February 12, 2022 (DeeD) – Common Good International Film Festival, now in its 20th edition, has announced lineup for the 2022 edition of the festival.
The 20th annual Common Good International Film Festival has unveiled the 2022 festival lineup in competition sections of Short Films and Feature Films. A total of 17 movies, 8 short films and 9 feature films, have been selected to go on screen in the competition sections of the festival.
The Common Good International Film Festival, now in its 20th year, celebrates films that foster social and personal responsibility to others and the earth. The festival promotes a vision for the common good through films that represent dignity for all and that offer a chance for creative transformation. The 2022 edition of the festival takes place from February 11-14, 2022 in the city of Salam, OR, United States.
A lineup of 8 short films from USA, Turkey, Iran, Spain, and Australia competes in the Short Films section of the 20th Common Good International Film Festival. “Pretty Vacant” by Cigdem Slankard, “Hello Sunshine” by Joe Quint, “The Signal” by Recep Köse, “The Last Photo” by Mehmet Akif Guler, “The Recess” by Navid Nikkhah Azad, “Lunch For You” by Renato Ghio and Alicia Ghio, “Like You” by Marco Gosalvez, “Pacing the Pool” by Radheya Jegatheva are the festival lineup in this section.
“Pretty Vacant” tells the story of a site-specific community art project in the Slavic Village Neighborhood in Cleveland, during which abandoned and blighted houses slated for demolition are transformed into temporary art installations.
In “Hello Sunshine,” Roz Pichardo is more than a domestic violence and gun violence survivor, she’s a warrior. Despite of – or because of – being thrown off a bridge by an abusive ex-boyfriend, the unsolved murder of her brother, and the suicide of her identical twin sister, she’s able to channel her trauma into service by helping the often-forgotten people of North Philadelphia.
In “Signal,” the Operation Cast Lead carried out by Israel on Palestine in 2009 almost destroys all infrastructure and facilities regarding health, education and all the other basic needs. Palestinians’ call for help doesn’t receive a solid answer internationally because of the embargo and blockade of Israel on Palestine and also the indifference of the world countries.
“The Last Photo” tells the story of a photographer, Abdullah Milhim, who is trying to announce by photographing what is going on in the war zone, Syria to the world.
“The Recess” tells the story of young Sahar, who is determined to watch her favorite soccer team play for the league championship. Barred from attending sports events as a woman, Sahar disguises herself as a boy with the help of her friends. Things take a tragic turn when Sahar’s disguise is uncovered. Inspired by true events, The Recess explores gender oppression in Iranian society.
In “Lunch For You,” given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New American Dream Foundation switched gears and created a hot meal program. This film documents their efforts to bring more than just a meal to seniors in their community.
In “Like You,” a child with Down syndrome wants to go to a casting for actors, but he doesn’t dare because of his condition. His mother encourages him to come forward, with unexpected results.
“Pacing the Pool” is a tiny glimpse into the extraordinary life of Richard Pace. A different approach to life might have seen him crushed under the weight of the physical and mental stresses he has been through since he was a child, however, healing waters have helped him rise above it all.
A lineup of 9 feature films from USA, Brazil, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia competes in the Feature Films section of the 20th Common Good International Film Festival. “Ourselves in Stories” by Marjee Chmiel, “Queen of Glory” by Nana Mensah, “Emptiness Crossing US” by Fernando Moreira, “The Power of the People: A Collective Struggle for Life and the Environment” by José Luis Baerga Aguirre, “Terror and Hope: The Science of Resilience” by Ron Bourke, “Black Bauhinia” by Malte Philipp Kaeding, “This Is Where I Meet You” by Katharina Ludwig, “We Are All In This Together” by Daniel Troia, “Chef Antonio’s Recipes For Revolution” by Trevor Graham are the festival lineup in this section.
In “Ourselves in Stories,” in the last 25 years, the independent comics community made deliberate efforts to be inclusive and elevate under-represented voices. This is the story of how the community has changed over those years and evidence that if you want to change a culture, you need to change its stories, starting with the storytellers.
In “Queen of Glory,” the brainy scientist, Sarah, a doctoral student at Columbia University, is weeks away from following her very married boyfriend to Ohio when her mother dies suddenly, leaving Sarah the owner of a small but beloved Christian bookstore in the Bronx.
In “Emptiness Crossing US,” crossed by greed, two hundred and seventy-two people were buried by tailings from the Vale mining company in Brumadinho (MG), Brazil. The emptiness that now crosses those who try to carry on will never be filled. This tribute film is dedicated to the victims of the irresponsible mining tragedy that continues to take its toll with blood and devastation.
“The Power of the People: A Collective Struggle for Life and the Environment” features the experiences of Jobos Bay residents in southeastern Puerto Rico. Community members strive to live good lives, while resisting the ongoing toxic assault caused by power plants and other extractivist industries that poison human and more-than-human bodies in this beautiful region and ecosystem.
“Terror and Hope: The Science of Resilience” follows scientists and humanitarians as they combine cutting-edge research and informed care to heal Syrian refugee children traumatized by the devastating stress of war. Science fueled by compassion. A future driven by hope.
“Black Bauhinia” is the first feature-length documentary film on Hong Kong localism and the independence movement, which fundamentally transformed Hong Kong’s domestic and international relations.
“This Is Where I Meet You” tells the story of Actress Charlotte, who is struggling with her craft and even more with herself. Frustrated by the realities of an artistic career and her fear of failing, Charlotte escapes on a camping trip to sunny Croatia with her boyfriend Georg. But the trip’s dynamic changes when their plans of a fun-filled couples vacation misfire.
In “We Are All In This Together,” during divisive times in America, a man sets off on a cross-country bicycle journey, with no food, no money, and the hope of gaining a better understanding of the human connection.
“Chef Antonio’s Recipes For Revolution” tells the story of Chef Antonio de Benedetto on a quest to change the world with his delicious Italian food.
The 20th edition of the Common Good International Film Festival takes place from February 11-14, 2022 in the city of Salam, OR, United States.