Fri Dec 13 12:57:08 UTC 2024: ## IFFK Opens with Poignant Films Exploring War, Displacement, and Gender Identity

**Thiruvananthapuram, December 13, 2024** – The 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) opened with a powerful double feature exploring themes of war, displacement, and gender identity.

Serbian filmmaker Iva Radivojevic’s “When the Phone Rang” uses the fragmented memories of an 11-year-old girl to depict the emotional toll of war and displacement during the disintegration of Yugoslavia in 1992. The film, screened in the Female Gaze section, masterfully avoids explicit violence, instead focusing on the subtle yet profound impact of upheaval on a child’s life through nostalgic vignettes of everyday moments. The recurring image of a wall clock and a phone call serve as anchors for these memories, highlighting the lasting impact of a single event on a life irrevocably altered. Radivojevic, who also edited and composed the film’s soundtrack, created a poignant and deeply personal work on a shoestring budget.

In stark contrast, but equally compelling, Jean-Claude Monod’s “Girl for a Day” recounts a true story of gender identity erasure in 18th-century France. The film fictionalizes the story of Anne, who, after confessing her attraction to another woman, is forced by a priest to live as a man (Jean Baptiste). The narrative explores the complexities of gender identity within a rigid social structure, highlighting the struggles faced by individuals lacking societal understanding and support. The film’s depiction of Anne’s life, marriage, and subsequent legal battles provides a fascinating glimpse into societal attitudes towards gender centuries ago.

Both films, presented on the festival’s opening day, received positive early reception, offering diverse and emotionally resonant narratives to the IFFK audience.

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