Rotterdam goes hardcore genre with an eclectic mix of films that brashly bend, blend or respect conventions each in their own distinctive way.

IFFR 2018

Rob Curry

Tim Plester

Standing on stage and seeing your partner in the audience having an affair – it literally silenced the ‘High Queene of English Folk’. The once popular vocalist could no longer sing, until four decades later she made a striking comeback. A warm, intimate film about the glory days of folk.

Voices

Scopitone

The Ballad of Shirley Collins

Cori Wapnowska

This raw, energetic documentary follows six women, all of whom want to become the best Dancehall Queen in the world. It’s not just pop divas such as Beyoncé, Rihanna and Miley who furiously imitate the provocative Jamaican dance style – anonymous women from Spain, Italy, America, Poland and Japan are also making this their emancipatory life goal.

Bruk Out! A Dancehall Queen Documentary

Connor Matheson

Immerse yourself in the super-heavy Sheffield doom scene, with concert footage and interviews with Bill Ward (Black Sabbath) and members of Conan, Crowbar and Primitive Man. Heavy metal is a lifestyle. Fans and musicians live for doom and channel their anger into crushing, yet positive live shows. EarWORM LIVE Line-up: Poetry: Vincent Niks, Introduction: Richard Foster, DJ Pim Blankenstein.

The Doom Doc

Tommie Dell Smith

Midlife crisis or late vocation? Alasdair Fraser, a successful industrial engineer, changes course and chooses the violin. From California, he starts a contagious propaganda campaign that not only focusses on Scottish folk music but also on Scottish independence. A portrait with a striking resonance.

The Groove Is Not Trivial

William E.  Badgley

In 1976, four teenage Londoners started experimental reggae-punk band The Slits, turning the music world upside down. Young, intimidating women for whom nothing was sacred, their desire for freedom continues to inspire. This homage to lead vocalist Ari-Up, who died in 2010, cements The Slits' reputation. EarWORM Live Line-up: Introduction: Leonor Faber-Jonker, Q&amp;A: Jan Hiddink, DJ’S Girls go BOOM, DJ Squad.

Here to Be Heard: The Story of The Slits

Robert Clem

Rock 'n' roll’s roots aren’t just rhythm and blues, but go much further back to 1930s gospel quartet music. A surfeit of musical clips illustrates how harmony singing gradually evolved into an upbeat spectacle with electrical instruments and, ultimately, more worldly lyrics.

How They Got Over

Paul R. Chandler

Brian David Melnyk

Mali, the 'birthplace of music', is so oppressed by religious strife that its culture is dying. Few can still play the traditional instruments. Globalisation and rap music are also taking their toll. Will this be the last documentary on this musical country?

It Must Make Peace

Theodore Griswold

Christopher Valdes

Music brings joy, but what if your life is at risk when you perform? In Olancho, the most anarchic province of Honduras, the most murderous country in the world, criminal cartels love to vie for the best musicians. Then they have to sing the praises of the most powerful drug baron until a rival calls for them.

Olancho

Beate Kunath

Portraits of 11 international, female electro pioneers from Berlin by club organiser Beate Kunath. With infectious enthusiasm they express their love of music, sound and the city of Berlin. It is this melting pot of venues, squats, clubs and art galleries that allows them to rave and experiment to their heart’s desire. EarWORM LIVE Line-up: Nadia Struwigh, Van Anh, Linh Luu, Visuals: Sophia de Jong.

Raw Chicks.Berlin

Travis Beard

Under Obama, the US government pumped millions into the war in Afghanistan, a tiny portion of which was spent on culture. Even starting-out heavy metal bands could get a subsidy. An Australian soldier becomes the manager of the first local group of foul-mouthed headbangers who dare defy the Taliban. Free admission on Thu 1 Feb.

RocKabul

Zhang Nan

A contemporary version of a young Woody Guthrie, eccentric folkie Ga Song wanders from city to city, scoring gigs wherever he goes. The stubborn loner also struggles with homesickness for his village deep in the back country. When his career just won't budge, he allows himself to be convinced to participate in China’s Got Talent.

IFFR 2025
30 Jan – 9 Feb 2025