Fermin de la Serna’s Lovers in the Sky inhabit a quiet Peruvian town, whilst the protagonists of Bipuljit Basu’s Redlight to Limelight dwell in the bustling suburbs of Calcutta. They clean, pray, cook, work, and spend time conversing and enjoying themselves with their loved ones. What sets apart the people from these two films, both selected for the International Documentary Competition at the 65th Krakow Film Festival, is their sexuality.
‘Although reality still leaves much to be desired, we’ve selected documentaries that challenge the film stereotype of the victim often associated with sex work and transgender identity. In the Indian film, the protagonists actively participate in making a feature film inspired by their lives, thereby reclaiming their dignity and sense of agency. Meanwhile, the story of Cristina and La Bonita radiates with their energy, allowing viewers to become completely immersed in their world – one that is sensual, sometimes brutal, yet spiritual at the same time,’ comments section curator Anita Piotrowska.
Both documentaries garnered acclaim from prestigious international festival juries whilst still in production. Lovers in the Sky (dir. Fermin de la Serna) caught attention in Berlin, securing support from the Berlinale World Cinema Fund, while Redlight to Limelight (dir. Bipuljit Basu) received funding from the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Fund.
Heavenly Dilemmas
Dozens of cargo ships navigate the Peruvian tributaries of the Amazon each and every day. Kitchen staff are indispensable among those working their decks. For decades, Cristina and La Bonita have been responsible for visiting local markets, hauling produce, and preparing meals for the crew. Two transgender individuals still searching for their identity.
Fermin de la Serna’s Lovers in the Sky is a vibrant portrait of Peruvian towns and a sensitive depiction of two mature persons grappling with societal pressure, economic hardship, and religious prejudice. Cristina, who has undergone hormone therapy, has a turbulent past behind her. Though confident and sexually liberated, she yet not completely fulfilled. Should she win the lottery, she dreams of using the help of a surrogate to become a parent. Meanwhile, the spiritually-minded La Bonita yearns for acceptance into the kingdom of heaven – a rather complicated prospect for transgender individuals.
Earthly Pleasures
CAM ON is a small, entirely independent film production company established by a group of amateur enthusiasts. Their short fiction films captivate with their ingenuity and originality. Initially, filmmaking serves as an escape from their reality of growing up and working in a Calcutta brothel. Over time, it evolves into an act of resistance against the discrimination and ostracism affecting their families.
In Redlight to Limelight, Bipuljit Basu demonstrates that cinephilia is alive and well, and film can still change the lives of those involved. For the protagonists working in the brothel and their children, the camera provides a genuine opportunity for change, opening new horizons for the entire community. The screenings of CAM ON productions prove to be extraordinary experiences not only for their creators and invited audiences but also for viewers of this self-referential documentary coming straight from the bustling, colourful heart of India.
Fifteen of the latest documentaries from around the world will compete for the Golden and Silver Horns in the International Documentary Competition. The selection committee, led by Festival Director Krzysztof Gierat and documentary section curator Anita Piotrowska, will make the final decisions. Who knows, perhaps a Polish production might be among the selected titles. We will find out soon enough.
Passes for the 65th Krakow Film Festival are now on sale!
The Krakow Film Festival is on the exclusive list of film events qualifying for the Academy Awards® in short film categories (fiction, animation, documentary) and feature-length documentary, the European Film Awards in the same categories, and serves as a qualifying event for the BAFTA Awards.
The Krakow Film Festival is organised with financial support from the City of Krakow, the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, the Polish Film Institute, and the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme. The Polish Filmmakers Association serves as co-organiser.
The 65th Krakow Film Festival will be held from 25 May to 1 June 2025, and online on KFF VOD from 30 May to 15 June.