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Meet the Director

True satisfaction lies in carving out one’s own path: Verónica González

Uruguayan filmmaker Verónica Perrot González, director of Quemadura China, highlighted the importance of artistic individuality and confidence in filmmaking while speaking 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, emphasising that passion and self-belief are essential to overcoming the many challenges of cinema. Responding to a question on what it takes to become a good director, she remarked, “If we do anything with passion, we can overcome all its challenges.”

Visiting Kerala for the first time, Verónica had her film screened in the Latin American category of the festival on Saturday. She shared behind-the-scenes insights into Quemadura China while also reflecting on the fundamental lessons of direction. According to her, true satisfaction in cinema does not lie in following established paths but in forging one’s own creative journey.

Quemadura China centres on the lives of Siamese twin brothers who decide to undergo surgery to separate, and the complex situations that arise from this life-altering decision. The film delves deep into human conflicts and the emotional landscapes of the mind.

The session also featured acclaimed Malayalam director Jeo Baby, who spoke about his upcoming film Ebb. He noted that cinema is a medium to closely observe human conditions and evoke a natural sense of empathy. Discussing his film—which weaves together the trajectories of human lives through the emotion of love—Jeo Baby also shared insights, drawn from his own experiences, on how newcomers can find their way into the world of cinema.

Anirudh Lokkur, executive producer of the Kannada film Don’t Tell Mother, spoke about the project, which is directed by his brother Anoop Lokkur. Malayalam director Balu Kiriyath also participated in the session.

The discussion was moderated by Mira Sahib, and the session provided an engaging platform for filmmakers and audiences to exchange ideas on creativity, storytelling, and the evolving language of cinema.