Category Archives: Women,s voices

Documentary Section, Women,s voices

A Boy Called Piano (Nina Nawalowalo) New Zealand

A Boy Called Piano
Nina Nawalowalo
New Zealand. 2023. 60 min

A Boy Called Piano – The Story of Fa’amoana John Luafutu tells the remarkable story of Fa’amoana’s time as a state ward in the 1960’s and the intergenerational impacts of these experiences. Growing from the long term collaboration with Fa’amoana Luafutu and the Luafutu Aiga, the film blends dramatised sequences alongside powerful interviews and beautiful aerial and underwater photography – translating Nina Nawalowalo’s celebrated visual storytelling to the screen for the first time. The Conch has been honoured to walk alongside Fa’amoana and the Luafutu Aiga as they courageously bring their untold story into the light, with the kaupapa of connecting directly with survivors – and illuminating the survivor experience in wider society.

“I began in innocence, new born, a blank page. The story was written, the story of thousands of children, has to be heard. Our History must be faced. May the truth set us free.” Fa’amoana John Luafutu

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Documentary Section, Women,s voices

Postcards from the Verge (Natalia Koniarz) Poland

Postcards from the Verge
Natalia Koniarz
Poland. 2023. 40 min

A young Polish couple embark on a long bike ride through the Andes. The dangers of this undertaking become apparent as lightning strikes around them, the cold takes its toll and their muscles begin to seize up. They try to cross the border into Bolivia in the back of a truck, while a soldier has his gun at the ready.

Despite the growing tensions between them, the journey also proves to be a way to get to know themselves better. The young man spends a lot of time on the phone with his parents, who are getting a divorce, and he sadly realizes that home is no longer home. As he gradually breaks free from the ties to his parents, he strengthens his bond with his girlfriend.

Under these extreme conditions, the couple film breathtaking shots of the endlessly deserted mountain landscape, creating a visually stunning story about growing up and cementing a relationship in the midst of a crisis.

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- Official Section -, Women,s voices

Dear Latika (Kanchan Pant) India. Official Section

Dear Latika
Kanchan Pant
India. 2023. 105 min

The narrative revolves around Latika, a simple, optimistic young woman. She represents one of the countless girls whose societal norms forbid them from experiencing love, intimacy, or friendship with a man prior to marriage. Strangely, these same girls are expected to effortlessly transform into sensual goddesses overnight upon entering matrimony.

Mayank resides as a tenant in Latika’s house, where their paths fortuitously cross. Latika discerns Mayank’s bitterness stemming from his alcoholic father and his own insecurities. Initially taken aback by his reserved demeanour, Latika extends her hand in friendship. Through their burgeoning companionship, Mayank finds solace and validation, ultimately falling in love with her.

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NEWS, Women,s voices

Jane Campion, Lifetime Achievement Award at Imagineindia 2024

Jane Campion has been given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 edition of Imagineindia International Film Festival to be held in Madrid.

This is what she said to Imagineindia:

“I went to India in my 30’s and I met yoga mother or Mrs. Dayas. She lived in Jaipur and she taught me yoga. Her and her family also visited me to Sydney AUSTRALIA and one way or another We tried to see each other every year. When I was developing the idea of HOLY SMOKE, which I wrote with my sister Anna Campion, I partly wanted to do it so I could see my Indian family and they could help me with the filming so that’s really my connection to India it was all through Yoga mother and the DAYA’S family of Jaipur. My friendship with them and my love of India which is on going has really enriched my life.”

Elizabeth Jane Campion  (born 30 April 1954) is a New Zealand filmmaker. She is best known for writing and directing the critically acclaimed films The Piano (1993) and The Power of the Dog (2021), for which she has received two Academy Awards (including Best Director for the latter), two BAFTA Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Campion was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (DNZM) in the 2016 New Year Honours, for services to film.

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NEWS, Women,s voices

Ruchika Oberoi, jury at Imagineindia

Ruchika Oberoi is a Film Director and Screenwriter. Her debut feature film ISLAND CITY premiered at Venice Days, 72nd Venice Film Festival (2015), winning the FEDEORA Critics Award for Best Debut Director. The film traveled to over 30 International Film Festivals, including Karlovy Vary, Tallinn Black Nights, Stockholm, Cairo, Warsaw and Beijing. She won the Best Screenplay award at the New York Indian Film Festival and the Best Director award at ImagineIndia Film Festival, Madrid. She was nominated for the Transilvania Trophy at Transilvania International Film Festival, Romania and for Best Film at Bratislava, Slovakia. She was also nominated for Best Debut Director at the Filmfare and Star Screen Awards in India. The film stars Vinay Pathak, Amruta Subhash and Tannishtha Chatterjee.

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Short Films Section, Women,s voices

MYDEAR (Kim Sohee / Jeon Dohee) Korea

MYDEAR
Kim Sohee / Jeon Dohee
Korea. 2023. 24 min

In 2027, Ga-eul, a hearing-impaired college student, learns about the app MYDEAR and becomes immersed in conversations with an AI presence. The app’s features easily help her overcome her disability, and the AI is affectionate and considerate, like a boyfriend. Director Jeon Dohee’s performance, woven into the film’s steady rhythm, amplifies the audiences’ sense of empathy.

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Women,s voices

Keeping the Music Alive ( S.E.Younsi/M.Gahlot) France, Singapore

Keeping the Music Alive
Sarah E. Younsi/Mandakini Gahlot
France, Singapore. 2023. 77 min

Zohra, Afghanistan’s award-winning first all-female orchestra, has captivated audiences around the world with its musical talent. However, the return of the Taliban, with its rigid and damaging views on women and music, now puts the ensemble in grave danger. With the fall of Kabul, members still in the country have gone into hiding, while those who fled are advocating internationally to rescue their fellow musicians. The question remains: despite the challenges, will they be able to keep their music alive?

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Documentary Section, Women,s voices

The List (Hana Makhmalbaf) Iran

The List
Hana Makhmalbaf
Iran. 2023. 65 min

In the course of a few days, with the final withdrawal of the international forces from Kabul, the lives of millions of Afghan people suddenly changes for the worse.
Overnight, with the return of the Taliban to power, many artists and filmmakers in the country find themselves at risk of being executed. In an attempt to escape to safety, like many others, they rush to the international airport to board the last few leaving planes.

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NEWS, Women,s voices

Rituparna Sengupta will be President of Jury at Imagineindia 2024

Rituparna Sengupta is Indian actress and producer who is known for her work in Bengali, Odia and Hindi cinema. One of the most successful actresses of Bengali cinema, she rode the crest of her box office success in the late 1990s. She has won a National Award, two Filmfare Awards, four BFJA Awards and four Anandalok Awards.

Rituparna was born on 7 November 1970. She was interested in the arts since a young age and learned painting, dancing, singing and handicrafts at a painting school, called Chitrangshu. She studied at Carmel High school, and later graduated in history from Lady Brabourne College. She began studying Modern History for an M.A. at University of Calcutta, but had to interrupt studies to concentrate on her career as an actress.

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