A young woman with a headscarf dances out of an inner urge. These touching scenes can be seen in the short film “Yellow Line”, which the Youki youth media festival in Wels will bring to the cinema as part of its film competition.
The work comes from the Iranian Katayoun Parmar (26) and “shows her great courage,” says Martina Genetti, director of the Youki film competition. The film stands for opposition to the ban on dancing in Iran. In view of the protests there after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had incited the “moral police” against them, Parmar’s attitude would become “explosive and topical”.
“Yellow Line” is one of 79 films from 31 countries that will be shown in Wels. They were created by directors between the ages of 13 and 27. This process of support and enabling is exemplary for the spirit of the Youki: give inspiration, let people try it, provide support, help and humour.
The Youki, which has been taking place live again for the first time since 2019, has dedicated itself to the holistic concept of media from social media to literature and music. “For our nightlines, for example, we engage young bands that are perhaps on the verge of becoming bigger,” says Philipp Feichtinger, who runs Youki with Anna Rieder. Invite young artists to design the trophies of the competition. This year Magdalena Prieler often creates hidden objects of hygiene.
The mediation offers are also intended to break up taboos and stimulate communication. The “Body Talk” workshop (October 12th) is about healthy body perception, the “Never Work Alone” workshop (October 15th) is about solidary, sustainable cultural work (admission is free, there are places available) and in the Breakfast Club (15th October) 10.) #MeToo is spoken of in Austria.
The motto for 2022 is “Survive” and should take into account “that young people grow up in crisis scenarios,” says Feichtinger. In addition to the pandemic, one means the fear of the climate crisis or the war in Europe. “On a small scale, we can show strategies that help in personal and artistic interaction.”
Genetti says that the 800 works viewed for the competition from 75 countries would not be a blanket testimony to a depressed youth. The focus is on mental health, difficult things are told respectfully, sensitively, with humor and very creatively. “With many, you notice that film is a way of processing, of dealing with the self.”
Youki 2022 at a glance
- When? 11 to 15 October
- Where? Media culture house, old slaughterhouse, arthouse cinema in Wels
- What? 26 events (concerts, talks), 79 films in ten competition blocks
- For whom? For young people as well as for mature film, cinema and art enthusiasts with an interest in the young world, youki.at
- Tickets: free program for under 18s, reservation: ticket@youki.at
Source: Nachrichten
