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Argentine Filmmaker Pablo César and Boukary Sawadogo, Associate Professor of Cinema Studies at the City University of New York’s City College, were featured in the "In Conversation" session organized as part of the 28th IFFK on December 13.

César discussed his cross-cultural collaboration with Indian director Murali Nair, marking the inaugural Indian-Argentinian co-production and demonstrating the global reach of storytelling through cinema. Boukary Sawadogo added a perspective on Argentina's visual representation, observing the lack of traces of Black people compared to countries like Brazil. Echoing César, he expressed that nations are imaginary constructions. The filmmaker, with 48 years of cinematic experience, explored the profound link between cinema, history, and societal narratives. He illuminated Argentina's dark past during the 1970s dictatorship, highlighting the coexistence with the Black population, noting that half the country was once Black, creating a unique cultural intersection.

César delved into the mystique of creation, drawing parallels to Upanishads, suggesting cinema, like maya or light, reveals only part of reality. He reflected on challenges faced by Indian independent filmmakers, emphasizing the need for a creative space outside societal structures and discussing intricacies of film industries, where a concise one-minute pitch becomes pivotal.

Acknowledging the democratizing role of social media, César stressed the significance of bringing a unique voice to the cinematic table. Sawadogo defined a filmmaker as a visual storyteller, highlighting the language of cinema as an ideological force beyond image compilation. For him, cinema is a voice that matters, providing a platform for unique perspectives.