Sonia Rolland was among the 7 winners in the film industry, who walked away with awards at the Semaine du Cinema Positive by Positive Planet diner, during the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival. The Rwandan-French actress and former Miss France, was awarded for her documentary ‘Femmes du Rwanda’, which pays tribute to Rwandan women. The Positive Week of Cinema, as it is known in English, rewards films and documentaries with a positive message and impact in the world. This year’s awards ceremony took place on May 14. Rolland’s documentary scooped the bronze award on the night when she appeared on the red carpet with her partner and film director Jalil Lespert. The documentary shot in Rwanda revolves around eight Rwandan women with different background and ambitions and the role they are playing in rebuilding their country, 23 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. According to reviews, the 50-minute documentary generally focuses on Rwanda’s journey of rebuilding over the last 23 years and the role women have played. During the dinner at Palm Beach, Cannes, she was recognised among the big names in the film industry and she also took part in campaigns by women to demand more inclusiveness, gender parity, equal pay and an end to sexual exploitation in the film industry. The 10-day festival of red carpets, premieres and award ceremonies which ends today was characterised by women protesting. Sonia Rolland posted photos with a raised had and fist up in the air with fellow female big names in Hollywood and from across the globe in support of the #MeToo movement. For the dinner, Rolland shimmered in a long multi-colour round neck dress with open shoulders and spotted an afro, alongside Lespert. Other women who were awarded include Juliette Binocheand Catherine Deneuve. The documentary, which was released on March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day, is expected to premiere in Rwanda later this year. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
