All Around the World (AW)

Yet another unmissable section. To limit ourselves to the most extraordinary films made outside of Europe in the last fifteen months may seem to be very clearly specified criteria.

But one film in the selection constitutes a legendary exception. Personally, I am delighted that it managed to make it into the programme. The American film The Burning Plain was actually copyrighted in 2008. Its debuting director is the renowned Mexican writer Guillermo Arriaga, who as author and screenwriter set his seal on the world-famous hits of compatriot A. G. Iňarritua (Amores perros, 21 Grams, Babel).

The most films traditionally hail from the USA, and once again the section will feature some of the country’s most respected directors (Woody Allen, Joel and Ethan Coen and Todd Solondz). I’m also pleased that we will present the Slovak premiere of the global independent film scene's greatest recent discovery: the film Precious, freshly awarded with two Oscars.

And neither will this global panorama leave out brilliant pictures from Japan, the Philippines, Iran and Australia.

Peter Nágel, section coordinator

More information: press release