July 16, 2026
The Blast From the Past programme at DokuFest celebrates works of world cinema through a collaboration with Lumbardhi Foundation. Conceived in 2022 to mark the 70th anniversary of Lumbardhi Cinema in Prizren, the initiative began with extensive research into every film screened at the cinema over decades, culminating in a series of special re-screenings. That project laid the foundation for an ongoing collaboration with DokuFest, dedicated to bringing timeless cinematic classics back to the big screen.
Ousmane Sembène's Black Girl follows Diouana, a young Senegalese woman who leaves home in search of a better life in France, only to confront the realities of exploitation and alienation. The first feature film from Sub-Saharan Africa to gain international acclaim, Sembène's landmark debut exposes the inequalities embedded in colonial and European social structures through a minimalist yet emotionally devastating cinematic language.
From Senegal and France, the journey continues to colonial Cameroon with Claire Denis' Chocolat, a subtle meditation on identity, power, repression, and unspoken desire. Through silence, gesture and suspenseful imagery Denis crafts an intimate portrait of colonial life, revealing the emotional tensions that shape relationships across racial and social divides.
Completing this cinematic triangle is Sergei Parajanov's The Color of Pomegranates, a singular masterpiece that transports audiences to 18th-century Armenia. A visually breathtaking and deeply poetic meditation on the life of the Armenian poet and musician Sayat-Nova.
This year, audiences can further explore Parajanov's cinematic universe through Parajanov Triptych, a dedicated programme celebrating one of cinema's most visionary and influential directors.
