opens her textbook to discover something that turns her world upside down. For as long as she can remember, Kristi has felt different- now she knows why. Demanding her medical records, Kristi is finally confronted with the devastating truth: she has been lied to all her life by those she trusted the most. What follows is the unearthing of an extraordinary and disturbing secret that goes far beyond her own life, leading to the discovery of a psychology experiment on a pair of twins – once hailed as a revolutionary success but now revealed to be a terrible lie affecting thousands around the world. ● The Treasure Hunter, Giacomo Gex, UK-Philippines-Mexico, 2025, 84΄ (World premiere) Yamashita's Gold is a mythical, untold treasure, allegedly buried by the Japanese Army across the Philippine archipelago during World War II, with the prospect of retrieving it in the future. According to the legend, most of it remains concealed beneath the ground to this day. Treasure hunters from all over the world have tried to obtain it, including Jack and his father, who have dedicated their lives to this pursuit, spending millions of dollars in the process. The Treasure Hunter tells the agonizing and archetypal story of a treasure hunt, as if taken straight out of a (dark) fairytale. But it is much more: at the heart of the film pulsates the tragic nature of a son who strives to earn his father's affection, falling prey to one mistake after another akin to a hero from an ancient tragedy, only to end up with a bitter self-awareness. Visually stunning, masterfully edited, and the culmination of seven years of filming, The Treasure Hunter crafts the portrait of a memorable and agonizingly familiar character. >>Film Forward >>Film Forward competition section, hosting movies that challenge conventions and utter a bold and daring cinematic language, offers the audience the chance to watch ten films. The awards include the >>Film Forward Golden Alexander, featuring a 6,000-euro cash prize, and the >>Film Forward Silver Alexander, featuring a 3,000-euro cash prize. The Jury is composed of Nadja Argyropoulou, curator and art historian, Grant Keir, producer, and Anne Marie Kürstein, festival consultant. ● Death Plan for a Dog and a Man, Christos Karakepelis, Greece, 2024, 66΄ (World premiere) In lockdown hibernation, an outcast like an invulnerable superhero, plans an epic escape for himself and his dog; he wants to escape the deadliest virus: life itself. An adventurous death trip that will magically drive them both from their hovel to the wild mountains and up to New York, from suffocating reality to absolute freedom. ● NovaMax SkyLand, Dionysia Kopana, Greece, 2025, 78΄ (World premiere) Among Athenian balconies, fragmented images, sounds, and fleeting and incomplete stories emerge. The seasons change, the significant intertwines with the insignificant, and beauty and ugliness coexist. Weather phenomena, absurd circumstances, events, human gestures, and other fragments of life weave together the spectrum of an urban ecosystem. ● The One Who Hopes, Stratis Chatzielenoudas, Greece, 2025, 67΄ (World Premiere) In the twilight of a post-apocalyptic age, an intergalactic traveller seeks the sacred language of birds on the last remaining planet. With an artificial mind as her companion, she will learn that even in the stillness of silence, the desire to communicate endures, unyielding and eternal. ● Endless Cookie, Seth Scriver & Peter Scriver, Canada, 2025, 97΄ (European premiere) Exploring the complex bond between two half brothers — one Indigenous, one white — traveling from the present in isolated Shamattawa to bustling 1980s Toronto. Seth and Peter Scriver's endearing handcrafted animated hangout film sweetly careens through issues of race and identity, making observations about city and reservation life that spring geysers of giggles everywhere it treads. From trying to make a documentary with clean sound while raising nine kids and a bunch of dogs, to incredible grocery and game trapping adventures, the Scrivers spin love yarn around their community, and the Caribou who make the kids do things they never thought they would. Sharply observed and rooted in an Indigenous resistance to colonialism, Endless Cookie is a smart, fun-to-watch documentary that sits gentle in its own skin. Pete and Seth offer an oral history and a cosmic vision as they unravel their bittersweet testimonials of life under the Canadian sun. ● Erreplika, Pello Gutiérrez, Spain, 2024, 74΄ (International premiere) 'In 1979 the Virgin of Zikuñaga disappeared, leaving its inhabitants without her iconic image. A gap in the niche. A collective void. This is a film about gaps. My father, the filmmaker Juanmi Gutiérrez, passed away some years ago. Now, from a distance, I return to his films in an exercise of personal memory through the image, or rather, through its absence. 