78 Days
Three sisters film each other through wartime in this touching coming-of-age tale.
82'
Serbia
IFFR 2024
Wrestlers Choi Heehwa, Kim Dahye, Yang Yoonseo, Song Songhwa and Lim Soojeong are novices of the Kolping Women's Ssireum Team. A women's sport that was only accepted by the Korean Ssireum Association in 1999 and only began to receive attention ten years later when Lim Soojeong won the championship.
The directorial debut of Park Jaemin, Sandstorm follows the fighters of the Kolping Women's Ssireum Team for five years from 2017. As a team and as individuals we witness their matches, joys and moments of glory but also the slumps, doubts and injuries. The film uncovers the persistent gender roles in Korean society as they pertain to the body, ageing and familial duties. Complementing and enriching each other's stories, the player’s determination, passion, friendship and mutual support for one another sensitively unravel over time.
Sandstorm comes as a very timely Korean voice to contribute to the debate on the position of women in sports, ultimately showing that sportsmanship knows no gender. Take in the electrifying, adrenaline and dopamine-rising women's ssireum matches rarely given cinematic treatment.
– kijA
IFFR 2024
Programme IFFR 2024
A selection of feature-length debuts, characterised by original subject matter and an individual style, representing the cutting edge of contemporary filmmaking.
Read more about this programmeThree sisters film each other through wartime in this touching coming-of-age tale.
82'
Serbia
IFFR 2024
A dysfunctional love affair proffers hope in the gloom in Guido Coppis’ debut feature.
105'
Netherlands
IFFR 2024
An urgent, bold and composed rallying cry against sexual violence in the Japanese film industry.
93'
Japan
IFFR 2024