The cinema, the cinema theatre, is a world of its own, a suspended universe where alternative realities come to life, one journeys uncumbered by space and time, often towards worlds similar to our own, many other times towards distant and unimaginable galaxies (or only imaginable due to their cinematic presence), towards heavenly or dystopian destinations.

Worlds within endless worlds but – here comes the paradox! – cinema is a space that is extremely intimate, extremely human. Because it contains exciting tales of possible lives. Because it welcomes the humanity of a group of spectators who have decided to share a viewing experience, to become one in front of the big screen, bringing with them to a single place the passions, frustrations and desires of their individual existences. Because the cinema is a mirror reflecting the author’s vision, and their cultural, social, and political milieu.

Cinema is always topical, precisely because it brings realities to life, makes them concrete. Cinema is topical, even from works from one hundred years ago. Cinema is a magic box of exchange and sharing, a collector of fictional stories and lived lives, always in the process of becoming.

Speaking of cinema, here are three films (in the presence of the filmmakers) from the festival programme that are worth noting down, in the ‘Documents and Documentaries‘ section:

• CINÉMA LAÏKA (Finland-France/2023) by Veljko Vidak
  The world premiere of a great little documentary. The director follows the extraordinary story of the construction of the Cinéma Laika, the first cinema in Karkkila, a small town north of Helsinki. At the head of the ambitious undertaking is Aki Kaurismäki, supported by a small team of local workers. In the background, the wonder of the locals.

  Saturday 24th June, 2.45 pm, Auditorium DAMSLab – Book here/Buy ticket

• SCALA!!! Or, the incredibly strange rise and fall of the world’s wildest cinema and how it influenced a mixed-up generation of weirdos and misfits (GB/2023) by Ali Catterall and Jane Giles
  The story of Scala, the legendary London cinema, active from 1978 to 1993. Archive footage, eye-popping movie clips and the testimonies of the Scala’s audience members who went on to become famous filmmakers, musicians, writers, artists, actors and activists, combine in this universal shout-out to the power of cinemas to inspire impressionable young minds and create a sense of community among outsiders. “The Scala had magic; it was like joining a club, a very secret club like a biker gang or something. It’s like they were a country club for criminals and lunatics and people that were high. Which is a good way to see movies” (John Waters).

  Sunday 25th June, 3.00 pm, Auditorium DAMSLab – Book here/Buy ticket

• À LA CHALEUR DES ANNÉES FROIDES (France/2022) by Darius Kaufmann and Eytan Jan
  The discovery of a heterogeneous collection of Cuban film posters that belonged to his grandparents, “young French socialists eager to contribute to the construction of a revolutionary society in Cuba”, is the motivation behind this film. Actress Mirta Ibarra opens the doors of a cinema in Havana, a magical place where the vital role of the seventh art in the history of the revolution re-emerges.

  Monday 26th June, 3.00 pm, Auditorium DAMSLab – Book here/Buy ticket