Perspective Film Festival - Breakthroughs in Cinema is back again with a line-up of critically acclaimed films from all over the world. For their 10th anniversary this year, the festival is offering an expanded programme of 11 films. The theme this year is 'rebel'.
Here are three films we recommend you catch:
1. Behemoth
Behemoth is Chinese independent filmmaker Zhao Liang's poetic observational documentary on the lives of coal miners in China as well as an environmental statement against China's rapid over-industrialisation. The film was nominated for the Golden Lion at Venice International Film Festival in 2015, where it won the SIGNIS Prize for its ability to "illuminate in a poetic way the consequences of over-industrialization to the detriment of humanity, especially the poor."
2. I Am Not A Witch
I Am Not A Witch is Zambian director Rungano Nyoni's debut feature film. It tells the story of of a small Zambian girl who is denounced as a witch and exiled to a witch camp, where she is alternately exploited and embraced. Borned in Zambia but was raised in Wales in the UK, Nyoni, who has an MA in screen acting, is a self-taught filmmaker. Her first short film The List won Best Film at the BAFTA Cymru. Her second short film, Mwansa the Great, was nominated for the BAFTA in 2012. Her third and fourth short films also travelled to international film festivals. Accepted for development at Cinefondation Residence at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013, I Am Not A Witch had a highly anticipated premiere at the Directors Fortnight at Cannes this year. Needless to say, Nyoni is a talent to watch.
3. City of Ghosts
City of Ghosts is a feature-length documentary by American filmmaker Matthew Heineman, who has previously directed the Sundance winner Cartel Land. The film, which premiered at Sundance and won Best Film at several reowned international film festivals, is a behind-the-scenes account of the nonviolent resistance effort mounted by a Syrian citizen-led journalist group who call themselves Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS). Raqqa is a city in Syria that was captured by ISIS in 2013. Since 2014, ISIS has been operating out of Raqqa as its capital. RBSS was set up to secretly record the atrocities and human rights abuses perpetuated by ISIS. City of Ghosts follow three members of the RBSS as they continue their dissident efforts whilst in exile in neighbouring Turkey and also when they attend international conferences and panel. Whilst it has its flaws, the film is an important piece of journalism on media and journalism. As one of the RBSS members said, "In my opinion, a camera is more powerful than a weapon.”