Compass of Memory

Compass of Memory

Berlinale Shorts Screening at the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation

Films and discussion - in English

The Berlinale has been present worldwide for many years with specially curated programmes. The Berlinale Spotlight extends the festival period and makes the Berlinale's activities visible throughout the year.

The next Berlinale Spotlight will take place at the Documentation Centre Flight, Expulsion, Reconciliation in Berlin and will present films from the 2018, 2021 and 2022 festival editions in two events.

The "Compass of Memory" programme will kick things off on 21 December. Two short feature films that premiered at Berlinale Shorts in 2018 and 2022 will be presented: Chhngai Dach Alai - Further and Further Away tells the story of a brother and sister whose indigenous home village in Cambodia was flooded due to the construction of a dam. The brother moves on to the big city, while the sister wants to stay to allow the souls of their dead parents to come to rest. Both have their own way of saying goodbye to the place that was their home.

In Imfura, a young man, Gisa, travels to his mother's village. He has never met her, she disappeared during the genocide in Rwanda. Gisa wants to understand and remember. He talks to those who remain and stands in the ruins of the house she left him. Imfura won a Silver Bear in 2018.

Directors Polen Ly from Cambodia and Samuel Ishimwe from Rwanda will be present for the subsequent Q&A. "From different perspectives, both films describe uprooting and the question of how one can find one's inner compass and place in a present that is shaped by a past over which one had no influence. I'm looking forward to the discussion with the directors and the audience," says Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck, moderator of the evening and head of Berlinale Shorts.

The event will be held in English and will be presented as part of the Short Film Day on 21 December 2023 - the shortest day of the year dedicated to short film throughout Germany. The event starts at 19:00. The following films will be shown:

Film infos:

IMFURA

Director: Samuel Ishimwe
Switzerland / Rwanda, 36', Berlinale Shorts 2018

CHHNGAI DACH ALAI (FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY)

Director: Polen Ly
Cambodia, 24', Berlinale Shorts 2022

Free admission.

The event is a cooperation between the Documentation Centre for Displacement, Expulsion, Reconciliation, the European Film Market and the Berlinale Film Festival. It will be presented as part of the Short Film Day on December 21, 2023 - the shortest day of the year, dedicated to presenting short films Germany-wide.