Exhibition: Political Textile

Thu, 25.04. – Mo, 29.04. / 3 – 10:30 pm

Murnau Filmtheater

Admission free.

The exhibition Political Textile by Ton Melnyk and Masha Ravlyk offers a number of textile works created using different techniques – sewing and applique from upcycled fabrics, embroidery and painting. It reflects on experiences of queer people from Ukraine facing the existential horror of the war. The exhibition consists of three works: Anti-war Textile Banners – Homage to Maria Prymachenko, made after the series of works dedicated to World War II by the 20th–century Ukrainian artist; Textile Book of Items From an Emergency Bag, which illustrates the process of collecting things to take with you when leaving home, probably forever; and Anti-war Embroidery made after a child’s drawing.   

 

OPENING CEREMONY (and Opening Film CROSSING)

07:00pm, Caligari FilmBühne

Get your tickets for the ceremony here and for the opening film here.

TALK: IN FOCUS – NON ALIGNED FILMS

2:30 pm, Museum Wiesbaden – Alte Bibliothek

Admission free.

Non-Aligned Films is a film production company based in Belgrade, founded in 2012 by producers and directors Stefan Ivančić, Ognjen Glavonić and Dragana Jovović. The idea behind Non-Aligned Films is to function as a platform for producing the films of an upcoming generation of filmmakers from the post-Yugoslav region. Known for their works in fiction, documentary and experimental formats, as well as feature and short films, including: DEPTH TWO (2016 / Berlinale Forum, goEast); THE LOAD (2018 / Festival de Cannes – Quinzaine des Réalisateurs); HAVE YOU SEEN THIS WOMAN? (2022 / Venice Film Festival – Critics’ Week), which is featured in the 2024 program of goEast.  

Exhibition opening and a conversation with Ton Melnyk and Masha Ravlyk /  RESEW SEWING COOPERATIVE

6:15 pm, Murnau Filmtheater

Admission free.

The exhibition Political Textile offers a number of textile works created using different techniques – sewing and applique from upcycled fabrics, embroidery and painting. It reflects on experiences of queer people from Ukraine facing the existential horror of the war. The exhibition consists of three works: Anti-war Textile Banners – Homage to Maria Prymachenko, made after the series of works dedicated to World War II by the 20th–century Ukrainian artist; Textile Book of Items From an Emergency Bag, which illustrates the process of collecting things to take with you when leaving home, probably forever; and Anti-war Embroidery made after a child’s drawing.  

LECTURE PERFORMANCE: LAYING EGGS AS ARTISTIC PRACTICE

7:45 pm, Murnau Filmtheater

Admission free.

Today’s world is torn apart by practices of othering based on skin colour, language, income and so on. But nothing divides humans more than different ideologies of reproduction and doctrines of gender and sexuality. In this situation, laying eggs is transformed from a mere bodily act into a controversial statement challenging public morality. What can it mean for us? Ruthia Jenrbekova and Maria Vilkovisky from krëlex zentre will try to answer this in their mini-lecture. 

PANEL: EMPOWERING VOICES – WOMEN PRODUCERS IN FILM

12:15 pm, Museum Wiesbaden – Alte Bibliothek

Admission free.

The panel “Empowering Voices: Women Producers in Film” celebrates the valuable contributions of women producers in shaping the cinematic landscape. From breaking barriers to amplifying diverse narratives, their work plays a vital role in fostering inclusivity and bringing change within the industry. In a talk, we explore their journeys, challenges and triumphs, and delve into the transformative power of women’s leadership in film production.  

SCHLACHTHOF PARTY: SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE, “FAЇNO” FOR GOEAST

11pm, Kulturzentrum Schlachthof

10 euro entrance.

“Faїno” is Ukrainian for “fine” or “beautiful” and promises the best musical fruits of 32 years of independence. Faїno brings Ukraine to Germany for your ears and legs, allowing compatriots to recharge their batteries and recharge their batteries together with locals. It is also an opportunity to show solidarity and support Ukraine, as the proceeds from the party will be donated to humanitarian aid organizations. For the goEast edition of “Faïno”, festival veteran DJ Janeck and the Kulturzentrum Schlachthof are cooperating with the Ukrainian Association Mainz.

PANEL: BEHIND CLOSED DOORS – IN WHICH CLOSET IS QUEER CINEMA HIDING?

