Moldox turns 10: Five must-see films at the 2025 edition
The Moldox International Documentary Film Festival kicks off today at Cineplex Loteanu in Chișinău. Over five days, from November 26 to 30, 2025, audiences will have the opportunity to view 27 feature-length documentaries and 6 short films. These productions, both from Moldova and around the globe, explore themes such as freedom, memory, trauma, dignity, resilience, and our quest for meaning in a chaotic world.
This year's edition features the theme "Chaos: Reinventing Reality" and is, according to the organizers, the most ambitious festival yet. The selected films serve as exercises in lucidity and empathy, presenting the harsh realities of the present with both a critical eye and a sense of hope.
Film critic and festival programmer Marin Basarab has curated and recommends five must-see titles this year. Each of these films invites viewers to see the world from a new perspective.
"Flowers of Ukraine" – A portrait of female resistance
This film is like a breath of fresh air, featuring exotic imagery and energetic editing. "Flowers of Ukraine" tells the story of Natalia Yurchenko, a woman who battles both the oppressive system and invaders. How can one maintain optimism amidst injustice, death, and pain? Natalia demonstrates that even in the face of existential threats, we can still love life, smile, and joke. It is a film about courage, hope, and the determination to never succumb to evil.
"Trains" – A century of history told without words
This contemplative journey through the 20th century is composed entirely of archival images. The film juxtaposes moments of joy and despair, encouraging viewers to reflect on the century's great discoveries and tragedies through powerful visuals that speak without narration.
“Cutting Through Rocks” – Education and freedom in Iran
This profound portrait focuses on Sara Shahverdi, an Iranian woman committed to educating girls in contemporary Iran within a framework of freedom. The film provides a painful insight into the current state of Iranian society, where gender equality is nearly non-existent and women are often relegated to subordinate roles within a rigid patriarchy.
“Redlight to Limelight” – The voices of invisible women in India
This fascinating documentary explores the lives of sex workers and their children in Kolkata's red-light district. The film impresses with its sensitive direction and the thoughtful way it presents its subjects, offering an intimate perspective on marginalized women in Indian society.
“The Voice of Hind Rajab” – A cry that cannot be ignored
Awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, this film recounts the tragic story of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed by the Israeli army. It is a documentary that leaves no room for neutrality and lingers in the viewer's mind long after watching, highlighting the tragedies faced by children caught in armed conflicts.
According to the organizers, "Each screening helps us explore the darker sides of reality and encourages us to engage in a collective dialogue about the issues that concern us as a society." The program for the 10th edition of the Moldox Festival features five recommended documentaries, alongside numerous films from Moldova and around the world, most of which are premiere screenings in the country.
In addition to the documentaries, the festival's full program includes film workshops and masterclasses led by industry professionals. It was inaugurated with an exhibition titled "10 Years of Moldox in 10 Posters" at the Cărturești Bookstore. This exhibition also features a bookshelf containing titles in Romanian, Russian, and English on film theory, photography, history, and war.
The festival will take place from November 26 to 30, 2025, at the Cineplex Loteanu in Chișinău. For the schedule, screening times, and related events, please visit the Moldox Program.
