A shortfilm by Marin Håskjold, 2020
A discussion occurs in a woman´s locker room when someone asks a transgender woman to leave. One in the locker room means that woman is something that you are born as and not something you can become. The discussion escalates continuously as more people interfere. Everyone with different thoughts about what a woman is.
What is a Woman? available on The Criterion Collection
WATCH “WHAT IS A WOMAN?” AT
THE CRITERION COLLECTION
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“The characters and the script for the film hail from comments and articles shared on a secret Norwegian feminist discussion-group on Facebook. Here, issues concerning gender and trans rights brought forward philosophical questions inscribed in societal structures dictating our everyday life and behaviour regarding the perception of our bodies. The film asks: Who can define who is a woman and who is not? Is gender biologically or socially coditioned?
Håskjold works with improvisation and intuition, instead of a classic manuscript, to shape dialogues for further investigation, and to create complex characters to sharpen issues at stake in identity and gender related issues.”
- Antonio Cataldo, FOTOGALLERIET
"Highlights something important with a smart and reflective screenwriter behind it. I watched with ears and eyes wide open."
"This is a film that deserves to be utilized."
- Lars Ole Kristiansen and Karsten Meinich, FILMFRELST
“Therefore I came to the conclusion that What is a Woman? is a fine example of the freedom that comes with the short film format. Sure, a short film can consist of one single discussion – and in this way communicate an astonishing amount of angles to one complex and important theme.”
- Aleksander Huser, NY TID
“One of FEM * RIOT's brightest films focuses on the issue of gender identity.”
- Бабель
AWARDS
Beste norske film Den 33. Minimalen Kortfilmfestival
Naturalistic performances and smart writing bring this film to life. Creating an everyday situation that feels so real, this director questions the judgements that are made based on appearances and how we as individuals not only react in these situations, but also how we can be better humans.
Best screenplay 4th BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN FILM FESTIVAL