As part of Project Tottenham, a training and funding scheme
delivered by Film London to encourage the development of cultural
cinema activity in Tottenham, arts charity Wise Thoughts are
organising two free screenings of films by established and emerging
film-makers on Saturday 29 September.
Each screening will include three films of varying length and
content. The first will include 'Beloved', a short film produced in
the UK and directed by Daniel Zinkant. This film explores the theme
of unrequited love both in real life and in fantasy. It was created
with a cast ranging from 15 - 19 years olds and includes
representations of bisexual and diverse identities. This screening
will also include 'Homecoming', a film exploring the topic of equal
marriage.
The second screening will feature 'Children of Shrikandi' (scroll
down for trailer). Filmed in Indonesia by The Children of Srikandi
Collective, 'Children of Shrikandi' is comprised of eight stories
interwoven to tell the story of Shrikandi, the great warrior
princess of the Indian Mahabharata. Featuring beautiful shadow
puppet scenes and exploring themes of gender, sexuality and
identity, this is one of the world's first films about queer women
in the country with the world's largest Muslim population. This
screening will also include a showing of 'Rites of Passage', a
twenty-minute documentary which examines issues of transsexualism,
religion, and traditionalism.
These films reflect the plethora of cultures and communities that
come together to make up the LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, Queer & Intersex) communities both in Tottenham
and the wider world. Non-Western identities rarely get a mention in
mainstream Western press, and these screenings offer a unique
opportunity to present a wider cultural perspective from diverse
communities in a unique place like Tottenham.
Wise Thoughts, who are organising the free event, are usually
responsible for GFEST
(Gaywise Festival, London's only LGBTQI cross-art festival.
This year's Gaywise Festival was cancelled due to major funding
challenges and the threat of possible closure, although GFEST plan
to return in 2013.
The free screenings will be held at the Bruce Castle Museum
Lecture Hall on Saturday 29 September at 1.30pm and 3.00pm as part
of Project Tottenham.
For more information contact info@wisethoughts.org.
Watch the trailer for 'Children of Shrikandi' below.
