When Harmattan Blows from the Family Webs category follows the story of a young Ghanaian woman named Barbara who, like many Ghanaian children, was forced into slave labour as a young girl. Although today she is confident and charismatic, memories of her violent and abusive past force their way into her consciousness when the harmattan winds blow across the Sahara. Years later, Barbara returns to her parents to help them out and to finally ask the question that has have been on her mind since childhood: were they aware that they send her to a horrific fate?

The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos is a feature film from the Community Boundaries category. This movie, inspired by the forced relocation of a Nigerian fishing community a decade ago, tells the story of Jawu, a single mother living in the floating slums of the Agbojedo community. One day, Jawu stumbles across a large sum of blood money intended for the construction of luxury flats on the site where she currently resides. Initially, Jawu takes the money for herself and her son, thinking this could be their ticket to a better life. However, with warrior blood coursing through her veins, her motivation soon shifts and she is compelled to stand up and fight for her community. With elements of magical realism, this film depicts the transformation of how feeling of individualism can morph into a sense of communal unification in the face of injustice. 

Another fictional film, On Falling, from the Searching for Freedom category, tells the story of the miserable working conditions for thousands of migrants employed in the supposedly prosperous West. Aurora, a Portuguese woman, works as a warehouse worker in Scotland. Viewers watch as she navigates a horrible job with low wages, constant supervision, social isolation and utterly dehumanising work that eventually leads to a complete emotional breakdown. This film is harsh exploration of contemporary capitalist society and the price of jobs that do not look after the wellbeing of their employees. 

Next, the Oscar-winning Israeli-Palestinian documentary No Other Land again explores the theme of forced displacement. Basel, a Palestinian man, watches hopelessly as his family’s home in West Bank’s Masafer Yatta is demolished to make way for an Israeli army training ground. Despite threats and attacks, Basel begins filming everything, sharing settlement events and actively participating in protests. A fragile alliance soon forms between Basel and Israeli journalist Yuval as they document the gross injustice, heart-breaking destruction and the cruel forced displacement of thousands.

Finally, the documentary Scent Evidence from the Czech Competition category shows utter failings of local legal system. Forensic scientists can use some of the most advanced technology in the world to accurately solve modern-day crimes. However, despite access to nearly infallible technologies, police dogs are still commonly used to convict. Although this may sound cute or even humorous, the unreliability of a poorly trained police dog can lead to a lifetime of imprisonment for some. Director Zuzana Piussi’s compelling documentary shines a light on the rigidity of the legal system that relies on antiquated investigative procedure and how it ultimately perverts the course of justice.