Goteborg Film Festival 2025: Disobedience in Focus

Nov. 13, 2024

In 2025, defiance will be brought sharply into focus at the Göteborg Film Festival. Under the heading Focus: Disobedience, the power of civil resistance will be explored, as well as questions like: when does rebellion become a moral obligation? When can it go too far? And is the flouting of laws and regulations a reasonable price to pay for change in a democratic society?  

History is made up of acts of disobedience, both big and small, that started chain reactions of consequences. One man who said “no” when everyone else was saying “yes”; a woman who refused to give up her seat on the bus; a girl who started a school strike on Fridays, and another who kept going into class. In a world which has become characterized by increasing polarization, tendencies towards authoritarianism, and the climate crisis, unruliness has become a decisive factor on the global agenda.   

In a world marked by increasing polarization, authoritarian tendencies, and climate crisis, civil resistance has become a crucial factor in the global conversation. In this context, the line between protest and lawful resistance can blur, as acts of resistance often require a certain degree of disobedience. 
 
The history of cinema also contains countless stories of people who dared to break the rules, question authority, and stand up for their convictions: even when the risks in doing so were great. And film has always been a powerful medium through which we can challenge norms, question authority, and process the currents that shape society.  

Pia Lundberg, artistic director of the Göteborg Film Festival said:

“During the 48th Göteborg Film Festival, we will explore the concept of disobedience by showing contemporary films that explore the theme, and highlighting their significance in society. We look forward to discussing, problematizing, and mobilizing our defiance during the festival."  

 

The festival’s poster has been designed by Britta Marakatt-Labba 

The festival’s poster has been created by Britta Marakatt-Labba, an artist who has herself been engaged with activism for a long time. 

Britta Marakatt-Labba said:

"I was born into a fight. My artistry began in Alta in northern Norway, when we were demonstrating for the rights of the Samí people. I’ve always believed that being disobedient is the right thing to do when you are righting wrongs, and I’ll fight for these things for as long as I live. That’s why it feels great to collaborate with the Göteborg Film Festival." 

 

Pia Lundberg said:

"Britta Marakatt-Labba is an inspiration for the festival’s theme. Her artistry and story are permeated by bravery and a struggle against injustice. She has lived and breathed resistance and insubordination in a way that few others have, and her perspective and commitment give the festival’s focus a solid grounding in genuine struggle and civil courage."

 

Nedan släpper vi fyra filmer som kommer att ingå i Focus: Disobedience. Fler filmer, samtal och specialvisningar som kommer inkluderas i fokussekBelow, we are releasing four films that will be part of Focus: Disobedience. More films, discussions, and special screenings that will be included in the Focus section will be announced along with the festival’s program release on January 7th.tionen offentliggörs i samband med festivalens programsläpp den 7 januari.