"When compiling the Paths of Fame section, I always strive for a genre-rich selection and I believe that, like me, the films that have impressed me at foreign festivals will also impress Cinematika viewers. The 20th year is also a certain important programming moment, as the festival's attendance is still growing, we feel a great responsibility to precisely select titles. Not only the successes of the films at international forums are important, but also their extraordinary quality," says Peter Konečný, a member of the programming team.
One of the key titles in the Paths of Fame section this year will be the top Brazilian political thriller The Secret Agent (O Agente Secreto, 2025) directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho. During the military dictatorship in 1977, technology expert Wagner Moura (Marcelo Alves) flees from a mysterious past and returns to his hometown of Recife in northeastern Brazil. However, he soon realizes that the port city is far from a safe haven. The film earned a thirteen-minute standing ovation at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and became one of the most discussed titles in the program. The success also brought laurels for best director, actor in the leading role and the FIPRESCI award. Cinematik will present the film in an exclusive Slovak premiere, and there will be several similar premieres.
From this year's Berlinale, Cinematik will also bring an American film by director and screenwriter Mary Bronstein with the sarcastic title If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025). A mix of original black comedy, drama and precise social satire. The world of the main character Linda is gradually falling apart - she is troubled by a strange illness of her child, her husband's long-term absence, and, on top of that, increasingly problematic meetings with a therapist. Everyday events turn into an unsolvable tangle of problems and the falling ceiling in the apartment is just a bitter metaphor for the diseases of the modern world. What to do when literally everything is falling on us? Rose Byrne in the lead role delivers an extremely authentic and emotional performance, for which she took home the Silver Bear from the Berlinale.
The original, deeply human story of Spanish director Eva Libertad, Can You Hear Me? (Sorda, 2025), will be seen by Slovak audiences after the Berlinale, Málaga, Seattle and Karlovy Vary festivals, in its domestic festival premiere. Deaf Angela struggles with concerns about whether she will be able to bond with her daughter during her pregnancy. After giving birth, her partner Héctor stands by her side as she learns to cope with motherhood in an environment that does not provide sufficient support or understanding for people with hearing impairments.
An exceptional and sensitive film that, with the help of a precise script, opens up the world of the deaf to the audience. How they feel, what they experience, how they fight for understanding in the space of colorful sounds. Inclusion thus becomes the most important, often invisible helping hand. The film won the Audience Award in the Panorama section at the Berlinale festival.
In the same section of the Paths of Fame, viewers will also see one of the best optimistic dramas of the year, Rebuilding (2025), by American director Max Walker-Silverman, in its Slovak premiere, which was an immediate success with the audience after its world premiere at the Sundance Festival. Cowboy Dusty (Josh O'Connor) lost his old family ranch to a forest fire and finds himself in a small FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) camp, where people who are united by the fate of losing their home meet. Together, they build unexpected friendships in the caravan camp - and perhaps also hope, love and thinking about the future. Everything gradually, slowly and from the ground up. "One of the most emotional film experiences of the year and a major program event for this year's Cinematik," says Peter Konečný about the film.
This year's winner of the Audience Award at the famous American SXSW (South by Southwest) festival, The Baltimorons (2025), directed by Jay Duplass, will also be present. Christmas Eve and a visit to the dental emergency room will bring together the main characters of this positive and humane story. The unexpected romance of a dentist and her untied patient will change the lives of everyone they meet in one night. Discovering Baltimore has never been so melancholic and joyful as in this intelligent romantic surprise of the year. "Director Jay Duplass once again confirms how he understands his characters and knows how to mix funny, but also authentically natural scripted situations for them. It's a joy to watch how American independent work continues to develop, even under the pressure of the mainstream, often meaningless stream," adds Peter Konečný.
From the Cannes Film Festival, one of the strongest relationship stories of this year, a French production by director Anna Cazenave Cambet – Love Me Tender (2025), will arrive in Piešťany. Lawyer Clémence leaves her marriage and stable job to finally start living her own life and accepting her true identity. Her ex-husband fights for custody of their son Paul and launches a series of manipulative methods to limit their contact with each other. As their relationship deteriorates, Clémence tries to maintain her love for her child at all costs. The main character is brilliantly portrayed by Vicky Krieps, who captivatingly explores the position of women in society and the complexity of parental relationships.
