Film screening
TOTO AND HIS SISTERS
A special screening of Toto and His Sisters, the acclaimed documentary directed by Alexander Nanau, offers an intimate portrait of childhood, resilience, and the search for hope in contemporary Romania. The film follows three siblings growing up in a Bucharest housing project, capturing their everyday struggles and moments of unexpected tenderness with remarkable sensitivity. Toto and His Sisters premiered at several international festivals and received widespread critical acclaim for its deeply human perspective. The screening will be followed by a talk with Alexander Nanau, who will discuss the making of the film and the realities behind the story.
Film screening
COLLECTIVE
A case study of Collective, the gripping documentary that investigates the aftermath of the 2015 Colectiv nightclub fire in Bucharest and uncovers a vast healthcare corruption scandal. Through the work of investigative journalists and whistleblowers, the film reveals how systemic failures can cost lives. The film received international acclaim and was nominated for two Academy Awards. The screening will be followed by a talk with director Alexander Nanau.
Film screening
HEN
A screening of Hen, the latest film by acclaimed Hungarian director György Pálfi, tells the unusual story of a determined chicken who escapes from an industrial farm in search of a safe place to raise her chicks. Seen largely from the animal’s perspective, the film becomes a striking fable about survival and human cruelty, blending dark humor with social observation. The screening will be followed by a talk with director György Pálfi.
Film screening
HOW TO DIVORCE DURING THE WAR
A screening of How to Divorce During the War, directed by Andrius Blaževičius, offers a sharp and bittersweet look at relationships under extraordinary circumstances. Set against the backdrop of wartime Ukraine, the film follows a couple navigating the chaos of conflict while trying to untangle their failing marriage. Blending humor with poignant social observation, the film captures the absurdities and emotional tensions of life during war. The screening will be followed by a talk with director Andrius Blaževičius.
Film screening
BLACK HAWK DOWN
A screening of Black Hawk Down, directed by Ridley Scott, recounts the intense 1993 U.S. military mission in Mogadishu, Somalia, where soldiers were sent to capture a Somali warlord but became trapped in a deadly urban battle. Known for its visceral realism and immersive sound design, the film remains one of the most powerful modern war dramas. The screening will be followed by a talk with Academy Award–winning sound re-recording mixer Chris Munro, who worked on the film’s acclaimed sound design.
Film screening
LAST ROUTINE
A screening of Champion, a film about legendary Slovak figure skater Ondrej Nepela, revisits the 1973 World Figure Skating Championships in Bratislava: a major event for communist Czechoslovakia. Behind the image of a world champion lies the story of a young man struggling with pressure from the regime while dreaming of freedom beyond the “golden cage” of socialism. As the decisive competition approaches, Nepela must confront both political expectations and his own fears.
The screening will be followed by a talk with members of the film’s crew.