Cannes gala: Kiara Advani discusses social stigma of sexual abuse
What's the story
At the recent Variety Global Conversations Summit held at the Cannes Film Festival, prominent female actors and filmmakers from around the world convened to share their experiences and motivations in the film industry.
Among them was Bollywood actor Kiara Advani, who discussed "one of her favorite roles," the romantic lead in the 2023 film Satyaprem Ki Katha.
In the film, she played Katha, a young woman sexually abused by her boyfriend.
Social issues
Advani highlighted social stigma in 'Satyaprem Ki Katha'
In the film, Katha confronts her past trauma with the support of her new partner (played by Kartik Aaryan) after an arranged marriage.
She emphasized the "social stigma around sexual abuse" and how the film helped give voice to many who've experienced similar instances.
"It's truly a very humbling moment to be a part of something so topical and see a different perspective," Advani said.
Cultural impact
Salma Abu-Deif's role influenced Arab parenting perspectives
Another noted personality, Egyptian actor Salma Abu-Deif noted the influence of her series El-Asliyyin on traditionally strict Arab parents, encouraging them to better understand their children's issues.
She shared, "I love that I saw Arab parents saying, 'Oh, maybe we need to listen to our kids, even if it's against how we were raised or how we think culture should be.'"
"At the end of the day, culture is just an idea, you know?"
Women's experiences
When Adwa Fahad's performance in 'Within Sand' resonated with women
Saudi actor Adwa Fahad spoke about her recent role in Within Sand, a film depicting a tragic fire at a girls' school in Jeddah.
She noted the strong reaction among women, mothers, and young girls who identified with the story due to their own experiences with similar restrictions.
"Each of them had a similar story in real life, that they couldn't leave school without someone unlocking the door and escorting them out."
African cinema
Ramata Toulaye-Sy highlighted African cinema with debut feature
Director and screenwriter Ramata Toulaye-Sy, born and raised in Paris to Senegalese parents, discussed her debut feature Banel & Adama. The film was shot in Senegal as part of her commitment to uplift African cinema.
She stated, "Because I believe in African cinema, I think it's important to uplift African cinema. I didn't want to do a cliché stereotypical and a naturalistic movie about migration or oppression or terrorism."
Global reach
Chankimha's role in 'GAP: The Series' broke boundaries
Meanwhile, Thai actor-model-singer Freen Sarocha Chankimha discussed her role in Gap: The Series—one of Thailand's most popular series exports with over 900M views on YouTube.
She noted that the series has broken boundaries as it has been viewed globally, marking an unprecedented achievement for Thai productions, and highlighting the universal appeal of compelling storytelling.
"But to come to Cannes and meet fans from around the world—from Brazil to Australia or even in Europe—is something that never existed in Thailand before."