Zienema x IFA: Sovereign Son

What happens to lonely young men who encounter the manosphere? This question lies at the heart of Sovereign Son.

The film follows Marcus, whose father - who abandoned him at birth - is found dead in a tent. Searching for who his father was, Marcus increasingly draws parallels between himself and the man he never knew. His distrust of institutions grows, and he finds support among online male role models who promise strength and certainty. Director Cindy Jansen gives Marcus space to present himself and his ideas, even when their perspectives clash. This reveals the alienating appeal of the manosphere. Marcus' fantasies take shape in glossy AI-generated images that reflect his online world.

This screening is a collaboration with the International Film Festival Assen (IFA), one of Europe's oldest film festivals with an intersectional-feminist tradition. IFA centers female filmmakers and shows films that question existing perspectives on gender, sexuality, and power.

Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with director Cindy Jansen about Sovereign Son and her collaboration with Marcus.