Tangerine: transgender revenge story, intertwined with Armenian storyline

Tangerine was premiered this week in London as part of the London Film Festival.

Transgender revenge story, raw, realistic, filled with elements of comedy and drama, with Almodovar-like touch, and played by transgender people.

Intertwined with that was a story of a typical Armenian family in LA who moved there from Armenia capital Yerevan. Any Armenian will be able to identify at least partly with that family, whether in reference to their own family, relatives or friends.

Highly recommended. And very relevant to the National Coming Out Day.

And to note that this film was shot using an iPhone !! You would never realise that unless you read about it. Great achievement by director and the whole cast and crew.

Following Q&A, I received a poster of the film and asked director Sean Baker and one of the lead actresses Mya Taylor to sign it for me.

British Council Armenia continues shameful collaboration with homophobic media

This seems like a deja vu.

"British Film Festival 12th Edition is organised by the British Council with the support of the British Embassy Yerevan, UNICEF and ArmenTel (brand name Beeline). In addition to showcasing the best of the British film industry of the recent years, training and competitions will be organised. […]
The information partners of the 12th British Film Festival are H2 TV station, Dar21 TV station, Laym TV station, Yerkir Media TV station, Shoghakat TV station, Civilnet, Public Radio, Radio Van, Radio Hay, Armradio FM 107 and Bravo.am, imyerevan.com, emporium.am."

The history of pretty close relationship between British Council in Armenia (more of their local staff) with the homophobic radio Van station was exposed by this blog back in 2010 [‘Champion of equality’ British Council Armenia sponsors homophobic radio station in Yerevan]. It took efforts for the former British ambassador in Armenia to make essential steps at damage control. And here we are again.

Only last week it was revealed that head of the radio Van station Shushanik is a member (“friends”) of “Griboedov” club in Yerevan, established by notorious “burn gay hearts” Putin propagandist Dmitry Kiselev. Indeed, Shushanik's utterly homophobic views earned Radio Van their place in Armenia: Homophobia Hall of Shame.

Not to mention some other questionable, to say the least, choices by the British Council Armenia, such as Yerkir Media TV, nationalist ARF Dashnaktsutyun outlet that was instrumental in instigating hatred towards gay friendly DIY bar firebombed in Armenia capital in 2012.

Ironically, festival’s web page mentions that “12th Edition dedicated to Inclusion and Communication”.

Amnesty International names and shames Armenia's ԷՇ + more

Amnesty International released its annual 2013 country specific reports. Although the reports are brief and not comprehensive, they do point out to some important developments and human rights problems.

In Armenia, the Amnesty reflected on parliamentary election, freedom of expression, including nationalist hysteria and attacks towards Azeri film festival, poor conditions and ill-treatment in Armenian prisons, alternative (to army) service due to conscientious objectors.

Civil society activists attempting to hold a festival of Azerbaijani films in Armenia were subjected to violent attacks and forced to cancel the event on two occasions. On 12 April, dozens of protesters blocked the venue of the film festival, scheduled in Armenia’s second city, Gumri. They physically assaulted Giorgi Vanyan, the organizer and chairman of the local Caucasus Centre for Peace-Making Initiatives, and forced him to publicly announce that the festival was cancelled. Festival organizers reported that the local authorities had harassed and used psychological pressure to dissuade them from holding the event. 

On 16 April, another attempt to hold the film festival in the city of Vanadzor at the Helsinki Citizens Assembly (HCA) office also prompted public protests and violence. Approximately 200 people – including students, political party members and veterans from the Nagorno-Karabakh war – gathered in front of the HCA office. They forced their way into the premises, vandalizing office equipment, throwing eggs and rocks and injuring one member of staff. Police officers present throughout failed to intervene to ensure the safety of the staff members or to stop the violence. Despite the HCA’s requests, additional police did not arrive until after the incident. After an investigation, one woman was fined for throwing a stone at the building, but no thorough or impartial investigation took place. The authorities failed to condemn the violence.

The Amnesty specifically mentioned the attacks on gay friendly DIY bar and endorsement of such attacks by ARF Dashnaktsutyun MPs and ԷՇ [ESh - Eduard Sharmazanov], spokesperson of ruling Republican party and deputy speaker of the Armenia parliament. If the trend continues, soon ԷՇ related label will rival other top labels on this blog.

On 8 May, a gay-friendly bar in the capital, Yerevan, was attacked. Two people were caught on a security camera throwing Molotov cocktails through the windows. However, police reportedly only arrived at the scene 12 hours later to investigate the attack. Two young men were arrested as part of the investigation, but were bailed shortly afterwards by two MPs for the nationalist Armenian Revolutionary Federation –Dashnaktsutyun party (ARF). They condoned the attack, saying it was in line with “the context of societal and national ideology”. Eduard Sharmazanov, spokesperson for the ruling Republican Party and Parliamentary Deputy Speaker was quoted justifying the violent attack in local newspapers.

!f Istanbul: Rainbow films

A good selection of LGBT-themed films will be on a showcase at !f Istanbul International Independent Film Festival.

