Cinema, fashion and female representation came together in Venice for Miu Miu Women’s Tales. From 5 to 7 September 2026, the project took centre stage at Giornate degli Autori with the presentation of two short films and three conversations dedicated to the body, performance and the construction of female characters.
The programme opened on Saturday, 5 September, with the premiere of “Avec Kim”, the 32nd episode of Miu Miu Women’s Tales, directed by French filmmaker and screenwriter Claire Denis. The screening was accompanied by “Discipline”, directed by Mona Fastvold and presented as the 31st chapter of the series.
“With Women’s Tales, we started a conversation among women, about women”: the vision expressed by Miuccia Prada continues to shape a creative space entrusted to contemporary female directors, giving them the freedom to explore changing ideas of femininity through different languages, perspectives and imaginary worlds.
“Avec Kim”: a sensory journey through Claire Denis’ Paris
A windowless car repair shop illuminated by the cold glare of fluorescent lights. From beneath a hulking 1980s sedan emerges a young mechanic, her face and overalls marked with grease. After bringing the car back to life, the woman transforms herself: she puts on a dark leather outfit, takes the wheel and drives through the streets of Paris, accompanied by music and a succession of poetic encounters. Her destination is Kim.
The protagonist is played by Suzanne Lindon, the French actress and filmmaker who made her debut at the age of 19 with “Spring Blossom”, which she both wrote and directed. Waiting for her is Kim Gordon, co-founder of Sonic Youth, visual artist, author and an influential figure across generations of contemporary culture. In addition to portraying the character who gives the film its title, Gordon also composed its soundtrack.
With “Avec Kim”, Claire Denis returns to the distinctive “cinema of the body” that runs throughout her filmography, favouring gestures, images, sounds and physical presence over dialogue-driven storytelling. The camera closely follows the performers’ movements while leaving space for freedom and improvisation.
The short film both celebrates and challenges familiar stereotypes surrounding female characters. Physical work, driving, friendship and clothing become ways of exploring women’s strength and their ability to reinvent their identities. Miu Miu garments also take part in this transformation, becoming more than costumes: they actively shape the characters and their presence on screen.
Conversations with the protagonists
The programme continued on Sunday, 6 September, with “Bodies and Objects: Cinema Beyond Dialogue”, a conversation featuring Mona Fastvold, Suzanne Lindon, Amanda Seyfried and Kim Gordon. Moderated by journalist and curator Lou Stoppard, the discussion explored the role of physicality and objects in cinematic storytelling beyond the boundaries of spoken language.
Later that afternoon, Antonia Gentry and Zoey Deutch took part in “Reinterpretations: Actors Bringing New Perspectives to Familiar Female Characters”. Also moderated by Lou Stoppard, the conversation examined how contemporary actresses can approach seemingly familiar figures, freeing them from stereotypes and revealing new nuances.
The programme concluded on Monday, 7 September, with “Other Realms: Acting Across Space, Time and Fantasy”, featuring Thuso Mbedu and Cailee Spaeny. The conversation focused on the possibilities of performance within narrative worlds far removed from everyday experience, spanning different periods, imagined universes and fantastic languages.
Through these three days in Venice, Miu Miu Women’s Tales reaffirmed its role as a cultural laboratory as much as a cinematic project. Over more than 16 years and 32 individual episodes, the series has created an international dialogue among generations of directors, actresses and artists.
