Ladyland Revisited w/ Isabel Herguera

Listen to our podcast conversation with director Isabel Herguera about her film, Sultana’s Dream, from the 2023 San Sebastián International Film Festival.

This latest episode of the Showcast from the 2023 San Sebastián International Film Festival finds TFV’s Matt Micucci joined by an animation luminary, Isabel Herguera, making her feature debut with Sultana’s Dream, featured in the festival’s official selection.

The film is inspired by the feminist utopian sci-fi short story of the same name, penned by Begum Rokeya at the dawn of the 20th century and exploring the mythical Ladyland. The narrative of the movie follows the journey of a fictional young artist, Inés, and draws from Herguera’s personal experiences and passions.

During our discussions, Herguera provides insights into her multi-year undertaking on Sultana’s Dream, the influential moments and stories that shaped it and the profound impact of animation as an artistic medium. We also delve into her artistic influences, the portrayal of women in media and what continues to make Rokeya’s original short story an enduring and resonant masterpiece.