History increasingly plays a crucial role in the major debates of our time – from post-colonialism, claims to representation and identity politics, to the resurgence of fascism, to Putin’s historical justifications for his invasion of Ukraine. Everywhere the past casts its shadow over the present; everywhere it is renegotiated; everywhere it is used as an argument that some are right and others are wrong. We have put together a programme of six powerful films, each in its own way shining a light on history as a battleground, as a weapon and as outright explosive material.

Twice Colonized
Lawyer and activist Aaju Peter fights her own and other indigenous peoples' struggle for recognition in a world where colonialism is not a thing of the past. But at the same time, she struggles with her own demons and traumas in a film that tells her story.
Lin Alluna / Denmark, Greenland, Canada / 2023 / 92 min / European Premiere

The Arc of Oblivion
A filmmaker builds his own ark to protect his memories from the ravages of time in a rambunctious, thought-provoking and entertaining essay that tackles grand topics like memory and impermanence with great wit and care.
Ian Cheney / United States / 2023 / 94 min / International Premiere

Blix Not Bombs
A deep and thorough interview-portrait of Swedish top diplomat Hans Blix, who held world history in his hands in Iraq 20 years ago. International politics dissected with rare insight and elegance.
Greta Stocklassa / Czech Republic, Germany, Sweden / 2023 / 83 min / World Premiere

The March on Rome
Ultra-cinéaste Mark Cousins tells the story of the rise of right-wing nationalism in the West through rare film clips mined from deep within the archives, masterfully assembled into an incisive analysis of a history that threatens to repeat itself.
Mark Cousins / Italy / 2022 / 98 min

White Balls on Walls
What do we do with an art history where all the works are made by men? Join the meetings as the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam tries to bring art into a new age. It is wise and funny to listen to in an elegant film that sets the bar high.
Sarah Vos / Netherlands / 2022 / 90 min

Theatre of Violence
An epic and unshakeable drama of guilt and punishment. Former Ugandan child soldier Dominic Ongwen is both executioner and victim in a sober courtroom drama about crimes against humanity that upends on the very foundations of morality.
Emil Langballe, Lukasz Konopa / Denmark, Germany / 2023 / 104 min / World Premiere