The First Look is a newly introduced section in the line-up of the Athens Avant Garde Film Festival and aims to research and discover emerging talents from around the globe that have caused quite a stir internationally with their boldness. It is a space for debut features varying from fiction to documentary with one thing in common: a uniquely personal story to share. Surreal heroes, doomed couples, lonely characters, sui generis geniuses of the art, family bonds, brutal murders, anthropological reflections, brotherly reconciliations, war impacts on communities and preteen friendships form the backbone of the selection. With influences from Kafka to Goethe this section explores new forms of narration and innovative filmic languages that push the boundaries of storytelling further. This year’s program comprises nine features, with the award-winning film gaining commercial release in art-house theatres in Greece.
Nina Veligradi