The !f Istanbul International Independent Film Festival was founded in 2001 and every February and March it hosts some 70,000 film buffs and celebrated filmmakers from around the world. Dedicated to showcasing the best in contemporary film, !f believes that the shared experience of cinema is a form of activism that has the power to connect people across borders and boundaries of all description. The festival is curated and based on thematic sections, some of which change every year to reflect issues that are gripping the world's - and filmmakers'- imagination.

With each such event, I am becoming more and more convinced that Istanbul (its European part) is perhaps the most vibrant city in the region, and I have to visit it as soon as possible.

Here is a selection of films from US to Iran to Turkey.
***

The Pink Report



"Homosexuality is a disease and needs to be treated!" stated Selma Aliye Kavaf, ex-Minister of Family Affairs. The Turkish military considers homosexuality to be a 'psychosexual disorder' that could exempt one from mandatory service, and therefore needs to be diagnosed by military physicians. If a psychological examination is inconclusive, doctors are required to use other methods - either an anal examination is called for or the applicant must submit pornographic images of himself engaged in a homosexual act. The Pink Report is an intimate encounter with four men and their moving stories of institutional violence, tremendous fear and the longing for acceptance within a society that considers them to be ill, rotten, disabled.
***

Circumstance



"In Iran we have the public face and we have the private face." Circumstance is a sensuous melodrama of forbidden love in modern Tehran. Teenagers Atafeh and her best friend, Shireen, are experimenting with their burgeoning sexuality amidst the subculture of Tehran's underground art scene when Atafeh's brother, Mehran, returns home from drug rehab as the prodigal son. Battling his demons, Mehran joins the morality police. As Atafeh falls deeper in love with her best friend, Mehran's disapproval grows. Suddenly, the two siblings are entangled in a triangle of suspense, surveillance, and betrayal. Though Circumstance is an unrelenting look into how religious authoritarianism forces its way into people's intimate lives, it also has an underlying beat that reminds the viewer of that unconquerable desire for personal freedom, and its will to life.
***

Becoming Chaz



A story of love, courage and being what you need to be. Intimate and nakedly honest, Becoming Chaz follows Chaz Bono's transition from female to male. Growing up as Sonny and Cher's daughter Chastity in a body he felt wasn't his own, Chaz decides to undertake gender transition. As hormone shots give way to top surgery, we follow Chaz and girlfriend Jenny's lives as they watch, question, adapt to, and sometimes rejoice about the changes. For Chaz, this is first and foremost a story of liberation. For Jenny, who fell in love with a woman but is now living with a man, there are questions about the nature of enduring love. For Cher, one can see the struggle, but also the strength involved in accepting life decisions made by loved ones. Told up close and with stunning simplicity, Becoming Chaz is first and foremost a film about courage and open minds.

Festival De Cannes. Day 6. Red Steps – L’ Apollonide

*Noemie Lvovsky and Hafsia Herzi at Red Steps for L' Apollonide © PanARMENIAN Photo/Vahan Stepanyan

*Alice Barnole and Jasmine Trinca at Red Steps for L' Apollonide © PanARMENIAN Photo/Vahan Stepanyan

*Hafsia Herzi and Jasmine Trinca at Red Steps for L' Apollonide © PanARMENIAN Photo/Vahan Stepanyan

*source of pictures: PanARMENIAN Photo

'Lesbian corner', Parajanov, British Film Institute, LLGFF

*British Film Institute (BFI), South Bank, London, Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2 April 2011


P.S. Btw, I was pleasantly surprised to spot quite a few DVDs of films by Parajanov at BFI store (e.g. see the first picture above)

British Film Institute, LLGFF

*British Film Institute, South Bank, London, Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, 2 April 2011

Arman’s Armenian storyline at the heart of documentary on gay Russia at London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

***
EAST/WEST – Sex & Politics (director Jochen Hick, 2008)

3 years ago... Fresh from Berlin Film Festival… 3 years... That’s how long it took me to write this post, adding and amending bits over this period.
***

Arman realised he is gay at around 12-13 when he’s got a crush on his PE teacher (“учитель физкультуры”). The realisation that he is gay was like a torture to him, as he knew very well that it was not “accepted”, it was not “normal” in Armenia.

He came to Moscow around 4 years ago (early 2000s) seeking a freer society. Despite all the state level homophobia and violence towards gays, Russian society remained more open re gays, sexuality and sex compared to other post-Soviet states [This was the case during the Soviet Union too.]

[There was another Armenian guy, Sasha – Armenian from Georgia - who was briefly featured in the film too. He came to Russia for the same reasons.]

In fact, it was in Moscow that for the first time Arman came out as gay. But not to all, and surely not to his parents.

I have to say, he is a brave guy by deciding so openly to participate in this film and become one of its main heroes. While watching the film I couldn’t help myself but wonder what would happen if Arman’s parents see the film. Of course, no one expects that this kind of films would go on broad release in Russia and Armenia, but still… Now, 3 years on after the first screening of EAST/WEST – Sex & Politics, I wonder if he is still afraid of telling his parents that he is gay... I wonder if these years (from the time of shooting the film to present days) brought about changes in his life. There surely must be changes. But what kind of changes? I hope for better. Brave guy, in any case…

He is handsome, politically and socially conscious, regular at gym.

