It Takes A Family is a family drama about secrets and repressed memories. Director, Susanne Kovacs, is the grandchild of Jewish Holocaust survivors and the daughter of a German mother and a Danish Jewish father. When Susanne is born, in the eyes of her grandparents she is a child of the enemy and a constant reminder of their tragic past. Years later, Susanne starts asking the difficult questions only to discover that the war never really ended in the tormented family; Somehow, the horrors of the past have always been present as a deafening yet unspoken trauma.
"In Susanne Kovács’s intimate dive into her family history, memory is a tempestuous mistress....this documentary turns into a historical excavation. Startling revelations reveal how violence can breed violence." - The Guardian
Every day teenagers who have fled their war-torn countries try to cross Europe’s borders in search of protection and a better life. They travel through a shadow world of minefields, bears, fast-flowing rivers, smugglers and border guards, desperately trying to win what they call ‘The Game’. Now that fences have gone up all over Europe, seeking asylum has become almost impossible. Reaching their final destination has become more difficult than ever. Risking their lives, the teenagers undertake a treacherous journey that often takes months or even years. Along the way, they grow up fast.
"illegal immigration is disconcertingly rebranded as a kind of Hunger/Squid Games-esque challenge by the teenage boys shown here trying to gatecrash Fortress Europe" - The Guardian
The vibration of machines echoes across the desert. Ever since Jordanian nomads settled in the spectacular landscape of Wadi Rum, they grew dependent on complex water infrastructure. The source is right below their feet, yet they struggle to meet basic needs.
In the meantime, deep water extraction feeds private large-scale farms, animates visionary development and secures growing urban population. Bedouins, farmers and city dwellers: they all expect to have a fair share, but digging for “blue gold” unleashes environmental time-bomb.
"With its imposing sandstone mountains, the magnificent desert of Wadi Rum in southern Jordan is no stranger to the movie world" - The Guardian
Four girls living in the lonely vastness of the USA share one passion: the wild world of rodeo. Although they move about in the powerful imagery of the American prairie and the myths of the Wild West, they give it new resonance and break free of it. In a world that used to belong to their fathers and brothers, they prove that “you ride like a girl” is not an insult but a compliment.
"terrifying thrills and spills" - The Guardian
Go behind-the-scenes with the new generation of Russian political protestors. Milena, Kolya and their fellow activists are in their early twenties, some are as young as sixteen. They all grew up during the presidency of Vladimir Putin and do not know any other leader.
Despite their parents’ fears, these young activists are ready to take big risks and fight for their ideals. The year before the Russian presidential election of 2018, the heroes of the film were inspired by the calls of Alexei Navalny and decided their mission was to convince Muscovites not to vote for Putin.
"Putin’s contempt and cynicism are on plain view, and it’s good to know there are people willing to resist" - The Guardian
