Positions

DOK Leipzig 2026

Positions

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With Positions, we create a space for encounters and shared reflections. The films explore complex geopolitical and historical contexts, lay bare cracks and contradictions, open up new perspectives. Follow-up discussions with filmmakers and experts continue the dialogue and extend it beyond the cinema auditorium.
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With Positions, we open up a space for exchange, debate and new perspectives. The section takes a look at a world that defies simple answers, at its political and historical faultlines, contradictions and ambivalences. The films invite us to look more closely, to listen and connect different views. They are starting points for discussions in which certainty is given as much space as doubt.

In search of traces of the disappeared of the Spanish Civil War, “Atlas of Disappearance” follows relatives and asks how a suppressed chapter of history is dealt with. “Hope Is a Word” counters the reality of oil extraction in Nigeria with protest through poetry. In “Detention”, we observe aspiring prison guards in France and see how scepticism, under the influence of obedience, gradually becomes routine. “Tricontinental, Letter to Open in Case Of” delves into the story of a socialist movement during the Cold War and asks about the enduring impact of political ideas.

Two-times Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple completes her trilogy about the rights of the working class with “Union Town”. Set between homeland and exile, Israel and the in-between, “Fracture” unfolds a personal visual diary about distance and belonging. “The Masturbator – The Adventures of Edgar Hilsenrath”, a world premiere, approaches the Leipzig writer and Holocaust survivor, born 100 years ago, via animation and archive material.

Even beyond the screen, Positions relies on encounters and dialogue. In cooperation with the Berlin Critics’ Week, two debate formats are being developed that open up and reassess established discussion structures between the audience, filmmakers and critics. In addition, Extended Q&As with filmmakers and experts invite us to follow up on ideas, delve more deeply into the issues and tolerate contradictions.
 

Ola Staszel

Debate Formats in the Film Programme

Publikumsjoker

Following the screening of „Union Town“ on festival Tuesday, DOK Leipzig presents a special debate inspired by the Publikumsjoker format of Berlin Critics’ Week. Director Barbara Kopple, who presented two films in last year’s Un-American Activities Retrospektive, returns with her new film exploring protests by delivery workers in the US. With a special guest from Deutsche Post and two audience members invited on stage, we will discuss the film. Join us and be part of this debate!

In German only!

Moderator: Seggen Michael (DOK Leipzig Selection Committee)

Guests: 

  • Isabell Senff (DHL)
  • Audience
Steilvorlage

Following the screening of „Atlas of Disappearance“ & „This, Too, Will Be Liquid“ on festival Thursday, Berlin Critics’s Week has curated a debate format called "Steilvorlage".

Two films which examine the relation of photographic and computer-generated images to profound political questions: Manuel Correa examines how Spain still deals with the murders of citizens by the Franco regime, while Karolina Malwina Gruschkas examines her personal memories with the climate crisis in mind. The combination of the two films will be the starting point for a debate on perspectives on reality as well as curatorial positions.

Moderator: Dennis Vetter (Berlin Critics’s Week)

Guests: 

  • Manuel Correa
  • Karolina Malwina Gruschka
  • Viktoria Leshchenko (DOK Leipzig Selection Committee)
  • Melisa Liebenthal (Director „The Face of the Jellyfish“)
Reaktionszeit

Following the screening of „Detention“ on festival Thursday, Berlin Critics’s Week has curated a debate format called "Reaktionszeit".

Guillaume Massart accompanied future prison guards during their professional education and observes with an eye for details how their positions change, even the way they speak, the way they see the world. The team of Berlin Critics’ Week has invited two guests for a debate in which they initially are free to react to the film and disagree with its politics if necessary. Only afterwards the director is invited to reply and join in.

Moderator: Till Kadritzke (Berlin Critics’s Week)

Guests: 

  • Guillaume Massart
  • Lilian Mauthofer
  • Constanze Wolpers
Debattenformate im Filmprogramm

Verlassen Sie mit Positions den gewohnten Festivalrahmen: Unser neues Filmprogramm lädt zu verlängerten Gesprächen im Anschluss an die Screenings ein. 

Steilvorlage

Im Anschluss auf das Screening von „this, too, will be liquid“ und „Atlas of Disappearance“ am Festivalmittwoch folgt eine Debatte im Format STEILVORLAGE, kuratiert durch die Woche der Kritik

Zwei Filme erforschen das Verhältnis von fotografischen und computergenerierten Bildern zu tiefgreifenden politischen Fragen: Manuel Correa betrachtet die Aufarbeitung der Morde des Franco-Regimes, während bei Karolina Malwina Gruschka persönliche Erinnerungen auf die Entwicklungen der Klimakatastrophe treffen. Die Kombination der beiden Filme wird zum Ausgangspunkt für eine Debatte über den Blick auf das Reale und kuratorische Haltungen.

Moderation: Dennis Vetter (Woche der Kritik)

Gäst*innen: 

  • Manuel Correa
  • Karolina Malwina Gruschka
  • Viktoria Leshchenko (DOK Leipzig Auswahlkommission)
  • Melisa Liebenthal (Regisseurin „The Face of the Jellyfish“)

Reaktionszeit

Im Anschluss auf das Screening von „Detention“ am Festivaldonnerstag folgt eine Debatte im Format REAKTIONSZEIT, kuratiert durch die Woche der Kritik

Guillaume Massart begleitete zukünftige Gefängniswärter*innen bei ihrer Berufsausbildung und beobachtet mit genauem Blick, wie sich deren Haltungen, deren Sprechweisen, deren Blicke verändern. Das Team der Woche der Kritik hat zwei Gäste eingeladen, in einer Debatte zunächst auf den Film zu reagieren, falls nötig Widerspruch einzulegen. Erst danach darf der Regisseur antworten und reagieren.

Moderation: Till Kadritzke (Woche der Kritik)

Gäst*innen: 

  • Guillaume Massart
  • weitere Gäst*innen werden in Kürze bekannt gegeben
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