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In my early twenties, I’ve found myself navigating the vast landscape of a big city - a place full of endless possibilities for everything: career, entertainment, and of course, dating. The modern dating scene, especially with dating apps, has been something I’ve struggled to wrap my head around, especially are moving to London from a small town. It’s wild to think, “Wait, you’re bringing a guy home are just meeting him online? Or heading back to his place are a first date?” On the surface, PARANOIA explores the twisted reality of modern dating and the chaos that dating apps have introduced. But at its core, it’s a deep dive into the nuances of contemporary womanhood, along with the persistent fears and anxieties that accompany it. The film also delves into the blurred lines between reality and illusion, especially when distorted by anxiety and high-stress situations. It examines how these mental strains can shift our perception, making it hard to distinguish between real threats and imagined ones. Modern womanhood often carries a sense of danger - sometimes justified, and other times just fuelled by our own anxiety and overthinking. The inspiration for this film draws from both my experiences and those of my friends. While we haven’t faced the exact situations that Gila encounters, we’ve still faced unsettling and sometimes scary moments as young women in the big city. And that sense of paranoia? It never really goes away...
Country: Russian Federation
T-Port Partner: Festival Formula
Webpage: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm15752991/
Alina Bichieva was born and raised in Nalchik, a small town nestled in the North Caucasus. Growing up as part of the Balkar ethnic minority, Alina always felt the pressure of traditional patriarchal norms that conflicted with her individuality. Yet, she embraced her uniqueness and, against the odds, pursued her dream of becoming a filmmaker. Since moving to London, she has directed 6 short films, each reflecting her belief in the power of personal storytelling. Alina’s goal as a director is to craft films that resonate on a deeply emotional level, prompting audiences to reflect, question, and even transform their perspectives.
