Looking for Déni
Director: Déni Pitsaev

Déni is trying to find himself. His soul-searching takes him on the traces of his childhood, in the snowy landscapes of Kazakhstan. In an apartment decorated with thick drapes, he encounters his Chechen family and his patriarchal culture. At the mosque, or in the boxing gym, he discovers the closeness of the men of his “clan”. They are all virile and settled in their lives. He is struggling to find his place.

The Distant Barking of Dogs
Director: Simon Lereng Wilmont

Ten-year-old Oleg lives in the eastern part of Ukraine — a warzone that often echoes with anti-aircraft fire and missile strikes. Sometimes these sounds are in the distance, while other times they’re frighteningly close. While many have already left this dangerous area, Oleg remains with his grandmother, who has taken care of him since the death of his mother. They have nowhere else to go. This film shows the effect of conflict on children.

Meet the filmmakers for Q&A at the screening.