Ten-year-old Asalif and his mother have been displaced from their farmland on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by the construction of a condominium. To fight back against those casting him out, Asalif taps into a fantasy of becoming his hero: the lion (“anbessa” in Amharic). Asalif uses his imagination to battle forces beyond his control. He must find the strength that resides in him in order to deal with the tides of change that are usurping a community, a country, and his own identity.
Anbessa Anbessa
Through an intimate coming-of-age story, Anbessa captures one boy taking on modernization on his own terms, revealing a unique and magical perspective on the myth of “progress”.
What's On
Film Under the Stars
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Replacement Screening
Wisdom of Happiness Wisdom of Happiness
Barbara Miller, Philip Delaquis
Monday, 04. 08. 2025 / 17:30 / Main Hall
With disarming wit, the Dalai Lama reflects on balancing millennia-old Tibetan Buddhist traditions with the contemporary values of our globalised society that now struggles to overcome violence and war while standing on the brink of environmental collapse. In this intimate heart-to-heart, the nearly 90-year-old Nobel Peace Laureate and the world’s greatest ambassador for compassion brings a timely message of hope. Wisdom of Happiness blends the Dalai Lama’s inspirational words with stirring images of our planet and newly unearthed archival footage.
Additional Screening
A Real Pain A Real Pain
Jesse Eisenberg
Tuesday, 05. 08. 2025 / 19:00 / Main Hall
Two estranged cousins join a guided tour of Poland to pay tribute to their beloved grandmother. Oscar for the Best Supporting Actor and a nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
Additional Screening
How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Lahn Mah
Pat Boonnitipat
Tuesday, 05. 08. 2025 / 21:00 / Main Hall
A young Thai director wraps important questions about family, intergenerational ties, and the pursuit of happiness into a touching dramedy that broke all box office records at home and became a cultural phenomenon. Bring your grandma – and don’t forget the tissues!