Long Road To Director’s Chair
“Women’s issues are fundamental questions that permeate everything”. Vibeke Løkkeberg’s documentary of the first International Women’s Film Seminar in 1973 retains its political urgency, offering a timeless reflection on gender equality—and its absence—and on representation.
When Vibeke Løkkeberg arrived in Berlin for the first International Women’s Film Seminar, she brought along a camera—determined to capture the voices of her fellow women filmmakers and, whenever possible, the debates themselves. The result is a vivid record of ambition, courage, and the persistent struggle for equality.
The delegates spoke with striking candor. “If we know what we want, that alone is seen as aggression,” one participant observed of 1973. The risk of sexual exploitation was taken for granted. Women needed “a skin three times thicker” and were still expected to “remain feminine” lest they be dismissed as “too masculine”. Archival footage shows that professionalism, resilience, and ambition bound these women together. “You have to be very active and determined, to insist on your point of view and fight for your rights”, said one German news editor. “To create is to have power”, added another. “And power is necessary in order to speak and to write”.
The film captures a moment in history, yet its resonance is remarkably contemporary. As 80-year-old Løkkeberg reflects today (she was 28 when she filmed the seminar), those colorful figures from 1973 could step into 2025—and still find the glass ceiling firmly in place.
After the screening there will be a meeting with the film director Vibeke Løkkeberg and the film editor Mina Nybakke.
Vibeke Løkkeberg
Born 1945 in Bergen (Norway), Vibeke Lokkeberg is one of Norway’s most prolific filmmakers, authors and cultural icons. Married to producer Terje Kristiansen and mother to Tonje (born 1975) and Marie (born 1982), Lokkeberg created a unique concept of blending her personal life with her filmmaking, often working with her family. Known for groundbreaking and often controversial films such as Loperjenten (The Story of Camilla) and Hud (Skin), the director brings her uncompromising vision and storytelling prowess to this project. Lokkeberg is also a prolific novelist, with works including Leoparden (1989); Jordens skygge (1994); Purpur (2002); Brev til himmelen (2004); Allierte (2008); and Frokost på stupet (2018). In 2005, she was appointed Cavalieri by the Italian President and in 2015, Lokkeberg was the recipient of the Honorary Amanda Award for her contribution to Norwegian cinema.
Director: Vibeke Løkkeberg
Producer(s): Anders Tangen, Terje Kristiansen (1973)
Production: The Norway Film Development
Language: English
Subtitles: Polish, English