'Can the lack of an image be as strong as its presence? And in that case, what do we do with this emptiness?'' ● Meanwhile, Catherine Gund, USA, 2024, 89΄ (International premiere) Meanwhile is a docu-poem in six verses about artists breathing through chaos. Through a dynamic collaborative process, the artists' expressions are combined with historical and observational footage to unveil a rare cinematic meditation about identity, race, racism, and resistance as they shape our shared breath. Meanwhile is not just a film; it's a journey, a conversation, an experience not an education, reflecting the chaos of existence and the beauty found within it. Since its inception in 2020, this cinematic poem has been a communal effort to explore the complexities of truth and identity. Cinema—like identity—is entirely constructed, merely and astonishingly, a practice. ● Museum of the Night, Fermín Eloy Acosta, Argentina, 2025, 88΄ (World premiere) 1968, midnight. The Argentine artist Leandro Katz attends a performance by the Theatre of The Ridiculous in a New York pornographic cinema. The actors, exuberant, perform in drag, undress, and recite texts that blend high literature with queer slang. Fascinated by the experience, Katz decides to join the company as a collaborator. Between 1970 and 1976, he takes photographs, assists with lighting, and creates experimental works on film. However, he eventually leaves the company when the experience becomes too intense and his artistic work takes a different direction. Today, from his dimly lit apartment in Buenos Aires, Katz revisits his materials: images of the deceased, photographic records, slides, negatives, and works on film and video. He discovers an unfinished film believed to be lost. As the conversation and testimony unfold, attempting to approach those years, the specters of the past seep through. ● Seeds, Brittany Shyne, USA, 2025, 122΄ (International premiere) A deeper connection to tradition, a link to historical roots, and the seeds freely offered by the earth (including the very identity of its people) are only but a few of the invaluable gifts a farm can provide. In Seeds, one of the most breathtaking observational documentaries of recent years, the camera lens captures the ethereal essence of the concept of legacy. Through an intimate look at the life of an Afro-American family of farmers in the rural South, Brittany Shyne's exceptional directorial debut captures how these people bravely withstand systemic racism to maintain their hold on their land – and be maintained by it in return. Without neglecting to address the political dimensions of this issue (and by exposing the American government's responsibility for the increasingly dwindling landed property over the years), Shyne reveals a far-reaching directorial and aesthetic vision. A visually captivating film with an almost tangible sense of melancholy. ● Where Do You Call Home?, Ana Pérez-Quiroga, Portugal, 2025, 73΄ (World premiere) 'Where do you call home?' was the question faced by nearly 3,000 Spanish children exiled in the Soviet Union during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). This film tells the story of one of them, Angelita Perez, who lived in Russian boarding schools from ages 4 to 24 until completing her medical studies in Moscow. It is a tale of resilience, love, and identity, intertwining past and present, history and memory. It also explores the bond between a mother and daughter – the director and her mother – through shared songs and stories. Revisiting Angelita's journey is both a tribute to her strength and a declaration of love. ● Zodiac Killer Project, Charlie Shackleton, USA-UK, 2025, 92΄ (International premiere) The true crime genre's ubiquity is driven by people's endless fascination, disgust, and—bizarrely—search for comfort in genre conventions that still have the ability to generate complex emotions despite their predictability and familiarity. Having tried and failed to make a documentary about the infamous Zodiac Killer, filmmaker Charlie Shackleton walks the viewer through what his film would have been like and why, using Bay Area landscapes, reenactments, film and TV clips, and voice-over. In this wholly original, self-aware cinematic work, a filmmaker chews over what might have been and playfully probes the inner workings of a genre at saturation point. a captivating and entertaining experience that will forever change how you watch your next murder program. Best of Deadline The 25 Highest-Grossing Animated Films Of All Time At The Box Office Everything We Know About '1923' Season 2: Release Date, Cast & More A Full Timeline Of Blake Lively & Justin Baldoni's 'It Ends With Us' Feud In Court, Online & In The Media
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Coexistence, My Ass!,' ‘Free Leonard Peltier,' ‘GEN_' Among Competition Lineup at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (EXCLUSIVE)
