Aprilis – Ujazdowski Castle Centre for Contemporary Art

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival, Aprils is a poignant piece of cinema that blends social realism with body horror—a genre proving to be a sensational tool for describing female experiences today (much like Titane or The Substance).

Dea Kulumbegashvili utilizes this lens to penetrate both body and soul in her daring and radical new work. The story follows Nina (Ia Sukhitashvili), an experienced gynecologist accused of causing the death of a newborn. Amidst an atmosphere of suspicion and hostility, Nina continues her work—including her after-hours practice performing abortions in rural villages. In a world where women's lives are dictated by religion and patriarchy, her mission requires not only immense courage but also pushes her to the social fringes, painting her as a "monster." "No one will thank you, and no one will defend you," a fellow doctor says, starkly defining her situation.

Raw, drenched in mud, and bathed in the cold glow of hospital fluorescents, Aprils unexpectedly erupts with beauty. A field full of poppies, the cheerful babble of a child, the spectacular violet of the sky—April is the cruelest month. Yet, it is also the most beautiful when it holds the promise of an entire life.