Reykjavík Grapevine - mai 2022, Síða 22

A Platform For
Mar!inalised
Women In Film
Why RVK Feminist Film Festival is a must-see
Words: Iryna Zubenko Photo: Joana Fontinha
It’s 2022, yet, it’s predominantly
white cishet men who make movies
about marginalised women. “Things
need to change,” says Sólrún Freyja
Sen, coordinator of the RVK Feminist
Festival, which kicked off on May 5.
In our conversation, Solrún speaks on
the importance of giving a platform
for the voices of underrepresented
women, the festival’s goals, and tells
us which movies you can’t miss at this
year’s edition.
The idea behind the
festival
The RVK Feminist Festival started in
2020. Its third edition was initially
scheduled for early January, but
had to be postponed due to COVID-
19 regulations in Iceland. With all
restrictions taken down now, the
festival is back on the table, though
its programme had to change. “The
festival focuses on giving women a
platform to show their films; most
importantly, marginalised women,
e.g., women who are not cisgen-
der, LGBTQ+ women, and women
[of] different races,” says Solrún,
pointing out that among the issues
the festival wants to highlight is
domestic and sexual abuse, women
in violent relationships, and home-
less pregnant women.
No such thing as a
feminist paradise
To an outsider like me, Iceland
does look like a great place to be
a woman. Is there a need for a
festival specifically dedicated to
female filmmakers? “I know a lot
of feminists here are not happy
about Iceland being perceived as a
feminist paradise,” Sólrún points
out. “Things are a lot better here
than in many places, but we are
still very far from an ideal feminist
paradise. Women, and especially
marginalised women, are under-
represented in the film industry.
We want women and marginalised
people to be able to make films
about their reality.’’
Sólrún agrees, however, that
things are slowly changing. Female
film directors have been receiv-
ing more publicity and respect in
recent years. In Iceland in particu-
lar, there are more grants from film
associations focused on promoting
female directors. “But the percent-
age of female filmmakers versus
male filmmakers is still very low
and far from equal,” assures Sólrún.
“This festival is a chance for female
film filmmakers to meet up and
network, which is often a challenge
for women who love to make films.”
Diverse film programme
When I ask Sólrún which movies
she recommends seeing at the
festival, she’s both excited and
puzzled. “Oh my God, there are
so many,” she says. The festival
program spans across a number
of continents and themes, from
Iceland to the African continent,
from drama films to animation
shorts.
The opening film, ‘RAFIKI’ by
Wanuri Kahiu, who CNN has called
“one of Africa’s most aspiring direc-
tors”, tells the story of two Kenyan
women falling in love. The film was
actually banned in Kenya, and the
director is coming all the way here
to screen her work.
In addition, the RVK Feminist
Film Festival will host many satel-
lite events one might want to visit
in between movie screenings: Q&As
with directors, a short film compe-
tition, networking parties, and
even a fashion show. In collabora-
tion with Elísabet Ósk Vigfúsdóttir,
founder of Ur!arbrunnur, an organ-
isation that provides housing for
pregnant women who have faced
homelessness or addiction, the
festival will also organise a panel
discussion with a fundraiser.
Towards the end of our conver-
sation, I wonder who Sólrún thinks
should come to the RVK Feminist
Film Festival. “Everyone who loves
films,” she answers assuredly. I’m
certainly convinced. With a noble
goal, great selection of films and a
chance to meet the filmmakers in
person, there’s something on offer
for all movie fans, regardless of
their gender or background.
See the full programme at:
rvkfemfilmfest.is
RVK Feminist Film Festival coordinator Sólrún Freyja Sen
Film 22The Reykjavík Grapevine
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