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Sheffield DocFest · 2023

Sheffield DocFest 2023

Memories

Programme

8 films · 2 reviews

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Donyale Luna: Supermodel

Profile of the Black pioneer.

(Country: US, UK; Year: 2023; Director: Nailah Jefferson)

International premiere

Great Photo, Lovely Life

A photojournalist returns home to Pennsylvania to investigate the sexual abuse crimes committed by her grandfather. Her family’s archive unravels a world of secrets through interviews, photographs and home movies.

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Amanda Mustard, Rachel Beth Anderson; Writer: Amanda Mustard, Rachel Beth Anderson, Tyler H Walk, Josef Beeby; Stars: Amanda Mustard)

UK premiere

The Gullspång Miracle

Review preview for The Gullspång Miracle

Although the structure is offbeat, and the muscular scoring from Jonas Colstrup (The Square) emphasises the emotional rollercoaster, Fredriksson’s film remains empathetic to all concerned.

Amber Wilkinson · 4.5 out of 5
A pair of sisters' encounter with a woman who looks like their dead sibling proves to be just the start of a whale of a tale.

(Country: Sweden, Norway, Denmark; Year: 2023; Director: Maria Fredriksson)

Full review See: Maria Fredriksson on her roller coaster of a ride documentary The Gullspång Miracle

European premiere

Milisuthando

Set in past, present, and future South Africa — an invitation into a poetic, memory-driven exploration of love, intimacy, race, and belonging by the filmmaker, who grew up during apartheid but didn't know it was happening until it was over.

(Country: South Africa; Year: 2023; Director: Milisuthando Bongela)

UK premiere

Money, Freedom, A Story Of CFA Franc (L'argent, la liberté, une histoire du Franc CFA)

An account of a contentious currency, inherited from the French colonial system, which exposes the complex realities of economic imperialism in Africa.

(Country: France, Senegal, Belgium, Germany; Year: 2022; Director: Katy Lena Ndiaye)

UK premiere

Right To Fight

The story of three pioneering US sportswomen who, in the 1970s, attempted to break into competitive boxing.

(Country: UK; Year: 2023; Director: Georgina Cammalleri)

World premiere

Smoke Sauna Sisterhood

Review preview for Smoke Sauna Sisterhood

This is a place of cleansing, not just of the body but so much more as this non-intrusive but immersive film gradually reveals.

Amber Wilkinson · 4.5 out of 5
In the darkness of a smoke sauna, women share their innermost secrets and intimate experiences, washing off the shame trapped in their bodies and regaining their strength through a sense of communion.

(Country: Estonia, France, Iceland; Year: 2023; Director: Anna Hints)

Full review See: Anna Hints on building trust and the importance of the elements to Smoke Sauna Sisterhood

UK premiere

Time Bomb Y2K

Archive dive into the ‘millennium bug’ panic in the run up to the millennium.

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Marley McDonald, Brian Becker)

European premiere