PIFF 2019
Films in the Spotlight
M
Directed by Anna Eriksson
Country: Finland
Starring: Anna Eriksson
M is a work of art that explores the relationship between sexuality and death. These two appear to be at opposite poles, but in fact they merge in all of us, disguising the fear of death or the desire to die, the world of Eros.
Night Walk
Directed by Aziz Tazi
Country: USA
Starring: Sean Stone, Mickey Rourke Eric Roberts
When an American atheist is wrongfully imprisoned by corrupt police for the murder of his Arab wife, his quest for justice turns into a spiritual journey lead by Muslim inmates, from the moderate convert to terror-linked fundamentalists.
Away from the Shore
Directed by Kostadin Bonev
Country: Bulgaria
Starring: Penko Gospodinov, Stefan Valdobrev, Yoana Bukovska-Davidova
A talented theater director has been expelled from the capital for two years and has been sent to a small provincial theater. He aims to stage a play about people who are under constant surveillance and living in fear of punishment. Gradually, the nightmares of the play begin to take over the reality.
Dark like the Night. Karenina-2019.
Directed by Radda Novikova
Country: Russia
Starring: Yuliya Peresild, Ingeborga Dapkunaite, Konstantin Khabenskiy
Writer Alexander Tsypkin together with director Radda Novikova re-imagine Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, changing the setting to modern Russia. Music by Boris Grebenschikov, founder of the cult rock group Aquarium.
Pangea
Directed by Derek Frey
Country: USA
Music video by Derek Frey with music by Professor T & the East Side Shredders. Witness the mechanisms of a massive supercontinental breakup within one man’s daydream around the world and through the ages.
Filmmakers and Actors in the Spotlight
Anna Eriksson
Country: Finland
Anna Eriksson is a Finnish filmmaker, singer, composer and actress. After graduating college she recorded her first album, which instantly became a huge success in Finland. She has recorded ten albums, writing and producing the last four of them herself. 2012 album MANA she received the Teosto prize, which is one of the biggest art prizes in the Nordic countries. In 2013 Anna put her musical career on hold and began working on her first feature film M. M premiered at 33rd Venice International Film Critics Week in 2018. Her film M will be presented at PIFF 2019.
Aziz Tazi
Country: Morocco, USA
Aziz Tazi is a Moroccan-American film director. In 2012 wrote, directed, produced heralded psychological thriller Imago. Aziz made the cover of Morocco's highly-acclaimed "Challenge" magazine and was voted "Top 50 Men of the Year 2013" by VH Magazine, next to prominent Moroccan politicians and businessmen. In 2016, he was also featured on Forbes Africa's "30 Under 30" as a leading change-maker under 30 years old. His film Night Walk will be presented at PIFF 2019.
Kostadin Bonev
Country: Bulgaria
Kostadin is member of IDA International Documentary Association and Union of Bulgarian Filmmakers. Graduated in National Academy of Theatre and Film Art, Sofia, Bulgaria. He has written and directed more than 20 films. His film Away from the Shore will be presented at PIFF 2019.
Radda Novikova
Country: Russia
Radda Novikova is a Russian film and television director, well known for directing series Interns and Cop. Her music video Dark like the Night. Karenina-2019 will be shown at PIFF 2019.
Derek Frey
Country: USA
Derek Frey is an American film director and producer. He has helmed Tim Burton Productions since 2001. In 2019 he produced Disney’s Dumbo, directed by Tim Burton. Derek has directed many award winning independent short films and music videos. His music video Pangea will be presented at PIFF 2019.