14/11/2024 - In Fest Anča’s animated documentary section, women-directed films tackled issues of emotional exploitation, state repression and trans experience

The fourth wave of feminism, which rose at the beginning of the last decade, has brought attention to many issues that previously lacked proper representation in cinema and the media. The social lens formed here resonated with a new generation of women animators, all ready to share experiences of responding to the challenges of a patriarchal society. This female perspective on the imperfections of the world around us became one of the main themes of the Animated Documentary section at Fest Anča, held at the end of July in the Slovak city of Žilina.

The toxic trap and disappointment of online flirting is explored in Love Me True by Inés Sedan. The French animator of Argentine descent creatively adapted and visualised the radio report “Love Me Tinder” by journalist Alain Lewkowicz. The film’s protagonist, Laurence, is exhausted by a series of romantic failures. Following a friend’s advice, she registers on the dating app Tinder, where she meets the handsome Pierre, who captures her heart. The innocent flirtation, however, soon turns into sexual and emotional exploitation, which the heroine finds relief from only on the couch of a psychotherapist. Sedan uses vivid hand-drawn animation with elements of digital cutout techniques to depict the illusory romanticism and simplicity of online dating, which can mask unscrupulous people willing to do anything to satisfy their fleeting desires.

Yegane Moghaddam sheds light on the traumatic experience of state control over women’s lives in her debut Our Uniform. Before emigrating, the animator spent her entire childhood and adolescence in Iran, a country where religious authorities relentlessly regulate public expressions of femininity through dress codes: strict uniforms and hijabs. The challenges of studying and growing up in these conditions are reflected in this autobiographical film, which is imagined as the first part of a planned trilogy about women’s lives in an unfree society. 

Moghaddam's distinct visual style depicts the daily life of Iranian schoolgirls through a combination of hand-drawn animation and textures of traditional clothing. This colour palette adds depth to the film and allows the audience to connect even more deeply with the author's personal story. Moreover, the film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. 

The painful search for one’s identity and the complexities of transgender transition are the main themes of the animated film GiGi by French animator Cynthia Calvi. GiGi, the titular character, was born as a woman in a man’s body and could never understand why those around them refused to accept her true nature. Constant societal pressure led the protagonist to perceive herself as a strange creature from a children’s cartoon—a mermaid striving to discard her tail and scales to become a woman.

The journey of self-acceptance and subsequent gender transition is portrayed by the director with great care and attention, focusing on the support GiGi receives from her mother. The character is represented through giant nurturing hands, ready to provide support during the most challenging moments in life. Thanks to the empathetic direction and symbolic imagery, the film comes across as a true small masterpiece.

All these films, along with several others from the festival, highlight the importance of showcasing female experiences in confronting society’s conservative norms in different parts of the world – experiences that were previously less visible. The voices of these women creators have the strength to advance the neverending fight against issues they are dedicating their works to.