29th edition of IFFK to feature seven films celebrating the vision of women directors

A still from the film Desert of Namibia.

The 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will screen the package ‘Female Gaze’ featuring seven films that celebrate the creative vision of women filmmakers. These films underscore the unique perspectives women bring to cinema, focusing on how they see themselves and their world. 

The Female Gaze line-up includes films by an array of filmmakers from across the globe. Represented in this category are Denise Fernandes (Portugal/Switzerland), Lilja Ingolfsdottir (Norway), Yôko Yamanaka (Japan), Kurdwin Ayub (Iraq/Austria), Louise Courvoisier (France), Iva Radivojevic (Serbia), and Roya Sadat (Afghanistan). Their films – Hanami, Loveable, Desert of Namibia, Moon, Holy Cow, When the Phone Rang, and Sima’s Song – explore diverse themes, including migration, identity, societal norms, and family dynamics. 

Hanami, directed by Denise Fernandes, follows Nana’s journey as she reconnects with her estranged mother in Cape Verde. The film intricately weaves themes of migration and cultural preservation and has been showcased at Locarno and London festivals. Lilja Ingolfsdottir’s Loveable presents the story of Maria, a Norwegian mother struggling to balance her personal and professional life, only to face the turmoil of divorce.

Yôko Yamanaka’s Desert of Namibia is a pulsating narrative about Satsuki, a Japanese teenager challenging societal norms. This film tackles themes of personal freedom and rebellion. In Moon, Kurdwin Ayub portrays the unsettling experiences of Sarah, a martial artist who finds herself isolated and under constant surveillance while training wealthy sisters in the Middle East. The film received the Special Jury Prize at the Locarno Film Festival. 

Louise Courvoisier’s Holy Cow is a poignant coming-of-age drama about Totone, a French teenager who must take responsibility for his younger sister by participating in a cheese competition after the death of their father. When the Phone Rang, directed by Iva Radivojevic, explores the emotional impact of a single phone call on a Serbian family. Drawing from personal experiences, the film delves into memory, displacement, and identity.  

Roya Sadat’s Sima’s Song is an evocative Afghan drama that highlights love, family, and the challenges faced by a young woman in a conservative society.

The Female Gaze at IFFK seeks to highlight the power of storytelling through a woman’s lens, challenging stereotypes and deepening the audience’s understanding of human experiences, according to the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, the organisors of the festival.