Between 1968 and 1977, there wasn’t just an increase in the number of campaigns conducted by the New Left on the streets of Italy, new forms of cinematic mass communication also sprung up alongside them. Labor disputes and police violence found their way into the films of the New Left, with feminist groups drawing attention to female living realities and themes such as abortion or machismo. The anti-psychiatry movement had a greater effect in Italy than in other countries, which ultimately brought about the abolition of closed psychiatric clinics. The films of the Italian New Left were a laboratory of cinematic forms. Prints from the Arsenal archive make up the bulk of the program put together by Cecilia Valenti and Fabian Tietke, which is supplemented with additional works by Aamod (Archivio audiovisivo del movimento operaio e democratico) and Cineteca Nazionale, and placed in a broader context by various guests and introductions.

OUR MADNESS by João Viana has received the Award for Best Portuguese Feature Film at IndieLisboa. André Gil Mata was awarded Best Director for his film DRVO (TREE). And AN ELEPHANT SITTING STILL by Hu Bo received the Universities Award.

All three films had their world premieres as part of this year's Forum programme.

Gerd Kroske's SPK KOMPLEX (SPK Complex) can be seen in selected cinemas as of April 19.

The film, which premiered as part of this year's Forum programme, examines a little known chapter in West German history in impressive, unpretentious fashion. A precise picture of the social climate leading up to the German Autumn emerges from painstakingly researched documents as well as from conversations with former SPK members.

Gerd Kroske will be presenting his film personally in some places, e.g. in Berlin's fsk cinema on April 21 and at the Wolf cinema on April 24.