Coming at a moment of profound political and social crisis, WHAT IS DEMOCRACY? reflects on a word we often take for granted. This philosophical journey spans millennia and continents: from ancient Athens’ groundbreaking experiment in self-government, to modern-day Greece grappling with financial collapse, and a mounting refugee crisis to the United States reckoning with its racist past and the growing gap between rich and poor. This urgent film connects the past and the present, the emotional and the intellectual, the personal and the political, in order to provoke and inspire.

The first Kenyan film to screen at Cannes & banned in its home country, RAFIKI bursts onto the screen with fresh energy. “Good Kenyan girls become good Kenyan wives,” but Kena and Ziki long for something more. A tender tale of forbidden first love told in an electric, colorful Afropop style, RAFIKI tells the story of the touching, but illegal romance between Kena, a skateboarding tomboy, and Ziki, the charismatic daughter of a conservative local politician. When rumors begin to swirl about the nature of their relationship, the young lovers find themselves in great jeopardy.

Based on renowned reporter Ryszard Kapuściński's book of the same name, ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE tells the gripping story of Kapuściński's three-month trip to civil war torn Angola in 1975. An idealist, Kapuściński is a friend to lost causes and revolutions. Although he has been to many front lines before, Angola changes him forever. Through both animation and live action footage, ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE blurs the line between action thriller, biopic, and documentary while vividly capturing the chaos and insanity of the war and Kapuściński's experiences.

In this caustic look at contemporary Moroccan society—where premarital sex and giving birth out of wedlock remains a crime—20-year-old Sofia suffers from pregnancy denial. When she secretly gives birth at a local hospital, they give her 24 hours to provide the father’s papers before informing the authorities. Director Meryem Benm'Barek-Aloïsi uses the ensuing family drama to expose the hypocrisy intrinsic to Morocco’s patriarchal culture. SOFIA approaches #MeToo discussions from a more global perspective, adding layers to an already important and nuanced movement.

MY FRIEND THE POLISH GIRL borrows from cinema verite and video bloggers to create a rare naturalism in style and performance. Katie, a young, rich American, decides to make a documentary film about Alicja, an impulsive Polish actress living in London. During the making of the film, the interference of Katie in the life of her character proves to have serious consequences, both in their relationship and the film’s narrative. Set in a post-Brexit-vote London, Katie’s colonizing, disruptive presence in Alicja’s life mirrors the treatment of migrants in the UK: Welcomed, used, then discarded.

Tina is not an ordinary woman--both inside and out. With a bestial-looking face that provokes judgement from those around her and a mysterious scar on her tailbone, Tina has the ability to sense or smell how people feel. She is especially adept at detecting fear or unease, skills that make her an invaluable customs officer. When she catches a twitchy businessman carrying child pornography, law enforcement loops Tina and her unusual abilities into the investigation.

This event is part of the Serbian Movie Festival. Pizza and light refreshments will be served.

This film presents the story of four generations of Hungarian women in the 20th century--“loonies” who are led by the character of a mother who lived 94 years and moved 27 times in her life. Moving seems to have been her only way of confronting troubles, dangers, and conflicts. In reality, it was major historical events that chased her throughout Hungary and made her go through a terrible century. At the incredible age of 94, Mom tells the story of these events to her daughter, nearly 100 years of often mischievous and heart-warming but also sometimes painful episodes.

This film is about a young man recalling his grandfather, who during the days of the revolution became the leading political speaker in Uzbekistan even though he retained all three of his wives.

Running Time: 81 minutes

Introduction by Olia Kim, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Pittsburgh

This film is an exquisitely composed and photographed child-to-man tale of a Kyrgyz villager. Beshkempir is just like any other kid- playing in the mud, getting into trouble, experiencing the first pangs of sexuality- until a fight with his best friend leads to the revelation that he was adopted.

Running Time: 81 minutes

Introduction by Ellina Sattarova, Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, University of Pittsburgh