Sigrid Bernardo leads 27th French Film Festival panel on feminism

Sigrid Bernardo leads the 27th French Film Festival panel on feminism | Image: Instagram/@frenchembassyph

A group of acclaimed directors, including Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo, gathered at the recent opening of the 27th French Film Festival to discuss the evolving role of feminism in cinema.

Bernardo, who rose to fame for her work in “Huling Chacha ni Anita,” stressed that it wasn’t easy for her to break into the industry and for her work to be socially acceptable considering they deal with themes of lesbianism and abortion, among others, that are difficult to market in a country like the Philippines.

“I bang every door. It was very hard. It’s just that I did not give up. And I’m not saying even now that I’m making films; yes, I’m very grateful that producers trust me now with more films because I made some films that, you know, made a blockbuster, but it wasn’t always easy. That’s one thing that people don’t know. They just see the success of it, but before I went here, I could have been maybe more successful before, like maybe in 2006, if I was given the opportunity. I had so many ideas; I had so many dreams during that time, but it took me, what, eight years? But you know, during those years I said I could not give up,” she said.

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The Filipina filmmaker stressed that she’s doing the work so she can be able to help other female directors reach the top. 

“You know it’s also for my women filmmakers. This fight is not only for me. That’s why, you know, like, what is your view of feminism? It’s like women should help each other, so I vowed to myself that I needed to go up there. I need to bang doors; whether you like me or not, I will be there. It was very difficult for me. I’ve seen a lot of male filmmakers who were just there. You know, not banging doors,” she expressed.

Bernardo serves as the face, or “marraine” (godmother in French), of this year’s French Film Festival. Aside from her, filmmaker and professor Sari Dalena, filmmaker focused on documentary Anna Isabelle Matutina, and seasoned director Raymond Red also shared their insights on female representation and the challenges women face in the film industry.

Bernardo’s first film, “Babae” (2005), which was a 20-minute feature, served as the festival’s opening film. Her other short film “May at Nila” and full-length film “Walang Kaparis” were also screened at the festival.

Bernardo’s other films include “Kita Kita,” “Under Parallel Skies,” and “Lorna,” among others. Her upcoming film “I Fell, It’s Fine” stars Rhian Ramos and Glaiza de Castro.