On The Surface

Ada, a young Black woman, goes swimming in the Icelandic sea and reflects on her experience of having a baby in a country that feels nothing like home. As she enters the freezing water, she relives her traumatic pregnancy and postnatal depression. She tries to find ease and healing by facing her fears in the wild.

Topics Covered
Perinatal Depression and/or Anxiety, Racism
Content Heads Up
Representation
Black, Woman / female, Adult, Parent
Film Style
Animation
Festivals & Awards bg

Festivals & Awards

Wreath
RVK Feminist Film Festival

Official Selection

2022

Wreath
Boundless Film Festival

Official Selection

2022

Wreath
Tbilisi International Animation Festival

Official Selection

2021

Filmmaker

Fan Sissoko

Fan Sissoko is a French-Malian artist and filmmaker based in Reykjavik. Her work explores migration, motherhood and neurodiversity. Her animated short ‘On The Surface’ screened at more than 50 festivals internationally, including Clermont Ferrand ISFF (France 2022) where it received a Special Mention.

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