Thessaloniki Intl. Documentary Festival has unveiled the International Competition lineup for its 27th edition, which runs March 6-16. The selection includes three films that had their world premieres at Sundance, 'Coexistence, My Ass!,' 'Free Leonard Peltier' and 'GEN_,' and one that debuts at Berlin, 'Under the Flags, the Sun.' The rest are world premieres. The top prize, the Golden Alexander, is accompanied by a cash prize of 12,000 euros, and the Silver Alexander is accompanied by a cash prize of 5,000 euros. The festival is an Oscar qualifying festival and the film that wins the Golden Alexander will automatically be eligible to submit for Academy Awards consideration in the Documentary Feature category. More from Variety 'Under the Flags, the Sun,' About Paraguay's 35-Year Dictatorship, Acquired by Cinephil Ahead of Berlinale Premiere (EXCLUSIVE) Alex Ross Perry Says Christopher Nolan's 'Miraculous' 'Dunkirk' Was Main Inspiration for 'Pavements,' Calls Out 'Unforgivable' Scripts Netflix Nearing $5 Million Deal for 'Perfect Neighbor,' Sundance Documentary About Florida's Stand Your Ground Law (EXCLUSIVE) Here's the lineup of the International Competition:'Bull's Heart,' Eva Stefani, Greece (world premiere)Why do we do what we do? This documentary offers an intimate portrait of renowned choreographer and visual artist Dimitris Papaioannou, exploring his creative process. It follows him behind the scenes and during the tour of his show, 'Transverse Orientation,' revealing an existential journey as he seeks meaning in a chaotic world. 'Sculpted Souls,' Stavros Psillakis, Greece (world premiere)Swiss dentist Julien Grivel for 26 years treating Hansenites (lepers) for free in Greece. An experience that helped him see the world and life differently. 'By adopting the language of the Greeks, I unconsciously adopted their thinking,' he says. His friendship with Manolis Fountoulakis (ex-Hansenite) was a catalyst. 'The Goals of August,' Dimitris Koutsiabasakos, Greece (world premiere)A kaleidoscope of events, incidents and moments from the everyday life of a village in southern Pindos mountains during an impromptu soccer tournament. The documentary's aim is to create, through observation, an 'impressionistic' portrait of a small community in summer. A portrait with light and shadows, charming and sometimes frightening, which despite its contradictions is, above all, unexpectedly alive and genuine. 'Child of Dust,' Weronika Mliczewska (world premiere)Sang is one of countless children left behind by American soldiers after the Vietnam War—unwanted, discriminated against, and scarred by a war that took more than just his father. When Sang unexpectedly finds his gravely ill father in the U.S., he becomes determined to meet him, even though it comes at a price. The only way to fulfil this need is to move to the U.S. permanently, leaving behind his beloved wife, daughter and grandson. In this foreign land, he struggles to find his place—not only in a society that sees him as an outsider but also within an American family that never knew of his existence. Cultural barriers collide as the past catches up with the present in the least expected ways. 'Coexistence, My Ass!,' Amber Fares, U.S.-France (international premiere)'Coexistence My Ass!' follows Israeli activist-comedian Noam Shuster Eliassi as she builds a comedy show by the same name. Shot over five tumultuous years, the film traces Noam's journey in tandem with the region's steady deterioration. Raised in a bilingual Israeli-Palestinian village — the only intentionally integrated community in the country — Noam grows disillusioned with traditional peace activism. She pivots to stand-up and quickly attracts attention across the Middle East. But as her star rises, everything around her falls apart. With biting, warm satire, Noam pushes her audiences to face difficult truths — and offers an inspiring model for the future. 'Free Leonard Peltier,' Jesse Short Bull and David France, U.S. (international premiere)Directed by Jesse Short Bull ('Lakota Nation vs. the United States') and David France ('How to Survive a Plague,' 'The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson,' and 'Welcome to Chechnya'), and produced by Bird Runningwater. Leonard Peltier, one of the surviving leaders of the American Indian Movement, has been in prison for 50 years following a contentious conviction. A new generation of Native American activists is committed to winning his freedom before he dies. 'GEN_,' Gianluca Matarrese, France-Italy-Switzerland (European premiere)At Milan's Niguarda Public Hospital, Dr. Maurizio Bini leads an inspiring and unconventional mission to transform lives through fertility and gender affirmation care. Balancing the dreams of aspiring parents with the journeys of individuals reconciling their gender identities, he creates a compassionate and empowering space where humor often lightens even the heaviest moments. In a politically charged environment that tests medical ethics, Dr. Bini defies societal constraints to offer hope, humanity, and healing, making a profound difference with both expertise and heart. 'Kick-Off,' Roser Corella and Stefano Obino, Germany (world premiere)In a small village in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, where conservative traditions confine women to domestic duties, Gazi challenges the status quo by organizing a women's soccer tournament. As she strives to empower the women and break social taboos, Gazi must navigate through cultural resistance, unveiling a story of resilience, and social change in this unique setting. 'Supernatural,' Bonaventura Durall, Spain-Belgium-France (world premiere)Mathu, a medical doctor, grew into the complete opposite of his father, Malby, a spiritual healer. When Anna, who believes Malby cured her anorexia, invites Mathu to meet him, Mathu confronts his strained relationship with his father and the divide between their beliefs: science versus magic. In 'Supernatural,' two opposing worldviews explore coexistence; sometimes conflicting, sometimes seeking common ground. 