DACH Competition 5

Live and let live: it could all be that simple. But in practice, things usually look a lot different when people can’t agree on how everyone should live. Even the best intentions can give rise to conflicts. But there are ways to stand up against injustice.

Found&Lost – Director: Reza Rasouli · Austria · 17 min · Arabic (OmeU)

Tamim, a janitor at a club in Vienna, likes to take matters into his own hands. As a 70-year-old immigrant, he’s used to doing things that way from his past life. When he finds a wallet and attempts to return it to its owner in person, his good intentions put more than his integrity at risk.

Engine of love – Director: Mira-Belle Rose Bryld · Germany · 24 min · German (OmeU)

Asta is a young singer who is prone to eccentric behavior. She only sees her eight-year-old daughter on weekends. Sometimes she takes her to the bar where she sings and works. She wants to be a good mother, even though she’ll never live up to the expectations of her stuffy ex-partner and his new wife.

Ademi – Director: Zhamilya Sakhari · Germany · 19 min · Russian (OmeU)

Ali is a bisexual drag artist in Kazakhstan. Only when he’s on stage does he feel truly free. His conservative mother fears for his life in a society that’s hostile to queer people. At the same time, she wants to stand by her son. A relationship that’s characterized by both love and conflict.

Days of Crossing the Border – Director: Björn Grzemba · Germany · 14 min · German (OmeU)

East Germany, 1985. Under the constant threat of being found out and without being able to say goodbye to their families, Kathi and Ina, a young lesbian couple, plan to escape to the West. But there’s a problem: the car meant to smuggle them out has room for only one of them.

Joy – Director: Luis Schubert · Germany · 7 min · German (OmeU)

Aron is celebrating his 30th birthday at a karaoke bar. Shortly after midnight, as the party is in full swing and everyone is cheering him on, Joy walks in and takes the stage. In front of all the guests, she announces that Aron had raped her exactly one year prior.