Women are behind the camera in all the films screened at the Filministes festival, which kicks off in Montreal on March 8, International Women’s Day. The films they present lift the veil on the condition of refugee or feminist pornography, through day care centers open 24 hours a day to serve women night workers.
This year, the direction of the festival emphasizes films with a political scope, which are always accompanied by discussions. Opening, the documentary escape, by French director Neary Adeline Hay, tells the story of her mother, who fled Cambodia from Pol Pot. The director and her mother will also be present in Montreal to present the film and discuss its themes.
The choice of programming is driven by political change
Another image of pornography
Filministes also presents six series of short films brought together around different themes. Back this year, the Filminounes, pornographic films made by women, are presented at the L’Amour cinema. All the rest of the program is also on view at the Ausgang Plaza, rue Saint-Hubert.
“Pornography is often made by men and for men,” explains Maha Farah Elmir, one of the five co-directors of the festival.
“The common point of the films we present is that there are women who are behind and in front of the camera. There are bodies and entities of different kinds. This contrasts with more traditional porn. It takes exploded forms, more experimental, more sensory, and more evocative. »
These short films will be accompanied by discussions in which female directors will take part, as well as a sexologist and an “intimacy coordinator”. “His job is to go to the filming locations” to ensure in particular that the notions of consent are always respected, explains Maha Farah Elmir.
The festival will also welcome the trans protagonist of the film The End of WonderlandTara Emory, who reveals her experience in the sex industry.
Activist and politician
Other blocks of short films will focus on science fiction, on the eyes of children, and on grandmothers.
In closing, the festival presents the American documentary Through the night, by Loira Limbal, about a 24-hour child care center in New York State. The discussion will be moderated by Myriam Lapointe-Gagnon, from the Ma place au travail movement..
“I think that, for us, the festival is militant and political, continues Maha Farah Elmir, and not only by the themes that we choose or not to put forward. The choice of programming is driven by political change. We want to change the look by making people discover achievements and realities. »
Free online programming, alongside the films shown in theaters, will also be available on the Tënk platform.