Preparing to ignite passion for urban exploration, Cinema Arta will host the fourth edition of the UrbanEye Film Festival from April 2 to April 6, 2025. This year's festival embraces the theme of the "common good" and the city as both a space of solidarity and tension, providing thought-provoking insights on how urban spaces shape our lives.
The festival's objective is to open up discussions around significant issues affecting communities globally. It will feature an impressive selection of diverse documentaries from various parts of the world, alongside archival materials focusing on urban solidarity, heritage, collective housing, accessibility, inclusion, and civic responsibility. These films aim to draw attention to pressing topics and encourage reflection on the living spaces we inhabit.
Among the highlighted films is Vitić Dances, which transports audiences to the heart of Zagreb, where artist Boris Bakal advocates for the restoration of the modernist masterpiece, engaging local residents to reclaim their heritage. Another fascinating documentary, Locuind împreună. Povestea grupului De Warren, showcases how friends transform their vision of sustainable living and community-building in Amsterdam, positively impacting their local environment.
Additional screenings include Castelul lui Charlotte and Bunicul și pontonul, both celebrating community efforts to protect cultural identities. Meanwhile, Dispariția lui Robin Hood takes viewers through the storied past of Robin Hood Gardens, exploring its ambitious design by architects Alison and Peter Smithson within the utopian spirit of the 1970s. The film ponders what happens to such important architectural experiments when they succumb to decline and demolition.
Continuing the thematic exploration, Puterea renovării offers perspectives from experts across Europe on how demolishing architectural structures leads to significant losses of housing, jobs, energy, and history. This calls for urgent consideration of sustainable solutions to urban development.
Documentary Scuze, nu te-am văzut! provides impactful insight on accessibility within urban design, encouraging the audience to see their cities through the eyes of individuals with mobility challenges.
Each festival edition pays homage to noteworthy architects, with Arhitectura lui B.V. Doshi inviting attendees to witness the creative universe of the celebrated Indian architect. Simultaneously, Fackelmann highlights the visionary Hans Fackelmann, regarded as an influential architectural figure in Banat.
Filmmaker Rem Koolhaas is another focal point, with two documentaries showcasing his individual housing projects: Locul de origine: construind o casă în Austria, which chronicles the challenges of building on narrow terrain, and Koolhaas: viața ascunsă a locuinței, offering unconventional perspectives on one of his masterpieces as seen through the eyes of the housekeeper.
The UrbanEye Film Festival also incorporates curated programs of archival films named Explorări ale orașului socialist and Oraș, artă și artiștii. These aim to digitize and contextualize rare materials, adding depth to the festival's offerings.
Expect vibrant activities beyond traditional screenings, as the festival provides guided architecture tours exploring the historical aspects of the city, engaging debates featuring special guests such as directors, film critics, artists, and architects. There will also be workshops for children and opportunities for socializing, including brunch gatherings and themed parties at ARTA Café.
Ticket prices are very accessible: full price subscriptions cost 80 lei, with reduced tickets available for students and seniors at 60 lei. Individual screening tickets are available for 25 lei, or reduced to 20 lei for eligible attendees. Details about the expected program, screening times, and special events can be found on the festival's official website at www.urbaneye.ro. Tickets and subscriptions are available through Eventbook at eventbook.ro/festival/urbaneye-film-festival-cluj-napoca and can also be purchased at Cinema ARTA, located at str. Universității, nr. 3.
The UrbanEye Film Festival serves as both an artistic celebration and a platform for dialogue, aiming to deepen our engagement with architecture, city life, and social relevance. Join the conversation and experience how film and art can effectively illuminate the realities of urban living.