Focus Iran

In 1949, philosopher and novelist Simone de Beauvoir wrote the groundbreaking The Second Sex, launching a disruptive discourse on women’s oppression and second-class citizenship. This film dissects the origins and relevance of this bible of feminism, charting de Beauvoir’s fact-finding journey across the US to research her book. The timely and fascinating film honors de Beauvoir’s brilliance and limitations, connecting her revolutionary ideas to the pressing issues women face today.

Who, apart from moviegoers, knows Alice Guy (1873-1968) today? However, she was the first woman behind the camera and the first female director and producer of fiction films in history.

When French writer Marguerite Duras (1914-96) published her novel The Sea Wall in 1950, she came very close to winning the prestigious Prix Goncourt. Meanwhile, in Indochina, France was suffering its first military defeats in its war against the Việt Minh, the rebel movement for independence.

Published in 1949, The Second Sex became the bible of global feminism. An essential work that passionately advocates for gender equality, women's independence, and the liberation of morals. Today, how does this seminal work continue to resonate in our contemporary world? Conceived as an initiatory journey to the origins of Simone de Beauvoir's thinking, the film The Second Sex: In the Footsteps of Simone de Beauvoir takes us to the United States, to the places that inspired the philosopher and nourished her theories. An American road trip bringing together the worst and the best, predatory capitalism and mad love. A unique reinterpretation in the company of the great thinkers of our century.

Twenty-four short films by 24 female writers, performed by 24 women actors, all based on women’s real life experiences of sexism, harassment, and violence. A diversity of female voices and talent from across Europe come together for a series that tackles head-on the everyday brutality experienced by women.

Angelin Preljocaj, Christian Bourrigault, Dimitri Chamblas, Mark Tompkins, François Verret, Alain Buffard, Kader Belarbi, Josef Nadj, and Philippe Decouflé are some of the artists—all male—portrayed on screen. A long time in the making, this project by dance critic Rosita Boisseau and filmmaker Valérie Urréa brings together excerpts from performances and interviews around a central question: men and dance. In the documentary, the theme is explored step by step from the same point of view. By giving space for "the men who bring contemporary dance to life," that is, performers and choreographers with solid professional careers, to express themselves on the same subject, men and their identity.

When she accepts this job as a receptionist, she has no idea she will be requested to wear 4-inch high heels. There is no way she can accept the tyranny of capitalism on her body!