The first session of East Doc Series, from the Institute of Documentary Film in association with Baltic Sea Docs and Sunny Side of the Doc, has selected its five participating projects. The selected director-producer teams will take part in the first session at Baltic Sea Docs online market on 2 & 7-8 September 2020. This introductory session will include pre-scheduled individual meetings with producers, broadcasters from European television, representatives of funds, digital platforms, and VoD. East Doc Series also will offer consultations, lectures, and case studies on various aspects of docu-series.
Among the experts and tutors of the first session is internationally renowned speaker, writer and film theorist Fernanda Rossi, and Executive Producer, Director and Scriptwriter, Amanda Feldon.
Following this first session will take place in Prague, March 6 – 12, 2021, at East Doc Platform and the third will be held within Sunny Side of the Doc from June 21 – 24, 2021.
Selected Projects
Prophet of Doom
- Poland, Russia, Spain, Ireland
Directed by Nikolai Galitzine
Produced by Łukasz Długołęcki (NUR), Haukur Hrafnsson (NUR) and Andrew Revkin
Co-produced by Artem Vasiliev (METRAFILMS) and Asya Pavlovskaya (METRAFILMS)
On 31st March 1985, Vladimir Aleksandrov, a Soviet climatologist, vanished whilst on a trip to Spain. He had just come from attending an international peace mission to the Vatican. He had been imploring the world not to use their nuclear weapons, as a limited exchange could cause what he and his fellow climatologists called a Nuclear Winter. This would spell total extinction. But Vladimir’s open, honest, and exuberant nature led him towards great danger.
Slumbering Concrete (season 3) – Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia
Directed by Saša Ban
Produced by Dana Budisavljević (HULAHOP)
The series critically explores the fate of buildings that have lost their original purpose to protect the political system but have not lost their cultural and spatial significance. Can we stop our recent history to be completely wiped-out and take a critical look at the achievements of one whole generation? Can we remove the stigma of the ideological enemy from some of the greatest examples of our architectural legacy? And ultimately, by doing so, can we establish some continuity in our urban and cultural history?
Queen of Chess – Hungary, Germany
Directed by Bernadett Tuza-Ritter
Produced by László Józsa (Speak Easy Project), Gabor Harmi (Series Creator), and Peter Stern
Co-produced by Heino Deckert (Deckert Distribution GmbH)
Laszlo and Klara Polgar, the Hungarian teachers decided to raise geniuses in socialist Hungary as an experiment. When Judit, the youngest, challenges her all-time favorite master, Kasparov, the 16-year-old girl gains a draw. For the best player in the world, it is not an easy take from a girl. They keep on fighting until he invites her to his chess camp in Greece. In 2002, Judit Polgar defeated Garry Kasparov.
Tin Can Race – Bulgaria
Directed by Boris Missirkov and Georgi Bogdanov
Produced by Martichka Bozhilova (AGITPROP)
During the Cold War, the average family in the Eastern-bloc sooner or later had its long-awaited, much loved, polished and groomed socialist clumsy and a pain-to-drive car. And this was the only available option. On the other hand, the export of these cars was a national priority of the communist countries, so that many families in the West “enjoyed” a pure utilitarian and very affordable model of a Lada, Moskvich, Skoda, or Yugo. The socialist cars were meant to serve their owners and not to bring pleasure. Now it’s time to revive these old monsters and have all the joy they can provide.
Villages of Light – Estonia
Directed by Margit Lillak
Produced by Volia Chajkouskaya (Allfilm)
Two hosts – an open-minded couple Liina (Estonia) and Pierre (France), take a road trip to the European communities, to explore the possibilities of polyamory and sustainable living, and to experience life in different communities by taking part in the daily life, practices and rituals: liberating the Eros in a collective forum and transforming society into a more peaceful world (Tamera/Portugal), participating in Theurgic magical secret rituals, that change the vibration of Gaia, building interdimensional gates with guardians (Damanhur/Italy) and more.
