Ten films to compete in Cyprus Film Days’ Glocal Images

Films return to the big screen next week as film lovers and industry professionals get ready for the 19th Cyprus Film Days International Festival 2021. Taking place at Rialto Theatre, Limassol and Zena Palace Theatre, Nicosia between April 16 and 24, this year’s programme of screenings in the Glocal Images international competition section has been announced.

Overall, ten films have been selected by the Artistic Committee, through an open call for film submissions, to compete in this year’s official international competition section.

Ballad for a Pierced Heart

In a small town in Greece, when amorous passion meets with greed for money, dead bodies start piling up and ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Olga will never know the horrors she has been spared.

Jumbo

Jeanne, a shy young woman works as a cleaner at an amusement park. Her mother wants her to meet a man, but Jeanne prefers tinkering in her bedroom with wires, light bulbs and spare parts, creating miniature versions of theme park rides. During her late-night shifts, she begins spending intimate time with the alluring new Tilt-A-Whirl ride that she decides to call Jumbo. Finding herself seduced by ‘his’ red lights, smooth chrome and oily hydraulics, Jeanne concludes that the thrilling new relationship she wants to pursue is with Jumbo.

Senior Citizen

Theoharis, an elderly and lonely man, takes refuge every evening in the hospital, spending the night on the benches and chairs of the outpatients department. One night he is discovered by young nurse Evgenia, who tries to learn more about him. Theoharis is initially sceptical and refuses to give her any information. Gradually, however, a relationship of trust between the two begins to build.

180° Rule

A school teacher from Tehran is preparing to attend a wedding in northern Iran. When her husband suddenly forbids her to go, she makes a choice that will place her on a painful path to atonement.

Between Heaven and Earth

A gripping drama follows the troubled relationship of a married couple. As they start with divorce procedures, a secret from the past resurfaces changing everything.

Sole

Ermanno and Lena are two strangers. Lena has come from Poland to sell her baby. Ermanno has to pretend to be the father so that he can entrust the newborn to his uncle Fabio. As Lena rejects her motherly desire, Ermanno starts to assume his role as if he was the actual father of Sole.

The Last Bath / O Último Banho

Josefina is a 40-year-old nun who is about to take her perpetual vows. She is called back to her childhood village to attend her father’s funeral when she meets her 15-year-old nephew who has been abandoned by his mother. Isolated, back in the old family house, the nun and her nephew feel disconcerted as religion, family, and love become entangled.

Identifying Features / Sin Señas Particulares

Miguel has just been deported from the US back to Mexico and is trying to make his way home, longing to see his mother again. Magdalena sets out on a quest for her missing son who disappeared while attempting to cross the border.

Winona

It appears as if it is an ordinary outing to a remote beach. Four young women and their sheepdog enjoy the warmth of the sun and the chill of the sea. They play and dance and sing. The day gives way to silly games and girlish banter. Laughter is punctuated by tears. The tears are washed away by make-believe. Until the day comes to a close and they begin to pack their things to leave. Unassumingly mysterious and deeply nostalgic, Winona holds on to its bittersweet secret till the very end.

The Man Who Sold His Skin / L’homme qui a vendu sa peau

Sam Ali, a young, sensitive and impulsive Syrian left his country for Lebanon to escape the war. To be able to travel to Europe and live with the love of his life, he accepts to have his back tattooed by one of by the World’s most sulphurous contemporary artists. Turning his own body into a prestigious piece of art, Sam will however come to realise that his decision might actually mean anything but freedom.

19th Cyprus Film Days International Festival 2021

April 16-24. Rialto Theatre in Limassol and Zena Palace Cinema in Nicosia. €3 per screening. Tickets are now available. www.cyprusfilmdays.com. Tel: 25-343907