The Best of IDFA on Tour 2021 – 2022

The International Documentary Festival Amsterdam—IDFA—is the largest documentary festival in the world, and the 34th edition took place from 17 to 28 November. From the 300 documentaries that participated, a selection has been chosen for The Best of IDFA on Tour 2021/2022 program. As usual, we offer you this program with or without lunch. O, Collecting Eggs Despite the Times Netherlands | 2021 | Pim Zwier | 80 min. Winner of the IDFA Award for Best Directing in the Envision Competition This fascinating archival film focuses on oologist Max Schönwetter (1874-1961), a man who devoted his life to studying and collecting birds’ eggs. He collected 19,206 beautiful specimens, from small warblers to those of the ostrich-like rhea. Meanwhile, the world was moving towards WWII… Handbook Germany, Belarus | 2021 | Pavel Mozhar | 26 min. Winner of the IDFA Award for Best Short Documentary Those who protested against the re-election of Belarusian President Lukashenko in August 2020 were brutally dealt with. Their re-enacted testimonials form a distressing but accurate ‘instructional video’. LUNCH BREAK Where Are We Headed Belarus, Russia | 2021 | Ruslan Fedotow | 63 min. Winner of the IDFA Award for Best First Feature and the IDFA Award for Best Cinematography The imposing, theatrical metro corridors of Moscow form the backdrop for a continuous tragicomic performance. Small incidents and conversations provide a colourful picture of this underground mini-society. COFFEE BREAK Children of the Mist Vietnam | 2021 | Diem Ha Le | 92 min. Winner of the IDFA Award for Best Directing in the International Competition In the misty mountains of northern Vietnam, Di, a 12-year-old Hmong girl, struggles to grow up. Girls in Di's traditional culture sometimes marry as early as 14, but Di goes to school and learns that things can be done differently…