Feature Films in 2023 UMFF

2024 Universe Multicultural Film Festival Feature  Films
     Balkanisco
|Turkey| 1:15:00
Director: Tugrul Sarikaya
When a young Turkish immigrant arrives in San Francisco, she finds herself inside an evergrowing Balkan music scene and sets on a quest to explore how Bay Area has become such a hotbed for Balkan music, how it influenced the local music scene and how music travels across borders.
 

Flora
|United States| 01:20:35
Director: Yehuda Sharim
FLORA is a collective memoir interweaving the stories of visionaries and warriors who have to teach themselves about love and tenderness in a world dominated by unnecessary suffering and hurt.

           
 

Gui
|China|1:36:00
Director: Xuan Cao
When his father was diagnosed with a serious illness, Ji'an left home to earn medical expenses and did not return for ten years. One day, his mother informed him that his father had died of illness. Ji'an faced the confusion of his relatives and villagers.

     Maoussi
|France| 1:15:00
Director: Charlotte Schiøler
A dark comedy about the presumptions on love.
Babette unexpectedly finds herself sharing her small Parisian apartment with Edo, a Congolese refugee. When Maoussi, an escaped lab mouse makes an appearance, their lives are turned upside down as they try to navigate cultural misunderstandings and conflicting expectations, about what love and parenthood are supposed to look like in 2023
           
 

 .Mimy & Tony: The Creation of a Dream
|United States/Peru| 01:42:12
Director: Tony Succar, Santiago Díaz
Delve into the creative journey of Mimy and Tony, a remarkable mother-son duo. From Mimy's humble beginnings as a singer to her resurgence on 'La Voz Perú,' this documentary showcases their collaborative Grammy nominated album. With celebrated artists and touching stories woven into each song, it's a testament to their passion and dedication in the world of music

 

Muito Amor – Jews and Judaism in Amazonia
|Isarel| 01:01:15
Director: Malka Shabtay
An Israeli anthropologist has completed a film about the descendants of Moroccan Jews who immigrated to the Amazon region in 1810. The film shares the community's story of resilience, their daily lives, and their deep connection to their Jewish origins, which still exist in their hearts. The documentary features interviews with various individuals and highlights the unique blend of the Jewish identity and local Amazonian cultures. Additionally, it pays tribute to those who have contributed to Jewish life in the region. The soundtrack includes songs by the Israeli-Moroccan-Brazilian singer Lala Tamar, bringing the sounds of Morocco's original Judaism to the Amazon.

           
   

 New Biography of Xishi
|China|1:52:00
Director: Lu Dai
During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Kingdom of Yue was defeated by the Kingdom of Wu in the Battle of Fuju. The Yue girl Xishi fled with her father to the capital to make a living. The general of the Wu Kingdom saw Xishi's beauty and raped her. When Xishi's father tried to stop her, he was poisoned. The generals of the Yue Kingdom, Fan Li, and Wen Zhong, bribed the treacherous minister of the Wu Kingdom, Bo Pi, and let Xishi and other beauties enter the palace as Wu girls in the beauty pageant to seduce King Fu Chai of Wu... In the end, the Wu Kingdom was destroyed.

   

Rapunzel und die Rückkehr der Falken
|Germany| 1:27:58
Director: Christoph Heimer
Once forsaken by her biological parents, Rapunzel lives in a tower with sorceress Eleonor. When Prince Sigismund connects with her, Eleonor's past catches up, leading to their imprisonment. After escaping, Rapunzel and Sigismund reunite but face opposition from Queen Freya. In the final act, Eleonor sacrifices herself to save Rapunzel and restore Sigismund's sight. Guided by love, they vow to leave the past behind with their loyal friend Pip by their side.

           
 

 Septiembre
|Spain| 1:23:00
Director: Carlos Acetuino
After the death of her mother, Alma returns to the town where she has to take care of the family home.
Alex, her first love, never left the town and has built her life there. They meet again after 20 years and for a weekend they return to their adolescence feeling the magic that being together made them. The paths they have taken in their lives and this meeting years later will make them discover who they really are now

 

 Thank You, Amelia Earhart
|United States| 1:26:33
Director: Al Mertens
Health issues are finally forcing the elderly Myrtle out of her house. She's foul-mouthed and bigoted to everyone, including Season, her latest fresh-out-of-school caregiver. The truths the two women learn from each other leave both forever changed.

           
     The Dental Plan
|Canada| 1:34:00
Director: Wayne Diu
An unexpected patient takes a dentist and his assistant hostage, revealing uncomfortable truths about society and -- most of all -- those trapped in the office with him.
   

The Legend of the White Snake
|China|1:30:00
Director: Dawei Yin
In order to repay the kindness of saving her life, the thousand-year-old snake demon Bai Suzhen turned into a human and married her reincarnated benefactor Xu Xian, starting a love story in which "humans and monsters take different paths".

           
 

 UNSTOPPABLE
|China|1:33:00
Director: Feng Yang
In 2080, the earth has become a gathering place for immigrants from various planets. The Pegasus meteor shower suddenly descended on the earth. Haitang and Yiwen discovered that the Phantom Star people who were hit by meteor fragments had mutated. It turns out that Fabiola wanted the earth to become a cultivator for Pegasus plants. Haitang, Yiwen and Qinlong found out the truth and used their courage to save the earth.

     Where Olive Trees Weep
|United States/Palestine| 1:43:14
Director: Zaya Benazzo, Maurizio Benazzo
Where Olive Trees Weep offers a searing window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. It explores themes of loss, trauma, and the quest for justice.
   A love story of two generations
|China| 1:49
Director: Weiji Miao
The once impoverished Hexi Village has actively developed modern aquaculture to get rid of poverty and become rich. Village director Wang Dashun and Zhao Xiaohe, a doctor of aquaculture who returned to his hometown to work, are childhood sweethearts. After resolving the misunderstandings of their parents, they came together and led the villagers to devote themselves to the development of their hometown