Last year, by analogy with similar initiatives in other art forms, Sabzian created a new yearly tradition: Sabzian invites a guest to write a State of Cinema and to choose an accompanying film. Once a year, the art of film is held against the light: a speech that challenges cinema, calls it to account, points the way or refuses to define it, puts it to the test and on the line, summons or embraces it, praises or curses it. A plea, a declaration, a manifest, a programme, a testimony, a letter, an apologia or maybe even an indictment. In any case, a call to think about what cinema means, could mean or should mean today.

After the beautiful first edition with Sarah Vanagt, Sabzian is honoured to welcome filmmaker Claudio Pazienza for the State of Cinema 2019. He has chosen Dolgie provody [The Long Farewell] (1971) by Kira Muratova.

This evening is a collaboration between Sabzian and CINEMATEK. The tickets will be available from the end of February onwards.