We are all extraordinary in our unique ways, regardless of our abilities or disabilities. The Extraordinary Film Festival (TEFF) celebrates this diversity and promotes inclusivity, breaking down cultural barriers. Life can be both beautiful and challenging, and it’s in our shared humanity that we find strength and resilience.

This edition of the festival program includes three Polish films – „The Dress”, „Dzieci i ryby”, „Pisklaki”.

The Dress (PL: Sukienka)
2020, directed by Tadeusz Łysiak

A woman with limited hopes toils in a rundown motel in rural Poland, as a maid. Will the repeated visits of an interesting man, a truck driver, change the loneliness of her situation?

The film will be presented as part of the „Fiction Chocs”  short film review.

„Fiction Chocs”

Bold, edgy, provocative, darkly humorous, unsettling, unrestrained, and even daringly politically incorrect – these are the attributes that define each of the short films featured in this session. By fearlessly delving into the theme of disability, these films bring this subject to the forefront of the conversation. They place it on an equal footing at the heart of the agora, addressing issues ranging from the vulnerability of being trapped within one’s own body (Culicidae) to the fundamental rights of parenthood (BEBE AI) and matters of sexuality (Soluzione Fisiologica). They explore feelings of disconnection (The Body With No Face) and dehumanization (The Dress), and even examine the challenges of overprotection (Don’t Come In…Yet!).

Friday, November 10, 16:00
Le Delta, Salle 1
Avenue Fernand Golenvaux 18, 5000 Namur
Tickets

Saturday, November 11, 18:15
Le Delta, Salle 2
Avenue Fernand Golenvaux 18, 5000 Namur
Tickets

Dzieci i ryby
2022, directed by Gracjana Piechula

Zosia, a 13-year-old CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), is a dreamer with aspirations of participating in a swimming competition. However, a simple oversight by her father in failing to register her jeopardizes her dreams. As their adventures unfold, Zosia finds herself in the unique position of being both an interpreter and a bridge between her deaf father and the world at large. Her ability to speak becomes both a gift and a responsibility, as she navigates the delicate balance of communication, revealing the complexities of her world.

The film will be presented as part of the „Théma Surdité” and „Fictions Comédies” short film reviews.

„Théma Surdité”

Watch a collection of six captivating short fiction films that explores the theme of deafness. With a blend of humor and seriousness, each film places communication – in all its forms – at the heart of its narrative. The selection is as diverse as it is engaging: from the comical predicament of the ‘hearers’ in „Say Again?” to the endless sign language dispute in „Shhh!”; from a couple’s emotional journey towards parenthood in „Sorda” to the complex dynamics of being a CODA – Child of Deaf Adults – as portrayed in „Dzieci i Ryby”. The program also delves into the resilience of a father raising a deaf son in ‘Father Tongue’ and the intricate communication between two individuals with sensory impairments in ‘New Neighbor.’ These films offer a profound exploration of the intricate tapestry of human connection and the beauty of diverse perspectives.

Thursday, November 9, 11:00
Le Delta, Salle 1
Avenue Fernand Golenvaux 18, 5000 Namur
Tickets

„Fictions Comédies”

Comedy has a unique way of lightening up profound subjects, and these eight short films are no exception. They explore scenarios like welcoming new neighbors when you’re blind (New Neighbor), confronting prejudices about working with a disabled colleague (Erreur 404), resolving disputes using sign language (Shhh!), navigating communication during confinement (Say Again), living with socially awkward disabilities (El paraguas), finding happiness in spite of adversity (Sunshine), being a CODA – Child of Deaf Parents (Dzieci I Ryby), and seeking escape from a fast-paced life that often neglects human connections (Motherless child).

Friday, November 10, 21:00
Le Delta, Salle 2
Avenue Fernand Golenvaux 18, 5000 Namur
Tickets

Sunday, November 12, 11:45
Le Delta, Salle 1
Avenue Fernand Golenvaux 18, 5000 Namur
Tickets

Pisklaki
2022, directed by Lidia Duda

Zosia, Oskar, and Kinga, three remarkable young children with vision disabilities, each bring their own special qualities to life. They face the transition to adulthood earlier than their peers. This thought-provoking documentary artfully and sensitively invites us into their world, a place where compassion, artistic expression, a delightful sense of humor, and the indomitable strength of their characters shine brightly. It’s a world where the bonds of friendship, the warmth of love, and the comforting presence of others serve as their guiding light through life’s most challenging moments.

Friday, November 10, 21:00
Le Delta, Salle 3
Avenue Fernand Golenvaux 18, 5000 Namur
Tickets

Sunday, November 12, 11:30
Le Delta, Salle 3
Avenue Fernand Golenvaux 18, 5000 Namur
Tickets

The Extraordinary Film Festival
08-12.11.2023
Check out the full programme

The screenings of Polish films at the festival are supported by the Polish Institute Brussels.