“The FFFM is dead, long live feminism! »

The Feminist Film Festival begins its final edition

Silvia Galipeau
The Press

The sixth edition of the Montreal Feminist Film Festival (FFFM) is launched these days in a mixed atmosphere, both sadly funereal and still just as militant.

“The FFFM is dead, long live feminism! It is more or less in these terms that this final edition was announced in a press release, against a backdrop of post-pandemic, cultural funding crisis, in a context at the height of inflation: “Refusing to ‘offer starvation wages to his team […], the cultural workers of the FFFM preferred to hara-kirize themselves than to contribute to the ambient culture of the Quebec cultural milieu, which cruelly underpays its workers to the detriment of their health and of the organizations with which they collaborate. Out of respect for the value of the work of women and marginalized people, we would rather pack up than exploit them. »

Met at her office (read: at her home, in a work area set up in her bedroom), the founder of the festival – not to be confused with the Filministes, another Montreal feminist festival –, Magenta Baribeau, is having a go. “It’s sure it’s sad, she says, it’s a project that I have been carrying out for six years. The lack of funding was the final nail in the coffin…”

She has been working here on a voluntary basis since 2017. Like all its collaborators, whether in programming, logistics or on the board of directors.

She has also been hoping for grants for six years. Objective: adequately pay everyone (about ten people, in addition to paying a sum to all the participating filmmakers). Ironically, she finally got a small envelope this year, largely insufficient for the needs of the cause: $8,000 from the Conseil des arts de Montréal. “That’s half of what I asked for…”

In the current context of inflation, Magenta Baribeau finds itself in a dead end. She can no longer ask for volunteer help. And out of the question to pay “a starvation salary”, as she says. “It’s not feminist…”

It must be said that in addition, this year, “everything costs more”, she continues. If it managed to symbolically finance its filmmakers in previous years through ticket sales or t-shirts, that is simply no longer possible. “Rooms, promotion, even t-shirts and bags are three times more expensive than three years ago. It is unlivable. »

And everyone risks suffering from it, she believes.

She does not hide that the fact that there is a second feminist festival does not help her. “For funders, this is a problem. They mix us up. But the public knows the difference, she believes, between the Filministes, more mainstream, and her festival, more militant.

Moreover, all the festivals face the same abyss, it should be remembered. “I work at another festival—Presence Aboriginal—and I know how low the wages are. […] If the biggest festivals are not capable, how can we do it? »

While it certainly did not expect to have to shut down for economic reasons, Magenta Baribeau can nevertheless bow out on several great successes. First, from the start (with the exception of 2021, a “really difficult” year for culture in general), its rooms have always been full. “We even refused people! She has also always been pleased to present to the Montreal public these “little gems” discovered elsewhere. In addition to inviting (even propelling) foreign filmmakers. “We allowed a lot of people to discover that feminist cinema is not boring! […] It’s not heavy. We make sure to present optimistic films that bring hope. And this ultimate edition will be no exception.

The Montreal Feminist Film Festival takes place from September 7 to 10 with screenings at Casa del Popolo, Casa d’Italia and Cinéma Public, in addition to a few films offered online.

Four films or screenings not to be missed

Life on Tapeby Melanie Lischker

This is Magenta Baribeau’s “coup de coeur”. This German documentary feature (presented in its original version with English subtitles) tells the story of filmmaker Melanie Lischker’s quest to understand and decipher her mother, who died in her youth, and “reconnect” with her. Through family archives, she discovers here the patriarchal Germany of the 1970s.

Offered online September 7-11

“Reproductive rights under threat”

“It says what it says, and it’s extremely topical,” comments Magenta Baribeau, summarizing the short films presented during the opening night on Wednesday. Films from El Salvador, Guatemala, Poland and even from here that address issues of access to abortion, contraception or health care in general, among young trans people in particular.

Wednesday, September 7 at 7 p.m.

Incorrigibleby Karin Lee

Several short and medium-length fiction films are also in the spotlight on Friday, under the theme “More true than nature”. Among these, Incorrigible, by Canadian Karin Lee, tells the story of Velma Demerson, imprisoned in 1939 for daring to marry a Chinese man. Sixty years later, she sued the Canadian government for wrongful imprisonment.

Friday, September 9 at 6:30 p.m., in the presence of the director

“Sex, vulvas, masturbation and orgasms”

“Warning, this is not a session of porn movies! », Specifies the program. Rather a short film and three documentaries by filmmakers who are particularly interested in vulvas. An invitation to learn and laugh at the same time.

Thursday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m.