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Festival Program 2026Retrospective 5: Lines of Longing​

SHORTS

Retrospective 5: Lines of Longing

Curated by Merle Groneweg

Across fleeting encounters and quiet explorations, the films in this program explore the fragile threads that connect us – to others and to ourselves, to communities and oceans, to bodies and transformations. From the charged atmosphere of a military town to the intimacy of one’s wardrobe, the protagonists navigate the vulnerabilities emerging with questions of desire, identity, and belonging. Set in cruising spaces, elevators, family homes, and memories, these six films from XPOSED years 2017-2022 remind us that longing is a form of movement towards freedom.

Content notes: physical, racist, and sexual violence

Sinema Transtopia

23.05.2026 – 18:00

The Fox Exploits the Tiger's Might

Two preteen boys discover their sexuality and the relation between power and sex, in the awkward social setting of a sleepy small town with a military base. David is the big-shot boastful son of a high-ranking officer, while Aseng’s family is an ethnic minority tobacco merchant who sells bootleg liquor.

Director: Lucky Kuswandi
Writer: Daud Sumolang
Country: Indonesia, 2015
Language: Indonesian
Subtitle: English
Duration: 24 min

Va-Bene

Va-Bene stands at a pivotal moment of transformation, beginning to embrace femininity within a society shaped by rigid gender norms and strong religious influence. Having preached in church for many years, Va-Bene now enters a process of unlearning and questioning deeply ingrained beliefs. As a performance artist, Va-Bene confronts these constraints, using art to challenge and expose the limitations placed on gender expression in Ghanaian society.

Experiments with Chronophotography Animation of Dance, featuring in sequence Ballet, Sanjo, Contemporary Dance, Jazz Dance, Aerial Silk, Tap Dance, Aerobics, Disco, Breakdance, Hip-Hop and Ballroom Dance.

Director: Brenda Akele Jorde
Writer: Brenda Akele Jorde
Country: Germany, Ghana, 2018
Language: English
Subtitle: English
Duration: 11 min

Bateria (Batería)

Hidden in the undergrowth of a disused military base just outside of Havana lies a refuge for gay men, for cruising, connection and imagining better futures.

Director: Dami Sainz Edwards
Country: Cuba, 2016
Language: Spanish
Subtitle: English
Duration: 16 min

SOMETHING SAID

Director: Jay Bernard
Country: UK, 2017
Duration: 8 min

When the Androgynous Child (Cuando el niño andrógino)

Director: Melina Pafundi
Writer: Melina Pafundi
Country: Germany & Argentina, 2019
Language: German
Subtitle: English
Duration: 9 min

Director: Shon Kim
Country: S. Korea / USA, 2019
Language: Korean, English, French, Spanish, etc.
Subtitle: English
Duration: 7 min

ETAGE X

Director: Francy Fabritz
Country: Germany, 2016
Duration: 14 min

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