'Under the Flags, the Sun,' Juanjo Pereira, Paraguay-Argentina-U.S.-France-Germany (international premiere)In 1989, the fall of Alfredo Stroessner's 35-year dictatorship in Paraguay marked the end of one of the world's longest authoritarian regimes, but also the abandonment of the audiovisual archives that had cemented its power. This footage, crafted to shape a national identity and celebrate the regime, was left to fade from memory. Decades later, a trove of unseen and long forgotten footage has been recovered from Paraguay and abroad, revealing the hidden mechanisms of power behind Stroessner's rule. 'Under the Flags, the Sun' is a visual experience through the history of the media, an archeology of the present in a country where the descendants of the regime's leaders still rule. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
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10-02-2025
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Thessaloniki: ‘The Secret Of Me' From ‘Three Identical Strangers' Producer Grace Hughes-Hallett Among Titles Set For Newcomers Competition
EXCLUSIVE: Ten films including seven world premieres are set to screen as part of the Newcomers Competition at this year's Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival. Scroll down for the full list of projects. The competition features films over 50 minutes in length created by young filmmakers. The films compete for the Golden Alexander 'Dimitri Eipides' and the Silver Alexander Award. The Golden Alexander 'Dimitri Eipides' award comes with a €10,000 cash prize. The Silver Alexander Award is accompanied by a €4,000 cash prize. More from Deadline Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival Sets 2025 In Progress & Agora Boost Sidebars With Projects From Spain, Pakistan & Algeria Thessaloniki Hails 26th Edition Of Documentary Festival Which Overcame "Episodes Of Violence And Intolerance" 'My Stolen Planet' Wins Top Prize At Thessaloniki Int'l Documentary Festival; Controversial 'Stray Bodies' Earns Festival Recognition The features include Maia Lekow and Christopher King's How to Build a Library, which debuted at this year's Sundance Film Festival. The Kenyan-shot film follows two intrepid Nairobi women who decide to transform what used to be a whites-only library until 1958 into a vibrant cultural hub. Along the way, they must navigate local politics, raise millions for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya's colonial past. Grace Hughes-Hallett, producer of the BAFTA-nominated Three Identical Strangers, will also screen her debut feature The Secret of Me. The film follows nineteen-year-old Kristi discovers a secret her doctor and parents have kept from her all her life. The film's synopsis reads: It's 1995 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During a feminist studies class, college student Kristi opens her textbook to discover something that turns her world upside down. For as long as she can remember, Kristi has felt different– now she knows why. Demanding her medical records, Kristi is finally confronted with the devastating truth: she has been lied to all her life by those she trusted the most. What follows is the unearthing of an extraordinary and disturbing secret that goes far beyond her own life, leading to the discovery of a psychology experiment on a pair of twins – once hailed as a revolutionary success but now revealed to be a terrible lie affecting thousands around the world. Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival runs March 6 – 16 Newcomers Competition Lo, Thanassis Vassiliou, Greece-France, 2025, 70΄ (World Premiere) A year after the death of his mother, the director returns to his childhood apartment, burdened with debts and memories. Filming its emptiness, he uncovers silences: his estranged father's ties to the dictatorship and his fragmented history. As personal and collective traumas intertwine, he confronts the weight of inherited and unsolved past. Super Paradise, Steve Krikris, Greece-Germany, 2024, 87΄ (World Premiere) Over the past 50 years, Mykonos has experienced radical transformations — it was dirt cheap, today it is unaffordable; it was 'off-the-beaten-track,' now it is a top destination; it was a symbol of inclusivity, today it is one of exclusivity. How did a tiny island become a melting pot for such divergent experiences? Was it paradise? Is it still? Τhey Talk About Worship Here, Byron Kritzas, Greece, 2025, 88΄ (World Premiere) Poetic, dramatic, and witty, MTV kids hailing from Corfu, Kore. Ydro. were a rare force in the Greek indie pop/rock scene, inspiring both devotion and scorn. This documentary traces their journey, centering on the two core members and the significance of embracing one's uniqueness without shame. How to Build a Library, Maia Lekow & Christopher King, Kenya, 2025, 102΄ (International premiere) Two intrepid Nairobi women decide to transform what used to be a whites-only library until 1958 into a