8th women film festival in Tuebingen, Germany 2008
The
annual 8th film festival Women's Worlds 2008 welcomes young Iranian
director Samira Makhmalbaf, multiple award-winner in Cannes, Venice
and Locarno as the star guest. The daughter of Mohsen Makhmalbaf, who
himself attended Women's Worlds in 2005, was voted among the 40 most
important directors of the world. While in Tübingen, Samira will
accompany a retrospective and host a workshop for young filmmakers
of the region.
Detailed information (PDF):
Among
30 feature and documentary films from more than 20 countries are once
again many award-winners from renowned film festivals. As an example,
Ken Loach's "It's a free world" about two women launching
a recruiting agency and getting lost within the temptations of the
global economy - awarded three prizes in Venice 2007 - will be screened.
The Chinese feature film "Zuo You - In Love we trust" is
set in an entirely different atmosphere. A desperate mother who is
driven by every mean to save her sick child no matter what the cost-
even if this means that she has to conceive another child with her
already divorced ex-husband. The script was awarded the silver bear
at the Berlinale in 2008.
A
special treasure in the program is the Polish film "Time to die" in
black and white. It tells the story of a fierce old lady who does not allow
her newly-rich neighbors to forcefully relocate her- and won four awards
in Poland.
Regional
focuses are on the one hand the situation of women in Africa - accompanying
the TERRE DES FEMMES campaign against female genital mutilation starting
in November. However, not only AIDS and FGM are characteristic traits
for the women of this continent. An impressive strength is demonstrated
by the female president of war-destroyed Liberia and by dedicated artists
and mothers who prepare their children to face a life in their absence.
On the other hand the regional focus lies on Afghanistan with the majority
of the films from or about Samira Makhmalbaf. With these films, the
once more precarious situation of Afghan women is focused. Independent
US-productions will be screened, among them on November 4th, the night
of the US presidential elections, the feature film "Iron Jawed
Angels" about American suffragettes stunningly performed by head
actress Hilary Swank.
Thematic focuses are different aspects of violence against women and these women's efforts to resist. A conspicuous interrelation can be found within the problematics of stalking, honor-killings and the absent protection and rights of victims worldwide. Impressing Indian women, however, also show us in the documentary "Shortcut to Justice" how - despite a malfunctioning judicial system - women's power can be established in order to protect endangered and threatened women and to accompany them in solidarity.