Topics of film about women "Unclenching The Fists" sparks disputes in North Ossetia

The film director, Kira Kovalenko, in her Ossetian-language film "Unclenching The Fists", has raised the problem of women's lack of freedom in a patriarchal society; the topic is in demand in the West, but not urgent for North Ossetia, Alik Pukhaev, a blogger, and Diana Sokaeva, a philologist, have noted.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the film "Unclenching The Fists" by the pupil of the famous Alexander Sokurov's workshop in Nalchik was included into the programme "Un Certain Regard" of the Cannes Film Festival. It tells the story of a family who lives in a mountain village in North Ossetia. The plot focuses on the family problems and children's departure from excessive parental care.

By turning to the topic of lack of freedom and patriarchy in the region, Kira Kovalenko exploits a topic that is in demand in the West, Alik Pukhaev, a blogger, has noted.

"The Caucasus is Russia's periphery; and Russia is a periphery of the Western world. It is not surprising that in Cannes they applaud to the films that represent 'a white European's view on a backward colony'," Mr Pukhaev has stated, noting the selectivity of Europeans' interest in human rights violations in the Caucasus.

The topic of absence of women's freedom in Northern Caucasus is least applicable to Ossetians, Diana Sokaeva, a philologist, believes.

"The Ossetian region is definitely not patriarchal; men are notable here for their civilization. Ossetians are a historical nation; and I am increasingly alarmed by attempts to present us in such a 'patriarchal'," Ms Sokaeva asserts.

She also did not rule out that the film director has pleased Western tastes.