vibrant cultural hub. Along the way, they must navigate local politics, raise millions for the rebuild, and confront the lingering ghosts of Kenya's colonial past. Directors Maia Lekow and Christopher King capture the complicated work to restore a library and the deeper challenges of confronting colonial legacies. My Sunnyside, Matylda Kawka, Poland-USA, 2025, 92΄ (World premiere) True love can surprise you when you've already lost hope of finding a partner. Allie and Jo knew from the first moment that they would be together. The feeling gave them a strength they never anticipated. Jo, a trans man, is one of the leading figures in the New York start-up arena, a great speaker, mentor, activist. His partner Allie, a trans woman, is a biology lecturer beloved by her students. When they were in their twenties, coming from small religious communities, they didn't even know the word 'transgender'. Two decades later, their paths cross to create together the family they have always dreamed of and they both begin to transition. We meet them as they prepare for their wedding to the rhythm of family events and celebrations. We witness scenes from the life of an ordinary but unusual family from Sunnyside, Queens, New York. The process of finding their way in their new roles at work and in the community, brings tears as well as an unexpected sense of fulfilment. And just when things are finally starting to look up, Jo receives a devastating cancer diagnosis. Our heroes are faced with questions they didn't expect to come so early on. It turns out that this seemingly unconventional couple manage to create a surprisingly traditional family where everyone feels loved and supported. Queens of Joy, Olga Gibelinda, Ukraine-France-Czech Republic, 2025, 90΄ (World premiere) Three Ukrainian drag queens—Marlene, Monroe, and Aura—choose to remain in their war-torn country, fighting for LGBTQ+ inclusion amid Russia's invasion. Spanning from the 2014 Maidan Revolution to spring 2024, their story blends the glamour of drag with the brutality of war. Marlene, a beloved drag icon, hides a vulnerable side as Alexander, grappling with trauma and family obligations. Monroe, a popular influencer, navigates her evolving gender identity while advocating for LGBTQ+ rights. Aura, determined to fight for inclusion in both the military and society, balances the chaos of war with her love for drag. A charity drag show becomes a powerful moment of unity and resilience. The film is a story of self-discovery, love, hope, and the power to find joy even in the darkest of times. Pet Farm, Finn Walther & Martin A. Walther, Norway, 2024, 83΄ (International premiere) Joakim chases his childhood dream of breeding pet foxes, but external forces threaten to euthanize his beloved fox pack. Pet Farm is a story of loneliness, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human connections over bonds with animals. Resilience, Tomas Elsik, Czech Republic, 2025, 80΄ (World premiere) Pavel and Klara see the position of humankind in a larger context. Pavel has been taking care of spring meadows his whole life, cutting the grass with a scythe and helping preserve rare plant species on this planet. Klára hasn't come to terms with human ruthlessness and together with her dogs she hunts for deadly bait traps. The Secret of Me, Grace Hughes-Hallett, UK, 2025, 80΄ Nineteen-year-old Kristi discovers a secret her doctor and parents have kept from her all her life. Her search for truth uncovers a radical psychology experiment on a pair of identical twins that led to a global medical scandal. It's 1995 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. During a feminist studies class, college student Kristi opens her textbook to discover something that turns her world upside down. For as long as she can remember, Kristi has felt different– now she knows why. Demanding her medical records, Kristi is finally confronted with the devastating truth: she has been lied to all her life by those she trusted the most. What follows is the unearthing of an extraordinary and disturbing secret that goes far beyond her own life, leading to the discovery of a psychology experiment on a pair of twins – once hailed as a revolutionary success but now revealed to be a terrible lie affecting thousands around the world. The Treasure Hunter, Giacomo Gex, UK-Philippines-Mexico, 2025, 84΄ (World premiere) Yamashita's Gold is known today as a mythical war loot allegedly buried by the Japanese Imperial Army across the Philippine archipelago during World War II for future recovery. Legend has it that to this day most of it remains unrecovered. The story has lured treasure hunters from all around the world. Among them, Jack and his father have dedicated their lives and spent millions of dollars to find it. Shot over seven years, this is the story of a son trying to earn his father's love, trust and respect. A dark path that leads to obsession and unhealthy addiction threatening the livelihood of his wife, children and their entire family. Best of Deadline 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery 'The Apprentice' Oscar Nominees Sebastian Stan & Jeremy Strong On Why It's 'More Of A Horror Movie' With "Monstrous Egos"
