After eight editions organized in Cahul, the MOLDOX International Documentary Film Festival makes its debut in Chisinau. The event will take place at the Cineplex "Loteanu" and offers an extensive program with 27 documentaries from all over the world, workshops for filmmakers, panel discussions and special events, IPN reports.
The theme of this year's edition, the ninth internationally, is democracy, explored through documentaries tackling human rights, freedom of expression, gender equality and the lives of vulnerable communities. "The films chosen not only inform but inspire. They show how we can build a better society. Each movie is a life lesson", said Maxim Cirlan, artistic director of the festival.
The festival's opening night brought the Moldovan documentary "Shadow of War", which tells the moving story of Moldovan volunteers helping refugees in Ukraine, to the screen. The film captures the complexity of the situation, highlighting both the solidarity and anxiety felt in Moldova as the state faces the challenge of being drawn into the conflict. The movie was created by a collective of young Moldovan filmmakers.
"We started in Cahul in order to decentralize culture and show that large-scale events can be organized outside the capital. But the festival has grown and the infrastructure there no longer meets our current needs. The Chisinau edition marks a new beginning for MOLDOX", said Mihai Cirlan, the festival's founder.
The event has brought international filmmakers and experts to Chisinau, including Anton Ptushkin, known for his TV show "Orel and Reshka". He will present his documentary "We, Our Animals and War" on Friday, November 29.
Besides screenings, the festival includes workshops for emerging filmmakers, film industry events and social activities. "MOLDOX is not only about movies, but also about creating a space for dialog. It's a place where film becomes a catalyst for social change", emphasized Felicia Plămădeală, Moldox Lab coordinator.
Founded in Cahul, MOLDOX has become a symbol of social change through cinema. "Over the years, the festival has built a community passionate about documentary film. Moving to Chisinau is a natural step in our evolution," explained Mihai Cirlan.
In addition to Moldovan films, Moldox will present 19 documentaries from Ukraine, Haiti, Romania, USA, Poland, Germany, Greece, Austria and other countries. A record number of 22 Q&A sessions with filmmakers will give the audience the chance to interact with the filmmakers. The films will be presented in their original languages, with Romanian subtitles, and some films will be in Russian.
This year, Moldox presents "An Emotional Encyclopedia of War", a radio art project by Anna Kravets. The project explores the emotional and personal impact of war through sound. Visitors can watch a dialogue with the artist at Queer Café 1.0 in Zemstvei House from November 28-30.
