IAC logo
Film and Video Institute

The world of non-commercial film and A-V


 

UNICA INTERNATIONAL NON-PROFESSIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (St Petersburg 2015)      
Set of 3 DVDs

Every year the UNICA Festival donates a compilation programme of major entries to the IAC Library. It is free with only postal charges to pay. Booking is from John Bartlett, videolibrary@theiac.org.uk (quoting reference no. 156). This year there are three DVDs in the collection each with more than can be shown in a Club evening. I hope the following brief reviews will help your choice. I have not referred to which film is on which disc since you will probably prefer to select between discs. For convenience, I have given the English titles. Unless stated, there are English subtitles.

GOLD AWARD WINNERS

1. Still from the film.SILENCES
Jesus Mendez Cestero, (Spain)

An interesting idea demanding silent but expressive acting as we understand the story through what a mother hears rather than what she says.

Fiction
10 mins

2. THE SPIDER
Fares Ben Khalifa, (Tunisia)

No English subtitles. A cinema projectionist acts strangely while a film plays in the background.

Fiction
10 mins

3. Still from the film.LUC’S LIFE
Daniel Vito Caracci (France)

Luke, is disabled and speaks frankly about his difficulties and achievements, disappointments and hopes.

Documentary
9 mins

4. Still from the film.CARP
Aleksandr Magnetskia, Badirbek Taginov, Anton Zhabin (Russia)

A dialogue free, visually surrealist, strangely intriguing story of a man contemplating a fish for supper.

Fiction
8 mins

5. Still from the film.YOU KEEP AN EYE ON US
Arkadiusz Bledrzycki (Poland)

Based on a true story this slowly revealing plot portrays two people hiding away from their family and the world as armed police close in.

Fiction
25 mins


SILVER AWARD WINNERS

1. Still from the film.IVAN’S DAY
Ivan Pavljutskov, (Estonia)

A young Russian goes to meet his Estonia girlfriend’s parents for the first time but gets a mixed reception.

Fiction
30 mins

2. Still from the film.SUNDAY LUNCH
Dorottya Zurbo, (Hungary)

An observational documentary about the relationship between a mother in a homeless shelter and her 15 year old son. The two were separated four years ago when he was taken into care.

Documentary
21 mins

3. Still from the film.GRIMM CAFÉ
Marton Szirmal, (Hungary)

According to Grimm’s Fairy Tales they all lived happily ever after. In this subtly painted animation we meet Little Red Riding Hood and others in old age to find out.

Animation
9 mins

4. Still from the film.COPY THAT
Kingsley Hoskins, (Great Britain)

A brilliantly original idea, well scripted and superbly acted. The winner of the Daily Mail Trophy in BIAFF 2015

Fiction
13 min

5. Still from the film.DAZZLING SHADOW
DoJun Yoo (Korea)

A gentle, well told tale of interlinked contact between strangers.

Fiction
10 mins

6. Still from the film.THE WAREHOUSE
Kurt Veighe (Belgium)

Memories of childhood games lead to a tense situation.

Fiction
14 mins

7. Still from the film.HOMEBREAKER
Marko Pekkanen, (Finland)

A well photographed tale about a boy trying to deal with the tensions within his family. An intriguing end.

Fiction
19 mins

8. Still from the film.FOREVERHAMEVER
Ruth Diaz (Spain)

A beautifully told tale of long term love and friendship. Just hours before her wedding Ruth has doubts and the only one she can confide in is the boy she played with as a child.

Fiction
24 mins

9. Still from the film.WHY ARE THE SEATS SO FAR APART AT HEV STATION?
Aron Ferenczik (Hungary)

An amusing, original and highly imaginative exploration of why railway station seats are so far apart.

Fiction
10 mins

10. Still from the film.TRANSIT OF VENUS
Zsanett Milojev (Hungary)

Astrology claims the alignment Venus and the Sun will bring about important meetings. Will this be true for the lonely female taxi driver in Budapest? A slow but intriguing development of character and implied backstories.

Fiction
14 mins

11. Still from the film.THE BIKE
Giorgio B.Borgazzi (Italy)

A well told parable from the near future? Italy is in economic crisis. A man on his way to work breaks the chain on his bike and is approached by an immigrant that he can’t understand.

Fiction
9 mins

12. Still from the film.THE CONFIDENT
Jean-Marc Lonfils (Belgium)

Astrology claims the alignment Venus and the Sun will bring about important meetings. Will this be true for the lonely female taxi driver in Budapest? A slow but intriguing development of character and implied backstories.

Fiction
16 mins

13. Still from the film.OTHERWISE
Cedric Studer (France)

A surreal comedy about what may happen when you wake with a strange knee injury.

Fiction
14 mins

14. Still from the film.THE AMAZING SON OF THE FAMILY MARTIN
Gaetan Selle (France)

French dialogue. No English subtitles. An amusing tale if you understand a little French. Mr.and Mrs Martin live in a material happiness but their designer child doesn’t live up to their expectations.

Fiction
11 mins

15. Still from the film.THE MYSTERIOUS PEGNITZ WETLANDS
George Bock (Germany)

An amusing, original and highly imaginative exploration of why railway station seats are so far apart.

Documentary
17 mins


WORLD MINUTE MOVIE CUP - TOP FOUR

The UNICA Compilation also includes the final four winners in the One Minute Cup. I will say nothing except to wish you enjoyable viewing. The final winner was Hatred.
1 HATRED
Jose Biblan (Netherlands)
Fiction
1 min
2. RENAULT 4 EVER
Jean-Marc Chateau-Camera Club Dauphinois (France)
Fiction
1 min
3. A BEAUTIFUL EVENING
Frank Melchert (Germany)
Fiction
1 min
4. THE GREAT MARQUESS
Dorothy Borrie (Great Britain)
Fiction
1 min

DVD

Price postage only.