Brainwashed: SexCamera-Power

INFO: Wed 1 Mar / Light House 2 / 16:00 / 105 mins

DIRECTOR: Nina Menkes

WRITER: Nina Menkes

CAST: Rhiannon Aarons, Kathleen Antonia, Rosanna Arquette

COUNTRY: USA

Documentary filmmaker Nina Menkes examines a fascinating topic - that of the male gaze in cinema - in her latest feature. Examining the work of filmmakers from the late 1800s to the present day, she challenges that sexist shot design contributes to an environment of sexual harassment and assault, as well as employment discrimination towards women in the screen and other industries. Screen International described the film as: “A real no-bullshit breath of fresh air. With a torch”.

Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy

INFO: Thurs 2 Mar / Light House 1 / 13:00 / 101 min

DIRECTOR: Nancy Buirski

WRITER: Nancy Buirski

CAST: Bob Balaban, Edmund White, Jon Voight

COUNTRY: USA

Documentarian Nancy Buirski delves into the 1969 beloved classic Midnight Cowboy, directed by John Schlesinger and starring Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight. As their trailblazing exploration of male friendship marks a definitive shift in Hollywood filmmaking, Buirski examines the transition, what allowed it to happen, and why the unconventional film has had such a lasting impact. Featuring contributions from many involved, this is a deep dive into the magic of movie-making, a must for cinephiles and fans.

In the 1950s, at the height of the Algerian Liberation War against France, the President of former Yugoslavia, Josip Tito, sent his favourite cameraman Stevan Labudović to document the war by embedding with Algeria's National Liberation Army.

Serbian filmmaker Mila Turajlić’s extraordinary documentary reexamines Labudović's work and legacy, using his footage and diaries to highlight the differences in how France and Algeria portrayed the war. The results are a stark portrayal of propaganda and colonialism.

The March on Rome

INFO: Fri 24 Feb / Light House 2 / 20:40 / 98 mins

DIRECTOR: Mark Cousins

WRITER: Mark Cousins & Tony Saccucci

CAST: Alba Rohrwacher

COUNTRY: Italy

The rise of fascism in Italy and its unprecedented fallout across Europe in the 1930s is the subject matter of Mark Cousins’ latest documentary. In part an essay film, in part a historical account of extraordinary times, the film uses rich detail in examining Benito Mussolini’s march on the Italian capital 100 years ago. It does so through a lens of the contemporary political climate, reminding us of the real dangers of history repeating itself.

My Imaginary Country

INFO: Fri 3 Mar / Light House 2 / 18:30 / 83 mins

DIRECTOR: Patricio Guzmán

WRITER: Patricio Guzmán

COUNTRY: Chile

It was an uprising that 80-year-old documentarian Patricio Guzmán had been waiting for his entire life. When a million and a half people took to the streets of Chile’s capital seeking justice under Pinochet’s oppressive regime, he felt a sense of hope. Guzmán’s intimate and very personal documentary recounts his own history of demanding a better way of life. Using powerful imagery, footage and photography, it is a testament to the power of protest.

Suitable for 12 years or over.

INFO: Sun 26 Feb / Light House 1 / 17:40 / 98 mins

DIRECTOR: Ciaran Creagh

WRITER: Ciaran Creagh

CAST: Eileen Walsh, Ian Beattie, Zara Devlin

COUNTRY: Ireland

Barber

INFO: Sun 26 Feb / Light House 1 / 20:30 / 102 mins

DIRECTOR: Fintan Connelly

WRITER: Fintan Connelly & Fiona Bergin

CAST: Aiden Gillen, Gary Lydon, Aishling Kearns

COUNTRY: Ireland

Based on the true story that shocked Ireland and the world, Ciaran Creagh’s drama is set over the course of one day in 15-year-old Ann Lovett’s life. It’s 1984, and realising that she is about to give birth, the teenager (Zara Devlin) goes to the grotto of her local church. Frightened and alone, Creagh’s film shines a light on the tragedy of a young woman whose story invoked impassioned calls for change.

*DIRECTOR IN ATTENDANCE

Private investigator Val Barber is hired by a wealthy widow to track down her missing granddaughter in director Fintan Connolly’s Dublin-set drama. His initial investigations unlock key secrets about the disappearance, putting him firmly on the radar of some powerful and shady people. Has he taken on more than he could have ever envisaged? Connolly has assembled an impressive cast including Aidan Gillen, Gary Lydon and Aishling Kearns for the film, told in the film noir style.