Mel

At a dusty crossroads in the desert city of Niamey, Niger, a crippled beggar is sitting in his wheelchair. He is Philippe Koudjina, who was once a successful photographer. In 1960s during the euphoria that followed independence, young people danced the twist and rock ‘n’ roll. Koudjina took snapshots and made a good living. Now, his negatives are decaying in a rusty cabinet. These snapshots now have artistic value. In Paris and New York, large sums are paid for photography like this. There is hope for Koudjina as two French connoisseurs are now trying to launch his work on the art circuit.

Two-time Golden Calf winner Paul Cohen (Janine, 2010) takes a personal and cinematic journey through postwar Europe. Based on his Jewish father, Bram Cohen, his diary entries from the Japanese internment camp, and previously unseen archival material, Paul Cohen paints a picture of post-WWII Europe through his father's eyes. A poetic documentary about guilt, shame, forgiveness, and compassion, with universal significance.

A year-long profile of the Artemis String Quartet. Just before celebrating its 30-year anniversary, the Berlin based Artemis Quartet goes through one of its most turbulent years to date. When the last founding member, cellist Eckart Runge, decides to leave the quartet in 2018, with second violinist Anthea Kreston following his departure, the quartet is shaken to its core. They agree to stay together until the end of the season, giving the remaining members the chance to reconstruct the quartet once more. Will the shared love for music be strong enough for the Artemis Quartet to persevere? Filmmaker Hester Overmars portrays the quartet, its former and new members, throughout this extraordinary year, having full access to their rehearsals, life behind the scenes and international performances. From up close, the film observes how the quartet lives through their reconstruction.

Writer Anil Ramdas left the Netherlands in bewilderment with his self-chosen death in 2012. Even his closest friends didn't see his abrupt end coming. How did it come to this? This documentary explores his life, work and ideas.