HIFF45 brings a stunning collection of European storytelling that spans from the landscapes of Italy to the stark beauty of Norway. France leads with two distinctive entries, the psychological mystery, A PRIVATE LIFE and the animated film, ARCO. The France-Spain co-production SIRÂT, set in Southern Morocco, bridges cultural borders. British cinema makes its mark with the period drama HEDDA and the UK-Australian collaboration THE GOLDEN SPURTLE. Italy’s LA GRAZIA promises emotional depth, Germany’s SOUND OF FALLING offers its own unique perspective, and Norway’s SENTIMENTAL VALUE rounds out this diverse showcase. Together, these eight films represent the breadth and vitality of contemporary European filmmaking, each bringing distinct national flavors while exploring universal human experiences.
A PRIVATE LIFE – France
Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski
October 19, 3:30pm | October 23, 6:15pm — Consolidated Kahala
Jodie Foster delivers her first French-language performance as Dr. Lilian Steiner, an American psychoanalyst in Paris whose life unravels after a patient’s sudden death. Suspecting the supposed suicide was murder, Lilian embarks on a risky investigation that collides with her own familial and professional turmoil. A PRIVATE LIFE is a playful yet sinister mystery features a stellar French ensemble including Daniel Auteuil, Vincent Lacoste, Virginie Efira, and Mathieu Amalric.
ARCO
Directed by Ugo Bienvenu
October 19, 1:30pm | October 25, 11:00am — Consolidated Kahala
In 2075, a 10-year-old girl, Iris, sees a mysterious boy wearing a rainbow jumpsuit falling from the sky. It’s Arco. He comes from a distant, idyllic future where time travel is possible. Iris takes him in and will do whatever it takes to help him return home. Natalie Portman leads the voice cast and produces this French animated magical sci-fi film rooted in Miyazaki and Shinkai.
HEDDA – United Kingdom
Directed by Nia DaCosta
October 18, 7:30pm | October 23, 12:00pm — Consolidated Kahala
Transplanted to mid-century England, CANDYMAN and the upcoming 28 YEARS LATER: THE BONE TEMPLE director Nia DaCosta’s adaptation is a bold reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s play. Hedda (Tessa Thompson, in a magnetic performance in a fresh, feminist game of power) is a woman trapped in a loveless marriage, as she navigates repressed desires and a past love while manipulating those around her, leading to manipulation, betrayal, and ultimately, tragedy.
LA GRAZIA – Italy
Directed by Paolo Sorrentino
October 21, 1:00pm | October 22, 2:00pm — Consolidated Kahala
LA GRAZIA reunites director Paolo Sorrentino with actor Toni Servillo (THE GREAT BEAUTY). Servillo stars as Italian President Mariano De Santis, a leader nearing the end of his term. Nicknamed “Cemento armato” for his unyielding will, he now faces solitude, grief, and the burden of legacy. As he contemplates pardons and a decisive final bill, questions of power, morality, and humanity converge. Elegantly staged across Rome and Turin, Sorrentino delivers a poignant meditation on leadership, love, and the elusive grace of farewell.
SIRÂT – France, Spain
Directed by Oliver Laxe
October 23, 4:45pm | October 26, 5:15pm — Consolidated Kahala
SENTIMENTAL VALUE – Norway, Denmark, France, Germany
Directed by Joachim Trier
October 17, 3:30pm | October 23, 2:00pm — Consolidated Kahala
In the mountains of southern Morocco, a father and son search for Mar — their missing daughter and sister — last seen at a rave months ago. Among pounding beats and dust, they follow a group of ravers to one final party deep in the desert. As the journey pushes them into scorching, unforgiving terrain, hope collides with survival in SIRĀT — a visceral, unapologetic cinematic experience of man versus nature’s cruelty, in the vein of Sorcerer and Mad Max. Best approached with as little information as possible.
Sisters Nora and Agnes reunite with their estranged father, the charismatic Gustav, a once-renowned director who offers stage actress Nora a role in what he hopes will be his comeback film. When Nora turns it down, she soon discovers he has given her part to an eager young Hollywood star. Suddenly, the two sisters must navigate their complicated relationship with their father — and deal with an American star dropped right into the middle of their complex family dynamics.
SOUND OF FALLING – Germany
Directed by Mascha Schilinski
October 20, 6:00pm | October 24, 6:45pm — Consolidated Kahala
Over the course of a century, as four girls from different time periods experience their youth on a German farm, their lives become intertwined until time seems to dissolve, crafting a hauntingly lyrical portrait of girlhood across time. As time blurs and generations echo one another, the film becomes a meditation on memory, identity, and the quiet, enduring presence of place. Directed by Mascha Schilinski, THE SOUND OF FALLING won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
THE GOLDEN SPURTLE – United Kingdom, Australia
Directed by Constantine Costi
October 22, 4:30pm | October 25, 3:30pm — Consolidated Kahala / November 9, 2:30pm — Waimea Kahilu Theater
Dating back to the Neolithic age, porridge may be humble, but in the Scottish Highlands it inspires passion, rivalry, and community pride. Each year, the quiet village of Carrbridge becomes the center of the culinary world with the World Porridge Making Championships, where competitors from around the globe vie for the coveted Golden Spurtle. For beloved local Charlie Miller, facing retirement and failing health, the competition is about more than oats—it’s about legacy. Fellow villager Ian Bishop sees it as his last shot at glory, while reigning champion Lisa Williams defends her crown against daring newcomers eager to rewrite tradition. Brimming with eccentric humor and Highland charm, THE GOLDEN SPURTLE celebrates resilience, rivalry, and the simple joy of a steaming bowl.
