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Sheffield DocFest · 2023

Sheffield DocFest 2023

Rebellions

Programme

9 films · 4 reviews

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20 Days In Mariupol

Review preview for 20 Days In Mariupol

Oscar shortlisted for Best International Feature and Best Documentary, this is an intense film with little respite even when no bullets are being fired.

Amber Wilkinson · 4.5 out of 5
As the Russian invasion begins, a team of Ukrainian journalists trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting the war’s atrocities.

(Country: Ukraine; Year: 2023; Director: Mstyslav Chernov)

Full review

UK premiere

Bad Press

When the Muscogee Nation suddenly begins censoring its free press, a rogue reporter fights to expose her government's corruption in a historic battle that will have ramifications for all of Indian country.

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Rebecca Landsberry-Baker, Joe Peeler)

UK premiere

Beyond Utopia

Review preview for Beyond Utopia

Beyond being nailbiting - a feeling driven by Hyun Seok Kim’s ‘heartbeat’ score that quickens our own - Gavin’s film is also an eye-opener.

Amber Wilkinson · 5 out of 5
Charting the journey and experiences of North Korean defectors.

(Country: US; Year: 2023; Director: Madeleine Gavin)

Full review

UK premiere

Breaking Social

Consideration of the concept of the social contract as a tool for abusive capitalism.

(Country: Sweden; Year: 2023; Director: Fredrik Gertten)

UK premiere

On The Line: The Richard Williams Story

Review preview for On The Line: The Richard Williams Story

Something is most certainly gained from the presence of Richard himself, who has a vulnerability about him that you might not expect from a man who refused to be cowed by a largely middle-class, white establishment that stood in the way of his girls’ rise to fame.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
This film follows the outspoken patriarch of the Williams family who beat impossible odds to help daughters Venus and Serena become two of the greatest athletes of our time.

(Country: US; Year: 2022; Director: Stuart McClave; Stars: Richard Williams)

Full review

UK premiere

Total Trust

Documentary consideration of surveillance in China.

(Country: Germany, Netherlands; Year: 2023; Director: Jialing Zhang)

UK premiere

Twice Colonized

Renowned Inuit lawyer Aaju Peter has long fought for the rights of her people. When her son suddenly dies, Aaju embarks on a journey to reclaim her language and culture after a lifetime of whitewashing and forced assimilation. But can she both change the world and mend her own wounds?

(Country: Greenland, Denmark, Canada; Year: 2023; Director: Lin Alluna)

UK premiere

Under The Sky Of Damascus

Experiencing violence is commonplace for Syrian women but they do not discuss the prevalence of – often sexual – exploitation for fear of revenge. A collective of young women want to break the taboo with a theatre project. But how free are they themselves?

(Country: Germany, Denmark, US, Syria; Year: 2023; Director: Heba Khaled, Talal Derki, Ali Wajeeh)

UK premiere

While We Watched

Review preview for While We Watched

In addition to attacks from the outside, Shukla shows the erosion from within.

Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
A turbulent newsroom drama which intimately chronicles the working days of broadcast journalist Ravish Kumar as he navigates a spiralling world of truth and disinformation.

(Country: UK; Year: 2022; Director: Vinay Shukla; Writer: Reshma Ramachandran, Amaan Shaikh, Vinay Shukla; Stars: Ravish Kumar)

Full review

UK premiere