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Meet the Director

Courage to be oneself: Verónica González

Uruguayan filmmaker Verónica Perrot González, director of Quemadura China, underscored the value of artistic individuality and self-assurance at the ‘Meet the Director’ session held at Tagore Theatre on the second day of the 30th IFFK.

“The foremost quality a good director must have is the courage to be oneself. That confidence helped me complete low-budget films beautifully,” Verónica said, highlighting how passion and self-belief are essential to navigating the challenges of cinema. When asked about the qualities that define a successful filmmaker, she added, “If we do anything with passion, we can overcome all its challenges.”

Visiting Kerala for the first time, Verónica saw her film screened in the festival’s Latin American category. She offered audiences a behind-the-scenes look at Quemadura China and reflected on the broader lessons of direction, insisting that true satisfaction lies not in following conventional paths but in carving one’s own creative journey.

Quemadura China explores the lives of Siamese twin brothers who decide to undergo separation surgery, portraying the complex emotional and psychological terrain of such a life-altering choice. The film delves into human conflict, the fragility of relationships, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The session also featured Malayalam filmmaker Jeo Baby, who spoke about his upcoming project Ebb. Emphasizing cinema’s ability to observe human conditions closely and evoke empathy, Jeo Baby discussed the ways his film intertwines individual lives through the universal emotion of love, while offering guidance to newcomers navigating the cinematic landscape.

Anirudh Lokkur, executive producer of the Kannada film Don’t Tell Mother, shared insights on the project helmed by his brother Anoop Lokkur. Malayalam veteran Balu Kiriyath also participated, adding perspective on filmmaking across regions and genres.

Moderated by Meera Sahib, the session provided a dynamic platform for filmmakers and audiences to engage on creativity, storytelling, and the evolving language of cinema, highlighting both the personal and universal dimensions of the art form.