IFA and the Faculty of Arts (University of Groningen) present Antigone on Tuesday February 13th at the Forum Groningen! The film by Sophie Deraspe opened IFA 2020. The screening starts at 18:50 o'clock, includes an introduction by IFA and will be followed up by a discussion with Jacqueline Klooster: assistant professor in Greek Languages and Cultures, with a specialism in literary studies, at the University of Groningen.
Together with her sister, her brothers and their grandmother, Antigone fled from Algeria to Canada at a very young age. When Antigone’s older brother is unjustly killed by the police, and her other brother faces deportation, she concocts a dangerous plan to save the family. Antigone (beautifully played by Nahéma Ricci), decides to sacrifice herself in order to save her brother, but finds out that the wheels of justice turn differently for immigrants.
This classic universal battle takes place mainly on social media. There's a stark contrast between the solidarity of the viral world and the rules of the system. Antigone becomes a beacon of hope by starting a movement and inspiring others in her fight against fear, indifference, and rules that often seem inhumane. With this fresh interpretation of Greek tragedy, director Sophie Deraspe offers a fascinating perspective on contemporary politics and activism. Antigone received multiple international awards, was Canada's official entry for the Academy Awards and was IFA's opening during the 40th edition of the festival in 2020.
The screening on February 13th includes an introduction by IFA and will be followed up by a discussion with Jacqueline Klooster, assistant professor at the University of Groningen. Her research is focuses primarily on modern retellings of Greek and Roman myths from female perspectives. She's currently working on her book The Bestseller Muse, pop-feminism, and the Antiquity in popular fiction. The film's subtitles, as well as the introduction and discussion, will be in English.
Get your tickets for Antigone here.