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#IFFIWood, 24 November 2024

The 55^th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) featured two remarkable films in the ‘Cinema of the World’ category: Canadian film, ‘Bassima’s Womb’ and Polish film, ‘Loonies’. Crafted by visionary directors and producers, these films delve into profound themes such as societal pressures, the quest for identity, redemption, hope and pursuit of a better life.

During the media interaction, Babek Aliassa, Director and Actor of ‘Bassima’s Womb’, revealed that the film was inspired by Indian surrogacy stories. When asked about the absence of music, he explained that it was a conscious decision to avoid manipulating the audience.

In comparing Indian and Canadian cinema, he noted that Canada produces fewer feature films than India and emphasized the need for more Indo-Canadian collaborations to promote artistic films.

Actress, Maxine Denis described the story as intense, with her character ‘Bassima’ representing a young woman full of hopes and aspirations. She explained that the lack of music was an artistic choice, aimed at pushing boundaries rather than relying on an easy addition. She also shared that preparing for the role involved watching many surrogacy documentaries and learning to speak French and Arabic with a Syrian accent, which was both challenging and fun.

Actress, Nicole-Sylvie Lagarde, who plays the antagonist, described the film as a personal journey for her character, who bears scars and seeks healing. She also mentioned the difficult weather conditions faced while shooting in Canada.

Actress, Alicja Stasiewicz, from ‘Loonies’, shared that her role required significant physical transformation, including weight changes, making it a demanding part. She credited her 11 years in theatre which helped her emotionally prepare for the character.

Actor, Lech Mackiewicz, spoke about the central theme of love in the film, calling it a powerful force in life. On the film's music, he noted that it aligns with the characters’ emotions. He also contrasted the vibrant, epic style of Indian cinema with the more subdued tones of Polish cinema, expressing a desire to create films in the style of India.

About the films:

Bassima’s Womb: It revolves around a young Syrian woman whose husband without proper documentation getting deported from Canada. In a desperate attempt to reunite with him, she agrees to become a surrogate in exchange for a forged passport. However, she is soon confronted with the shocking revelation that she is already pregnant, forcing her to make the heartbreaking decision to give up her own child.

Loonies: Eryk and Karolka, idealists seeking a fresh start, leave prison to find peace in nature, away from their troubled past. Eryk is driven by the desire to give his daughter, Dżesika, a better life. Together, they embark on a journey across Poland to build a new future, but their plans are threatened when Karolka falls seriously ill, and the only treatment she needs is too expensive for them to afford.

Watch the Press Conference here:

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PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Rajith/Nikita/Bineet/Darshana | IFFI 55 - 73