In May 2025, the documentary Women and Roads. The Way to Yourself. Azerbaijan was presented at the Marché du Film of the Cannes Film Festival, with an official screening held at the Palais des Festivals.
Directed by Kristina Kretova and Anna Kameneva, the film is the fifth chapter in their international documentary project exploring women’s stories through travel, cultural dialogue, and personal reflection.
Filmed in Azerbaijan in 2024, this chapter focuses on the power of female friendship, told through the experiences of Azerbaijani women and shaped by the region’s deep cultural and historical context — including archaeological evidence of ancient Amazons, once proven to have lived on this land.
One of the film’s heroines, Narmina Hasanova, joined the screening in Cannes, accompanied by a delegation of Azerbaijani guests, adding cultural and emotional depth to the event. Another participant, Narmin Alakbarova, could not attend but remains closely involved with the project.
Following the official screening, the film was also presented during a special event hosted by the Female Film Club and HerFlix, in collaboration with Forbes. The event brought together filmmakers, producers, and creators from around the world to highlight female voices in cinema. Anna and Kristina gave an official speech, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the film and reflecting on the evolution of the documentary project. The Azerbaijan teaser was also screened during this event at Villa Forbes, adding an intimate continuation to the film’s presence in Cannes.
Women and Roads. The Way to Yourself now includes five completed films — Baikal, Ladoga, Mallorca, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan — with the sixth currently in production in the UAE. Each chapter centers on a unique theme, from self-discovery and independence to motherhood and cultural legacy.
Produced by A&K Production, the project is known for its intimate cinematic language, cross-cultural scope, and consistent creative vision. Anna and Kristina work as a directors duo — with Kristina also writing the scripts and Anna composing and performing the original songs. Together with their team, they bring each film to life through a personal and thoughtful approach to storytelling.
As Anna Kameneva and Kristina Kretova shared during their Cannes appearance, Women and Roads is not just a collection of travel documentaries showing different countries and regions — it is a long-term artistic journey into identity, resilience, and meaning. From landscapes to lived experience, these are stories that travel — and stay.
