Helen Mirren, the most versatile of British actresses, has played diverse roles in her long and distinguished career, from sexually charged Shakespearian roles to secret agents to Queen Elizabeth II. This documentary paints a portrait of a strong woman, guided by her feminist convictions as a performer and in her private life.
Doaa el-Adl, the first woman to be awarded the esteemed Journalistic Distinction in Caricature, serves as a catalyst for transformation within the predominantly male-dominated realm of Egyptian political cartoonists. Challenging patriarchal norms, she routinely confronts censorship, harassment, and even threats to her life. In a remarkable fusion of documentary, cartoons, and animation, Egyptian director Nada Riyadh breathes life into el-Adl's most renowned works. This dynamic and fearless presentation delves into the issue of violence against women, stretching the boundaries of freedom of speech in a society often characterized by restrictions. Through her exceptional talent, el-Adl not only champions women's rights but also serves as an inspiration for societal change.
Amany Al-Ali stands out as one of Syria's few female cartoonists, residing in her father's home in Idlib, the last city unconquered by Assad's forces. Like her remaining neighbours she's submitted to relentless Russian airstrikes and caught between advancing troops and extremist groups. Despite acclaim for her art, she faces threats, condemnation, and degradation, causing her to contemplate leaving. Ironically, her artwork has graced galleries in France and Italy but never received exposure within Syria's borders. The film captures her endeavor to organize her inaugural exhibition in Idlib. This experience compels her to confront the harsh realities of a city defined by bombings and male interference. While organizing drawing lessons for women and girls, comforting her young niece, and sharing her story with the documentary crew, Amany's outlook on the future gradually erodes.
Aiken, suffering from Alzheimer's disease, returns to his former family home to try and keep hold of his memories.
In the middle of preparing his apartment to have Mira live with him, Luc escapes to Svalbard. Stumbling drunk out of an Artic “Oktoberfest”, Luc meets Mike, a stranger who lives in an isolated cabin in the Arctic desert. Mike mysteriously abandons Luc in mid conversation. Intrigued, Luc decides to find Mike. Along the way, he meets Ingrid, a Norwegian teacher. Luc rushes into the footsteps of Mike who remains elusive and volatile, Luc hunts a shadow, his own possibly.
Mykis, a native teenager, accidentally causes the spirit of a faceless young woman to appear. Both end up making a pact: to regain her ability to dance, Mykis will help the spirit to recover her identity.
Paris, 1954. The story of the meeting, known thanks to the fortuitous discovery of a forgotten notebook, full of notes and photographs, between a white British aristocrat, Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter, writer and jazz patron, and a talented black pianist, Thelonious Monk, one of the best bebop jazz musicians of all time; a prodigious union of wills that overcame the most extreme prejudices of the very conservative US society.
Rachita Taneja, creator of SANITARY PANELS, a popular stick figure cartoon series known for its sharp socio-political commentary, has captivated young, liberal Indians. In December 2020, she faced legal prosecution for three of her cartoons, prompting a need for extreme caution not only in her art but also in her involvement in this documentary. The challenges and uncertainties they encounter during filming strengthen the bond between Rachita and the filmmaker, fostering introspection on their beliefs, privileges, and inner struggles. The wait for the legal outcome adds stress, hindering Rachita's work. She seeks guidance and support from like-minded individuals dedicated to amplifying their voices. The film explores Rachita's inner world and her creative expression, depicting a dystopian narrative where freedom of speech rapidly erodes. This documentary showcases the resilience of a young Indian woman facing persecution and censorship with humor and unflinching honesty.
Maremoto (Mar) is a young illustrator in Mexico City struggling to make sense of a town where 11 women are murdered daily, and 95,000 people have gone missing, with no one held accountable. Her feminist drawings support her community in dealing with the emotional trauma left by the femicides and galvanize them to fight to get the government forces to act. With her work, Mar also creates a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community and teaches self-acceptance."
Iryna Tsilyk: Red Zone is an animated documentary film essay in which I attempt to reflect on the question of what it means to be a woman in times of war. The Red Zone is a dangerous area on the frontline where hostilities take place. However, it is also a place of insecurity for those who live in the shadow of a constant threat. We are a generation of people with emergency backpacks on our shoulders. As a modern woman, the wife of a soldier, a mother, a filmmaker, a poet, a friend to many militaries, and a great-granddaughter of those who suffered in other wars and Stalinist prisoner camps, I have something to say about the feeling of insecurity.
