For the year 2025, International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) has revealed its “Cinema Regained” lineup, which encompasses 43 restored masterpieces, documentaries, and investigations into film history. This collection features a mix of recent productions as well as restorations from before the year 1970.
Standout debuts feature “Mousso Fariman,” a long-awaited film by Burkinabé director Drissa Touré (previously of “Haramuya”), co-directed with Stéphane Mbanga, and “The Lilac Wind of Paradjanov,” a tribute to the late, esteemed Soviet filmmaker Sergei Parajanov, helmed by director Ali Khamraev. The latter film will be screened in Rotterdam, marking 38 years since Parajanov and co-director Dodo Abashidze’s “The Legend of Suram Fortress” premiered at IFFR in 1987, where it received the award for most innovative film.
The Cinema Regained initiative plans to exhibit the refurbished adaptation of José Álvaro Morais’s film, “The Jester,” that initially premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 1988.
Among the many standout selections, I found myself particularly captivated by my personal favorites: Lee Taewoong’s “Korean Dream: The Nama-jinheung Mixtape,” which delves into Korean Cold War history using archival footage; Khavn’s innovative “Bomba Bernal,” a tribute to Filipino genre cinema inspired by artificial intelligence; and Saeed Nouri’s immersive “Tehran, An Unfinished History,” offering a profound exploration of pre-1979 Iranian cinema.
Notable female directors are showcased, including Katha by established Indian director Sai Paranjpye; Cinema Pe Cinema: The Theatres. The Movies. And Us, a documentary by Vani Subramanian; and Oyoyo, a drama from Gujarati filmmaker Chetna Vora, which delves into the experiences of foreign students in the German Democratic Republic.
As a passionate gamer, I’ve always been fascinated by the lesser-known corners of cinematography. For instance, delving into Hafiz Rancajale’s masterpiece, Bachtiar, offers an intriguing glimpse into the overlooked legacy of the late Indonesian director Bachtiar Siagian. Similarly, Edgar Georg Ulmer’s Cossacks in Exile (1939) transports us to the world of Ukrainian exile cinema. Lastly, Ramón Rivera Moret’s Todo parecía posible invites us on a journey through rural filmmaking in Puerto Rico. Each of these films carries a unique story that deserves recognition and appreciation.
The 54th IFFR runs Jan. 30-Feb. 9.
IFFR 2025 Cinema Regained Program
¡Homofobia! (European Premiere) dir. Goyo Anchou Argentina, 2024
Bachtiar (World Premiere) dir. Hafiz Rancajale Indonesia, 2025
Bomba Bernal (World Premiere) dir. Khavn Philippines, 2025
Cast of Shadows (World Premiere) dir. Sami van Ingen Finland, 2025
From Reel to Real: The Journey of Cinemas, Films, and Us” (European Premiere), directed by Vani Subramanian, India, 2025
Or
“Cinema, Movies, and Us: Our Journey Together” (European Premiere), directed by Vani Subramanian, India, 2025
These titles maintain the essence of the original while making it more natural and easier to read for an English-speaking audience. The focus remains on the experience shared between the audience and cinema/movies, as well as the geographical location and year of production.
Cossacks in Exile dir. Edgar G. Ulmer United States, 1939
Erzählungen eines Kinogehers (World Premiere) dir. Christiane Büchner Germany, 2025
I Am with a Monk dir. Khom Akadet Thailand, 1984
Kaja, I’ll Kill You! dir. Vatroslav Mimica Croatia, Yugoslavia, 1967
Katha dir. Sai Paranjpye India, 1983
International Debut: The Mixtape of Namajeong by Lee Taewoong (2024), a South Korean Production
Or, for a more conversational tone:
Check out the first showing of “The Mixtape of Namajeong” directed by Lee Taewoong, it’s a movie from South Korea in 2024!
Mousso fariman (World Premiere) dir. Drissa Touré, Stephane Mbanga Burkina Faso, 2025
Negligence dir. Ali Kasmaie Iran, 1953
No Magic for Socialists (World Premiere) dir. Htoo Lwin Myo Myanmar, 2025
Someone Else’s Children dir. Tengiz Abuladze Georgia, 1958
Tehran, An Unfinished History (World Premiere) dir. Saeed Nouri Iran, 2025
The Grey Machine (World Premiere) dir. Péter Lichter Hungary, Estonia, 2025
The Jester dir. José Álvaro Morais Portugal, 1987
Experiencing the Breeze of Lilac from Paradjanov (World Premiere), directed by Ali Khamraev – a collaboration between Armenia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Italy in 2025. I can hardly wait!
The Red Badge of Courage dir. John Huston United States, 1951
The Wide World of Mystery: House and the Brain dir. Gloria Monty United States, 1973
There’s a Fire Burning dir. Gustaf Molander Sweden, 1943
Todo parecía posible (World Premiere) dir. Ramón Rivera Moret United States, Puerto Rico, 2025
MID LENGTH:
La nott’e’l giorno dir. Gianni Castagnoli Italy, 1976
Notre Dame de la Croisette dir. Daniel Schmid Switzerland, 1981
Orangemond dir. Gabriele Denecke Germany, 1980
Oyoyo dir. Chetna Vora Germany, 1980
The Classic Ghosts: Deadly Visitor dir. Lela Swift United States, 1973
The Demise of Dracula” (World Debut)
Directed by Attila Gödri, Gyopár Buzási, Flóra Kovács, Szabolcs Sztercey, Orsolya Orbán, Boglárka Angéla Farkas, Nóra Miklós, Zsófia Makkai
Production Countries: Romania, Hungary, France
Year of Release: 2025
Was die Nacht spricht – eine Erzählung (World Premiere) dir. Hans Scheugl Austria, 2025
SHORT:
Itinéraire de Jean Bricard (Dutch Premiere) dir. Jean-Marie Straub, Danièle Huillet France, 2007
Kiss dir. Varun Grover India, 2021
Lantern Magic (World Premiere) dir. Adam Barker-Mill United Kingdom, 2025
Las manos del hombre dir. Jack Delano Puerto Rico, 1952
Modesta dir. Benjamin Doniger Puerto Rico, 1956
Neige dir. Roland Truffaut France, 2024
1st Document (Document No. 1) (Directed by Helmut Waldemar/Winchester Banz) – World Premiere – Directed by Jürgen Heiter, Germany, 2025
Document Number 1 (Helmut Waldemar / Winchester Banz’s Film) – World Premiere – German Movie of 2025 directed by Jürgen Heiter.
Ode to R.G. Springsteen dir. John Winn United States, 2024
S. Parajanov. Delayed Premiere (International Premiere) dir. Yuriy Repik Ukraine, 1995
Saturn Return dir. Daniela Zahlner Austria, 2024
The Geneva Mechanism: A Ghost Movie dir. Péter Lichter Hungary, 2024
Una voz en la montaña dir. Amilcar Tirado Puerto Rico, 1952
Where Russia Ends dir. Oleksiy Radynski Ukraine, 2024
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2025-01-09 17:25