Le Lignon: a long building with two towers. Below it, the Rhone River and its forest, a habitat for many birds. Two microcosms that influence and inspire each other. From their windows, the inhabitants are watching the woods. What do they see?

The film shows the human need for closeness to the animals that surround us and the ambivalent relationship between humans and nature.

The iconic archive of renowned Belgian photographer Herman Selleslags lies hidden behind the walls of his majestic but run-down mansion. An overwhelming collection unravels the story of an extraordinary photographer who has managed to sketch an exciting musical and social era, spanning more than 70 years. The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Edith Piaf, film stars, artists, and sports heroes – all the big names shared intimate moments in front of his camera. While some made the front page, many of these unique pictures have never seen the light of day. Now they are all collecting dust, piled up to the ceilings.

The archive also includes the photographic heritage left by Herman’s father and the work by his son Jan. Thousands of prints conceal a complex, dual father-son relationship that has marked this family of photographers. Life Will Give You Pictures is a journey through Herman’s memories and thoughts. Wandering and rumbling from crunching floor to floor, life and work pass by. Behind the walls, melancholia, history, and the eternal struggle between fathers and sons come together.

The mansion is for sale. Will the collection be rescued from oblivion and find its way out of the house to be discovered by the world?

Liliana, a young indigenous Pasto woman, travels through her territory awakening memories.

In an encounter with the Elders and the sacred places deep in the Andes, she evokes and reconstructs the vivid statements of Juan Chiles, who 200 years ago summoned everyone to become like water, stone and foam. His voice still travels through the river to encounter the word of the Awá people.

In the depths of the jungle, memory flows like water and springs forth, revealing that the concept of “origin” inhabits and persists in every native people.

In Living Art, the rich tradition of pottery in Bengal’s Lakshikol Pal community stands on the edge of extinction. For generations, these artisans have shaped the earth into intricate, functional art, their craft deeply intertwined with cultural heritage. But with the rise of plastic and industrialisation, this ancient art form is being pushed aside, leaving its practitioners struggling to survive.

Through the lens of master potters like Jagannath Pal and Kanchan Rani Pal, Living Art explores the intimate connection between art, identity, and environmental sustainability. Their craft, born from soil, becomes a poignant metaphor for the environmental degradation caused by modern consumerism.

This film is a call to preserve not just a dying tradition but also the ecological balance that this craft nurtures. Living Art is a visually stunning documentary that transcends borders, urging viewers to reflect on the costs of cultural and environmental neglect.

In Mama Micra, the mother is a figure made of felt who recalls, in her own voice, her powerful urge to find freedom: “I was a real vagabond,” she explains. She travelled to Syria and Beirut and lived with nomads in the desert. During the last 10 years of her life, she lived in a Nissan Micra, washing in the morning in hotel bathrooms and sneaking into breakfast rooms to eat.

Her freedom came at a cost. She lost contact with her daughter, who counterpoints her mother’s account with her own recollections. But no harm is irreparable in this affectionate film.

Naima, a 46-year-old Venezuelan, has been struggling to survive in the low-wage sector in Switzerland for many years despite having a degree in marketing. Her two children are estranged from her and live with her ex-husband. When Naima is laid off again, she decides to fight for training at the employment office. Naima secures a training position as a nursing specialist. At the same time, her 17-year-old son moves in with her. Naima's wishes come true, but happiness is fragile.

In her first internship, she experiences the harsh reality of nursing. The patients appreciate her humorous empathy, but she seems to lack the necessary professional distance. Building closeness with her son is also not straightforward. When Naima fails in her internship, her world collapses. She is on the verge of falling into depression again, as she did when her marriage broke up. But this time, Naima seeks help. Her environment encourages her to appeal and Naima takes on her toughest fight: to stand up for herself.

This documentary delves into the life of a teacher, centenarian Nanda Prusty, who came to the limelight in 2021 after receiving Padmashri, India's prominent civilian award. He is renowned for operating one of India's last traditional open-air schools, Chatasali, giving free education to the poor. Transforming from an actor to a teacher, Prusty's narrative extends across three generations, marked by his unwavering commitment to selflessly serve his village on a profound spiritual path.

www.nandamasternkachatasali.in