29th IFFK to showcase female filmmakers

T'puram: The 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will screen the package ‘Female Gaze', featuring seven films that celebrate the creative visions 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. 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. When the Phone Rang, directed by Iva Radivojevic, explores the emotional impact of a single phone call on a Serbian family. 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 aims to highlight the power of storytelling through a woman's lens.