12 pm, Museum Wiesbaden – Alte Bibliothek

Admission free.

Together with filmmakers, artists and authors Anne Gaschütz, Olga Dimitrijević, Hoda Taheri and Viktor Zahtila, the panel attempts to shed light on the hidden complexities of gender and sexuality within and beyond the post-Yugoslav framework. How do heritage and socio-political circumstances, history and present, influence the work of authors who try to challenge and advance debates on binary essentialism surrounding gender and sexual identity, expose its limitations and depict new roles and identities in film?  

 

RHINE, WINE AND RHYMEZ

2:30 pm, Wiesbaden-Biebrich, tickets are available here and on site.

Rhine navigation: there is hardly a more German phenomenon. While the Biebrich Palace, half-timbered houses, vineyards and castles of the Rheingau pass us by, the goEast boat’s loudspeakers do not emit the voice of a tour guide palavering about the sights, but rather poems in various Central and Eastern European languages. The actresses Ilinca Manolache (Romania), Dorka Gryllus (Hungary/Germany) and Mateja Meded (Yugoslavia/Germany) as well as filmmaker Mladen Đorđević (Serbia) will read in their respective native languages and engage in conversation with Wiesbaden-based author Alexander Pfeiffer. The poems will be translated into English.

After last year’s great success, goEast is once again organizing this excursion for the public and anyone interested in literature. After the readings, there will be an opportunity to relax with a glass of wine and talk to the filmmakers.

GOEAST PARTY

9:30 pm, Museum Wiesbaden

Dancing in the museum? Thanks to house DJ Janeck and this year’s sponsors, the goEast party is also possible in 2024! On Saturday evening, film guests and the audience will shake a leg together in the festival center to international disco beats from the 1970s and 80s.

PANEL: SEXUALIZED VIOLENCE AS A MEANS OF WARFARE – CINEMATIC REPRESENTATIONS AND COPING STRATEGIES

1:30 pm, Museum Wiesbaden

Admission free.

The permanent International Criminal Court has classified rape during wartime as a crime against humanity and a war crime. Witness testimony from women who summoned the courage to speak publicly about their experiences of violence played a decisive role in bringing about this development. Filmmakers contributed to this milestone as well. goEast’s 2024 program features two films that approach this topic from different angles – while Kumjana Novakova proceeds forensically in SILENCE OF REASON (North Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina 2023), bringing witness testimony to the foreground, in BIGGER THAN TRAUMA (Croatia 2022) Vedrana Pribačić and Mirta Puhlovski accompany a group of women processing their trauma over 20 years after war’s end by engaging in a complex therapeutic program. In the scope of the panel, the filmmakers will speak about their experiences and provide insight into their working methods.  

 

PANEL: HUMAN RIGHTS AND FILM DISTRIBUTION, OUTREACH AND IMPACT

5pm, Museum Wiesbaden

Can films change the world? Do so-called “outreach campaigns” always make sense? In the scope of the East-West Talent Lab and Human Rights Sunday, a panel discussion is taking place once again, featuring experts from the international film industry. This time, the participants will be taking a close look at the distribution phase following a film’s completion: including festival strategies, outreach and sales. How can filmmakers reach their audience successfully and get their message across? 

East-West Talent Lab Public Pitch

10:00, Museum Wiesbaden

Admission free.

The participants in the East-West Talent Lab present their project ideas with a non-fiction or documentary focus to a three-member expert jury as well as a live audience. The young talents hail from Central and Eastern Europe. Each pitch takes up to five minutes, followed by immediate feedback and questions from the expert jury.

PANEL DISCUSSION: FUTURE PERSPECTIVES FOR FILM PRODUCTION AND FILM HERITAGE IN KOSOVO AND ALBANIA 

2pm, Museum Wiesbaden

Admission free.

Albania possesses a state-sponsored national film archive, while Kosovo is currently in the process of establishing an archive. In addition, a significant portion of Kosovar film heritage is located in Serbia, whose government refuses to recognise Kosovo’s sovereignty. The situation is also different between the two countries when it comes to film funding: while Albania has access to European funding programs such as Eurimages and Creative Europe, this is not the case for Kosovo. What does this mean for production and archival efforts and what are the perspectives for the future? We will be discussing this and more with experts from both countries.