CPH:DOX 24

When Danish filmmakers and photo-journalists Kristoffer Juel Poulsen and Christian Als went to Mongolia to research Neo-Nazi gangs, they encountered the enigmatic Gerel Byamba who resented the creeping Chinese presence in her homeland. She also wanted to stop local women working as prostitutes and was prepared to use violence to achieve her ends. Poulsen tells BDE of her “fierce personality” but also of the fact the camera seemed drawn to her. She had a natural charisma, he says

In this joyful, inquisitive documentary, Danish filmmaker Max Kestner, triggered by the worldwide uproar caused by the euthanasia of a healthy but superfluous giraffe in a Danish zoo, embarks on an existential, mostly scientific quest to answer his biggest question: what is life? And, as a related problem, how can he feel less lonely now his children have left home?

When Marius the Danish giraffe was “euthanised” in 2014, there was global consternation. But in Max Kestner’s Life and Other Problems, which opens CPH:DOX 2024, the giraffe is just the starting point as Kestner spins off in multiple other directions, discussing everything from biology to physics to the emotional lives of plants and why some humans like impersonating wolves. The Danish director explains more to BDE.

On the eve of CPH:DOX, Artistic Director Niklas Engstrom is philosophical on the role that doc fests can play in a world that seems increasingly broken. “Today, more than ever, the role of film festivals is so important in terms of providing a space for difficult conversations - conversations between people who do not necessarily agree. [It’s about] what art can do, what films can and especially what documentary filmmaking can do because it is so focused on real life.”

In Malta, abortion is illegal, almost without exception. In Italy, a single woman cannot have IVF treatment, while only a small number of European countries allow for euthanasia or assisted suicide. So it is not surprising that Europe has seen a boom in cross-border “medical tourism” over recent years, a phenomenon that Greek director Elina Psykou examines in her feature doc Stray Bodies which world-premieres in Thessaloniki before its international premiere at CPH:DOX. Psykou talks to BDE.

Being designated as a ‘foreign agent’ can have a terrible impact on journalists and activists in contemporary Russia as Putin looks to curb any kind of criticism or agitation against his special military operations in Ukraine. The provocative documentary Of Caravan and the Dogs, which world-premieres at FIFDH, astutely documents the personal danger, and severe punishment meted out to, those wanting to take a stand and defend the truth.

CPH:DOX has revealed the line-up for the 2024 INTER:ACTIVE Exhibition, 'Who Do You Think You Are: The Body Re-examined', running March 13 - 24, 2024 at Kunsthal Charlottenborg and offering “a profound exploration into the evolving relationship between our bodies and immersive technologies.” Seventeen pieces, ranging from VR and mixed reality to AI chatbots, have been selected and will run for a new award for best immersive work.

84 world, 32 international and 9 European prems feature at CPH:DOX 2024, whose film programme is this year presented in cinemas across Copenhagen and 42 Danish municipalities. Artistic Director Niklas Engstrøm says: “In a world increasingly marked by polarization, we must be willing to challenge our own established truths and engage in meaningful dialogues with those holding different opinions and perspectives.” The 21st edition of CPH:DOX runs March 13-24.

The Copenhagen docfest revealed Feb 15 the films nominated across all six award categories. The selection features 66 films in competition, of which 47 are world premieres, 17 international premieres and 2 European premieres. For the second year row, all films in the main competition celebrate their world premieres in Copenhagen. CPH:DOX runs March 13-24.

The Copenhagen docfest also unveiled the first batch of confirmed decision makers and the new awards at CPH:INDUSTRY. The event will take place in Copenhagen from Monday to Thursday, March 18-21, 2024, with CPH:WIP and CHANGE presentations taking place on Monday March 18. The CPH:DOX festival runs March 13-24.