What happens when lonely young men come into contact with the manosphere?

In Sovereign Son, we follow Marcus. After his father – who abandoned him at birth – is found dead in a tent, Marcus embarks on a personal quest. As he discovers more and more parallels between himself and his father, his distrust of institutions grows, while finding solace in online male role models who promise strength and certainty. Director Cindy Jansen gives Marcus plenty of space to express himself and his ideas, even when their perspectives clash. It is precisely this that makes the alienating allure of the manosphere palpable. His fantasies take shape in strange glossy AI images that reflect his online world.

This screening is a collaboration with the International Filmfestival Assen (IFA), one of Europe’s oldest film festivals with an intersectional-feminist tradition. IFA puts female filmmakers centre stage and screens films that challenge existing perspectives on gender, sexuality and power. Following the film, there will be a Q&A with director Cindy Jansen about Sovereign Son and her unique collaboration with Marcus.

Letterboxd

IMDb

Sign up for the Zienema newsletter