Fantasy Film: Women Stop to Have Sex – Kukla’s New Project
Slovenian Director Domna Kukla Tackles Sex, War & TikTok in Next Film
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Domna Kukla, the Slovenian filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed Fantasy, is diving into provocative new territory with her next project. Unveiled at the Locarno Film Festival in the Filmmakers of the Present lineup, kukla’s upcoming film promises a darkly comedic and timely exploration of gender, conflict, and the power of social media.
A World Without Sex: The premise
Kukla’s new film centers around a startling premise: what if women collectively decided to withhold sex as a form of protest? The idea, sparked by a throwaway joke from a TikToker about halting reproduction for the benefit of “world leaders” (overwhelmingly male, Kukla points out), quickly spirals into a global crisis.
“My next film is about a potential threat of a third World War,” Kukla told The Hollywood Reporter. “Of course,99 percent of the world leaders are male,and then a TikToker,as a joke,says that we should just stop giving birth to their children,and we should stop having sex.And then, women all around the world stop having sex with men, and the shit hits the fan.”
While details remain scarce – a title has yet to be announced – Kukla assures audiences this project will be a significant departure from Fantasy in tone and subject matter.
From Fantasy to Future Projects: A Rising Star
Fantasy, a coming-of-age story lauded for its humor, drama, and nuanced portrayal of female identity, cemented Kukla’s reputation as a bold and insightful filmmaker. The film follows three young women whose lives are transformed by a chance encounter with a trans woman named Fantasy. Kukla described Fantasy as an effort to empower women to define themselves on their own terms, free from societal expectations.The film is a co-production between Slovenia and north Macedonia, with Totem Films handling international sales.
kukla’s journey to feature filmmaking wasn’t immediate. She first gained recognition as a music video director before making her award-winning short film, Sisters, in 2020. Sisters garnered significant accolades, including the Grand Prix International at the Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival and the Audience Award at Premiers Plans d’angers, ultimately serving as the foundation for Fantasy.
Overcoming Creative Hurdles & Embracing New Ideas
The process of adapting Sisters into a feature film proved challenging,leaving Kukla questioning her future in filmmaking. “The process was so tough that I was like,’I’m never going to do another film anymore,'” she admitted to THR.
Adding to the complexity, Kukla recently became a mother, leading her to initially consider taking a break from her creative pursuits. Though, the seed of an idea, planted five years ago, continued to grow.
“I had this idea for my next film five years ago, and I’m already writing it,” Kukla revealed, demonstrating the enduring power of her creative drive. It’s clear that despite the obstacles, Domna Kukla is a filmmaker with a vital voice and a compelling vision for the future of cinema.