Cinéphiles #01 Gabriel Matzneff

O Ponto do Mel

In this short film, we follow the life cycle and transformation of sugarcane from harvesting, through the milling and boiling process, culminating in the production of the molasses stage. The film focuses on the historical character and community life in a rural area of ​​the high hinterland of Paraíba. It is a record of the knowledge of the workers at the Silva sugar mill through sound experiments and comedic interludes.

The Ornament of the World

Filmed in Cordoba, Granada, Seville, and Toledo, this documentary retraces the 800-year period in medieval Spain when Muslims, Christians, and Jews forged a common cultural identity that frequently transcended their religious differences, revealing what made this rare and fruitful collaboration possible, and what ultimately tore it apart.

New Life

"Bagong Buhay" is a short experimental film that dispels the common belief that packing up and moving to a new place will magically improve one's quality of life. The film challenges this presumption by portraying two contrasting ways of life through objects and locations, encouraging viewers to think critically about the complexities of what makes a better life. In the Philippines, it's believed that relocating to a new area will bring about positive changes in one's existence. True satisfaction is a complex and multifaceted notion, and "Bagong Buhay" encourages us to ponder that relocating to a new place is not a surefire way to attain it.

T'Day

Zombies: When the Dead Walk

Zombies are part of pop culture, but what are they? Where do they come from? To find real zombies we visit Haiti where Zombies are an integral part of the island's cultural and religious roots.

1997: The Birth of the Camera Phone

On June 11th, 1997, Philippe Kahn created the first camera phone solution to share pictures instantly on public networks. The impetus for this invention was the birth of Kahn's daughter, when he jerry-rigged a mobile phone with a digital camera and sent photos in real time. In 2016 Time Magazine included Kahn's first camera phone photo in their list of the 100 most influential photos of all time.

The Painter and the Thief

When two of artist Barbora Kysilkova’s most valuable paintings are stolen from a gallery at Frogner in Oslo, the police are able to find the thief after a few days, but the paintings are nowhere to be found. Barbora goes to the trial in hopes of finding clues, but instead she ends up asking the thief if she can paint a portrait of him. This will be the start of a very unusual friendship. Over three years, the cinematic documentary follows the incredible story of the artist looking for her stolen paintings, while at the same time turning the thief into art.

Från vinterviste till sommarfjäll

Documentary by Stig Wesslén, commenced in 1942 and ended seven years later. Here he shows human and animal, and follows the nomadic life in an old culture.

Allesandersplatz

Artists, urban planners and the city of Berlin trying to transform a former GDR ruin into a place for new visions and concepts of city - a place where everything is different than before?

The Procession of Damned Souls

Barisan Jiwa Doraka reveals the reality of bajidoran dancers within contemporary art by reinterpreting and reworking the male gaze as a critique of cultural norms and the roots of harassment that haunt artistic spaces. This documentary is an effort to preserve identity and resist objectification on stage by exposing the phenomena experienced by bajidoran dancers.

The Gorals - Highlanders of Carpathia

In the Carpathian mountains, a community of highlanders keep their ancient culture alive, from their style of dress to their craftsmanship.

For Better or For Worse?

The Philippines remains the only nation without legalized divorce. Through the perspectives of a controversial priest, a women's rights advocate, and a child of a separated couple, this documentary explores whether the legalization of divorce in the country would be for better or worse.

Una festa per la città - Venezia 1973

One Fire

ONE FIRE is a new documentary film exploring the mysteries of Theosophy, focusing on Helena Petrovna Blavatsky and her groundbreaking work, The Secret Doctrine. The film traces how Blavatsky's ideas challenged conventional thought and inspired generations of seekers. It also examines the hidden influence of Theosophy - often unknown to many - on modern thought, the arts, music, education, and politics. At the same time, ONE FIRE serves as a meditation on experiencing eternal truths through striking visuals and original music, inviting audiences to engage not only intellectually but also emotionally with Blavatsky's enduring legacy.

Wartburg - Power, Religion, Revolution

Wartburg Castle has towered majestically over the Thuringian Forest for almost a thousand years. The medieval building is a living testimony to Germany's complex history - and is a symbol of freedom, power and culture. This documentary explores its long and eventful history.