Written by Julieta Gozalo
The Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (MNFF) will be held August 27-September 3 on mobile phones, laptops, iPads, and big screen televisions connected to Apple TV and Roku boxes.
“We are genuinely delighted to be offering a diverse and dynamic program of feature films at MNFF6: ONLINE,” said Lloyd Komesar, MNFF Producer. “And we are grateful to so many filmmakers for giving us the opportunity to screen their outstanding work at a challenging time when film festivals are searching for a way forward.”
MNFF also recently announced that legendary British filmmaker Ken Loach has been named as their 2020 Honoree for Sustained Excellence in Narrative Feature Filmmaking, celebrating Mr. Loach’s courage in making films that go beyond the surface to capture complex and unguarded moments of lived experience and social engagement. As part of its presentation of films at MNFF6: ONLINE, the Festival will screen two of Mr. Loach’s films, his most recent picture, Sorry We Missed You (2019), that tells the story of a British gig economy delivery driver who faces impossible complications to his work, and The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006) that stunningly depicts two brothers in conflict during the political struggles in Ireland in the 1920s.
Below are synopses of some of the feature films that will be available starting August 27:
Still from The Accused: Damned or Devoted?
The Accused: Damned or Devoted?
Documentary, Feature
Directed by Mohammed Naqvi, MNFF Returning Honoree
In Pakistan, the blasphemy law prescribes a compulsory death sentence for disrespect- ing The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and life imprisonment for desecrating the Holy Quran. The Accused, Damned or Devoted? follows the stories and fate of four people accused of blasphemy. The most famous of them is Asia Bibi, a Christian woman who claims she was falsely accused by her Muslim co-workers after a disagreement. As the world awaits the outcome of Asia Bibi’s trial, cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi Rizvi’s uses the draconian blasphemy law as a key element in his run for Prime Minister of Pakistan in the upcoming elections. Amidst the hysteria, those who oppose him and even his own followers become pawns in his ultimate quest for power.
August
Feature, Narrative
Directed by Armando Capo
Cuba, Summer 1994. In the midst of “período especial”, one of the greatest crises in the country’s history, thousands of Cuban rafters try to reach the United States illegally, never sure if they’ll make it there alive. With holidays starting, Carlos plunges into a carefree August, wandering around with his friends and falling in love for the first time. Little does he know about the country’s uncertain future, until one by one, neighbors and friends leave in search of a better life, friendships break apart and families split up. In this hot summer, Carlos’ world will turn upside down.
Desert One
Documentary, Feature
Directed by Barbara Kopple, MNFF Returning Honoree
In April 1980, the U.S. government launched Operation Eagle Claw, their response to the American hostage crisis that was happening in Iran at that time. Helmed by then-President Jimmy Carter, the Delta Force tried unsuccessfully to rescue the 52 hostages that were held captive in the U.S. Embassy and Iranian Foreign Ministry buildings in Tehran. Desert One powerfully explores the different aspects of the failed mission through interviews with the hostages, soldiers, commanders and President Carter him- self.
Finding Yingying
Documentary, Feature
Directed by Jiayan “Jenny” Shi
Yingying Zhang, a 26-year-old Chinese student, comes to the U.S. to study at the University of Illinois in Champaign. Within weeks of her arrival, Yingying disappears from the campus. Through exclusive access to Yingying’s family and boyfriend, Finding Yingying closely follows their journey as they search to unravel the mystery of her dis- appearance and seek justice for their daughter while navigating a strange, foreign coun- try. But most of all, Finding Yingying is the story of who Yingying was – a talented young woman loved by her family and friends.
“Our Middlebury New Filmmakers ‘Class of 2020’ will unfold, uniquely, online,” said MNFF Artistic Director Jay Craven. “We’re deeply sorry to miss our festive annual in-person event. But we promise a satisfying state-of-the art online viewing environment – and intimate and illuminating series of interviews with filmmakers and special guests. We hope you’ll join us.”
The full festival lineup, Festival Passes, Individual Tickets, and more are now available on MNFF’s website.
Still from the film August.