Women Do Cry is a film that explores the inequalities and bigotries women face in their daily lives. While this film takes place in Bulgaria, directors Mina Mileva and Visela Kazakova highlight the impact of these issues at a global level. Originally making its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in Uncertain Regard, Women Do Cry is making its SXSW premiere at this year’s festival. Women Do Cry is a provocative film that celebrates the strength of women and the power to persevere. Women Do Cry follows the lives of a family of women who deal with misogyny and a desire for autonomy.
Maria Bakalova and Ralitsa Stoyanova stars as sisters Sonja and Lora. Lora is the older of the two sisters who provides for the family while their mother spends her time looking into New Age spirituality to become successful. Their life is thrown into chaos when Sonja tests positive for HIV. This revelation brings the sisters closer as well their mother and aunts as they navigate their own troubles. Bakalova’s debut screen stealing performance was in Borat Subsequent Movie Film. While Bakalova proved to have natural comedic talent, Women Do Cry showcases the spectrum of her abilities. Bakalova gives a stirring performance, conveying naivete and rage as she faces the discrimination from doctors and seeks love from her family. Stoyanova gives a strong performance as Lora, who carries the weight of her family as well as the role of sister and mother to Sonja.
Written by Mina Mileva, Bilyana Kazakova, and Vesela Kasakova, the story builds powerful characters while blending a sense of poetry into the film. The dialogue resonates with powerful lines such as “why are you all so silent?” Throughout the film, there is an awareness of the pay inequities, homophobia, and abuse towards women. Whether it’s on the news in the background, passing by a protest, or in the family discourse, the film emphasizes how women carry on in the face of their adversity.
The film begins with the surgery of a wounded stork. It is decided that the stork will survive to lay eggs and mother them, but she will no longer be able to survive in the wild. This story along with appearances by storks punctuates the film. While this may feel like over the top symbolism, the film never feels heavy handed. Each character is developed and stands on their own while demonstrating the many complicated facets of their persona.
SXSW takes place from March 11-March 20. Tickets can be purchased here.
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