Cinematik brings several of the most anticipated titles from Cannes, and there will also be the original wild American comedy Splitsville (2025). Two couples, one common question – relationships have changed and each partner may be looking for something completely different. The idea of an open relationship will test their friendship and disrupt the certainties they thought were solid until now. Michael Angelo Covino, director and one of the main protagonists, creates a lively relationship comedy full of provocative situations and plot ideas. "The film will be part of the awards ceremony and will clearly complement the genre diversity of this year's Cinematik," adds Peter Konečný.
Another big directorial name in the Paths of Fame section is Sergei Loznitsa and his latest feature film, Two Prosecutors (Zwei Staatsanwälte, 2025). We return to 1937. When a letter from one of the political prisoners, despite strict rules, makes it beyond the prison walls and ends up on the desk of the young prosecutor Kornev, a series of revelations of corruption and violence in the ranks of the NKVD (People's Commissariat of Internal Affairs) is triggered.
His desire for justice, however, draws him into a deadly struggle with a regime that mercilessly devours its own people in the Stalin era. Sergei Loznitsa brings another chilling look into the past, which is nevertheless uncomfortably current. Coming to terms with the past, which is also eye-opening in today's complicated times, is the long-term direction of the award-winning director's work.
The film, which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, is a regular part of the Cinematik program. Renowned Iranian director Jafar Panahi comes with a work inspired by his own prison experiences. One night, an event that seems insignificant at first glance takes place, but it fatefully connects two men – former political prisoner Vahid and a stranger, in whom he gradually recognizes his former torturer. Although Vahid has never seen his face, the rhythm of his steps and the distinctive sound of his prosthesis lead him to a terrifying realization. But can he really be sure? A suggestive drama full of moral dilemmas, A Small Accident (Yek tasadef sadeh, 2025) is clearly among the best films of this year.
Kabul, August 15, 2021. American troops are leaving Afghanistan and the Taliban are attacking the capital. They take it and the whole of Kabul falls into complete chaos. Thousands of frightened Afghans flock to the last safe haven, the French embassy, where Commander Mohamed Bida and his elite team are providing security. The Franco-Belgian film 13 Days, 13 Nights (13 jours, 13 nuits, 2025) is based on the incredible but true story that Mohamed Bida published in the book of the same name. After its world premiere at this year's Cannes, the shocking war drama will also be presented by Cinematik, in an exclusive first Slovak screening.
What's Left of Love (Ástin sem eftir er, 2025), the latest film by Hlynur Pálmason (White, White Day, Godland), a detailed observer of human destinies and complicated relationships, captures a year in the life of an Icelandic family, during which the parents cope with separation and mutual misunderstanding. Through intimate scenes and strange events, the film explores the complexity of love and the influence of memories. The authentic performances of the married couple and their children – played by the director's own descendants – bring a unique visual and formal cinematic experience. "Pálmason is able to build the principles of existential drama with an immense sense of detail and originality of individual images. The visual distinctiveness is also defined by shooting on film material," explains Peter Konečný.
Pasha lives in a small Russian town and is a popular teacher at a local school. With the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, his job completely changes. He is forced to organize activities in accordance with the new war curriculum and document them on camera. The demands on teachers are increasing, Pasha's former students are leaving for the front, and the atmosphere in the town is tense. He decides to fight the best he can. He begins filming not only state-mandated activities, but also everyday life in and outside the school, with the aim of showing the world the impact of war and the authoritarian regime on the local community. The film Mr. Nobody against Putin (2025) brings a unique perspective on the functioning of Russian propaganda and tells a thrilling story about a man who decides to risk everything in order not to betray his values. The Danish-Czech-German film, awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Festival, is one of the most important documentary projects of the year.
The 20th edition of the Cinematik International Film Festival will bring more than a hundred exceptional film experiences divided into competitive and thematic sections. In addition, it will offer a high-quality industry program, lectures, accompanying events and meetings with interesting guests. Accreditations for the 20th edition of the Cinematik International Film Festival are on sale on the official festival website www.cinematik.sk.
