Over a year ago, when Kathryn Bigelow became the first female to receive an Oscar for best director for The Hurt Locker, many hailed the win as a milestone for women in Hollywood. This year, however, the best director nominees were once again all men.
Critics say that the lack of films helmed by women means that too often society is deprived of different points of view. This unfortunate lack of female voices becomes especially felt in cinematic representations of women, where the main role of women in movies are often no more than a love interest for the leading actor or as a weak and frail “damsel in distress”.
To counter that imbalance Hands Across the Divide, a bi-communal Cypriot women’s non-governmental organisation, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a week’s screening of films dedicated to the power of women, and illuminating the stories of women from across the globe that have made a difference in their countries and communities.
Established in 2002, Hands Across the Divide, continuously works for reconciliation and the creation of a culture of peace throughout the island. To celebrate their 10th anniversary the organisation is preparing a series of events, one such event being these film screenings. The films chosen for this event were all by female film directors and also written by women.
The screenings will take place at the Home for Cooperation across from the Ledra Palace Hotel in the buffer zone. All screenings begin at 7.30pm and are free of charge. There will be a short introduction to the film and after every screening a discussion among the audience will take place.
Screenings began yesterday with the award-winning documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell, which tells the remarkable story of the courageous Liberian women who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their shattered country.
Women of Cyprus directed by Vassiliki Katrivanou and Bushra Azzouz will be screened tonight. It chronicles Cypriot women’s experiences of the Cyprus conflict, issues of home, displacement and reconciliation. (English subtitles, Greek and Turkish)
Don’t miss the adaptation of Virginia Wolf’s classic 1925 novel Mrs Dalloway tomorrow night.
A melancholic middle-aged society woman, thrown into a crisis, reflects upon her life as a politician’s wife during the days of World War I. Her story takes place over the course of one day and is juxtaposed with that of a badly shell-shocked World War I veteran. Actress Vanessa Redgrave dominates the screen as the woman whose preparation for a party evokes memories of her youth and doubts about whether she married the right man.
The final film, Bulutlari Beklerken (Waiting for the Clouds) will be screened on Friday. Set along the Black Sea coast of Turkey, this film follows Ayse who has effectively concealed her ethnicity and true identity for half a century. When her sister dies in 1975, a Greek-speaking stranger unlocks memories of her family’s forced deportation, and she embarks on a journey to find her long-lost brother.
Through Ayse’s inner journey, Waiting for the Clouds raises questions about “who we are” and “where we belong”, as it digs deeper into the intrinsic universal human feelings of love, guilt and identity.
Leading actress Ruchan Caliskur will be present at the screening, whereby audiences will have the chance to discuss the film with her. All are welcome to celebrate with Hands Across the Divide and join them for a drink after the last screening.
Women in Films, by Women
Hands Across the divide celebrates its 10th anniversary with film screenings about women. Until November 25 (except November 24). Home for Cooperation across from the Ledra Palace Hotel in the buffer zone. All screenings begin at 7.30pm. Free. There will be a short introduction to the film and after every screening a discussion. Tel: 99-305283. www.handsacrossthedivide.org
