IFFR 50 - Rotterdam Kicks Off!

From the desk of Ariel Baska

Yesterday, the 50th edition of the International Film Festival of Rotterdam kicked off with a screening of the much-anticipated new collaboration between Mads Mikkelsen and Anders Thomas Jensen, Riders of Justice.

In spite of the fact that this festival, like many others, is virtual this year, they are doing their best to give the festival experience through Daily Talks about the films premiering that day. Additionally, the festival has decided to make the Big Talk series, which features conversations with important actors and filmmakers, free and easily available around the world.

Below, you’ll find a few of the titles we’re looking out for. On the podcast, we’ll have interviews with filmmakers from around the world who are featured at IFFR 50, and loads of highlights for you, here on the blog!

Films We’re Looking Out For

Beginning

dir Dea Kulumbegashvili

This film is one of the most buzzed about debuts in the international community in a long time, and deservedly so. Currently streaming in the US on the service MUBI, it is the Georgian submission to the Oscars for International Film, as well as a major winner at the San Sebastian and Venice Film Festivals. Personally, I will be looking out for the list of nominees on February 3rd from the Golden Globes for this one.

Aristocrats

dir Sode Yukiko

Another auspicious debut, bound up in notions of class and gender, from a filmmaker whose shorts have earned top prizes at previous festivals.

Gritt

dir Itonje Søimer Guttormsen

Can’t wait to discuss this film, as it is another feature-length debut from a talented short-form filmmaker, about a woman whose life and self becomes more and more entangled with the performance art and theatrical ideas she longs to produce.

King Car

dir Renata Pinheiro

This is one of several Latin-American titles that look fascinating, but this one looks quite unlike anything we’ve ever seen in Brazilian cinema before. A conflict between a love of cars and a budding sense of environmentalism lay at the heart of this story.

Join us for more coverage of IFFR 50 ongoing throughout the month on Ride the Omnibus Podcast!