He said there is no such term as “homophobia” in Armenian language as this problem is “nonexistent” for Armenian society. However, he mentioned that ironically, if you visit Yerevan, you might get an impression that everyone around is gay, as men walk holding hands in public.

He was once got severely beaten when Russian neo-nazi skinheads made a real bloodshed in front of a gay club in Moscow. They were attacking, beating everyone whom they perceive as gay. Arman said that only a miracle made him stay alive. He also mentioned that in his case the perception of being gay perhaps did not play an important role, but rather his dark, Caucasian looks.

Despite ‘being himself’ in Moscow, he did not seem very happy, complaining that all his encounters end up to be one night stands, or flings... But he did not give up his dream of finding THE man.

On the day of attempts at staging a Gay Pride event in Moscow, which was disrupted by a violence from extreme orthodox religious fanatics and neo-nazi, he got a call from someone inviting him to a party. He was kind of dismayed by this invitation. He said, on one hand, there are people trying to fight for their and our rights and got attacked, on the other hand – that very night, another group of gay people keep partying. I know, it could be an ethical dilemma. I suppose one can’t expect from everyone to fight for rights etc. There are people who just want to enjoy their life, and it is perfectly acceptable and OK for me. But no guesses needed that I would associate myself more with Arman in this case, than with party goers, although - don’t get me wrong - I do like partying too.

Guys like Arman could be good role models for gay Armenian teenagers, and this film should be screened among them. OK, OK. I hear myself. What I just wrote sounds very old fashioned. “Role model”... Still, I use it in its broader sense. Basically, what I wanted to say, I sympathise with guys like Arman.

Russian gays are divided into cliques, Arman said. Well, this is evident in Armenia (and other countries) too, and not just for gays. There are lots of cliques within and across the layers of our society. However, Arman said that he does not belong to any, he is kind of a loner. In this context, good for you, Arman.

‘The worst thing for Russian gays is being ugly and poor.’ [The whole auditorium, myself including, burst into laughing.]

Parajanov: imprisonment and prison art, British Film Institute, London

Pictures from an intimate exhibit at the British Film Institute, part of Parajanovian Festival in London, March 2010 (from my archives). They detail his imprisonment and prison art.

LGBT Armenians marked 'Happy Colours Festival' flashmob in Yerevan

The latest flashmob by Flashmob Division in Yerevan was billed a Happy Colours Festival. The aim was to express happiness with colours. “Let’s paint the day with positive emotions”. As per the video below, the event was very colourful, indeed.

Well done to few activists who added LGBT colours to the flashmob.



The event took place on Monday 13 September, Northern avenue, downtown Yerevan.

Canadian police chief of Armenian origin Matt Torigian - champion of diversity

FYI: police in Armenia

*via The Record

WATERLOO REGION — Matt Torigian can easily recall his early days on the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

*picture - Waterloo Regional Police Chief Matt Torigian, right, congratulates Ian Ford during a badge ceremony held at the A.R. Kaufman Family Y. (Philip Walker/Record staff)

It was 1985 and the then police constable was working his second shift with the police service.

A supervisor approached and, knowing that Torigian is of Armenian descent, said: “Your father must be in the jewelry or carpet business.”

The comment wasn’t mean-spirited, and Torigian says he wasn’t offended.

“I was just pleased and proud that he knew about Armenia,” said Torigian, who now heads the service as chief of police.

“I was never, ever treated any differently.”

Torigian recalled that conversation recently during an interview on diversity within the police service. The service’s top cop says it’s his “passion” to see that officers who police our region are representative of everyone. [...]

For years, the Waterloo Regional Police Service has been stepping up its recruitment effort to encourage everyone — regardless of their colour, sexuality, age and experience — to apply. The service formed its own internal diversity committee.

Still, Torigian admits, more work needs to be done.

“We’re not there yet. We don’t ever stop striving to get there. What would really be important is to be in a place where our recruiters are seeing diversity coming through the door.”

There are currently 730 sworn officers on staff — 586 men and 144 women. No study has been done that breaks down ethnic backgrounds within the service.

Most recently, officers received praise from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community after setting up a booth at the Tri-Pride Festival in Victoria Park and at Toronto’s Pride weekend.

Two openly gay officers shared their experiences with festival goers.

In 2004, Torigian sat on a provincial diversity committee and remembers members of the gay community saying they had to “degay” their home if they were the victim of a break-in. They were fearful the police wouldn’t properly investigate the crime if they knew they were gay, Torigian said.

“This is the mindset that existed and probably still does to some extent,” the police chief said.

“The last thing we want is for someone who would love to be a cop but feels they are not the right fit because they are gay. That absolutely cannot happen.”

Deb Gollnick, co-chair of Tri-Pride, said she is encouraged by the police initiative to attract members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

“I think a lot of organizations in the community are starting to get us on their radar,” she said. “It’s par for the course that a big organization like the Waterloo Regional Police Service is doing that.”

Gollnick said officers even came to one of her board meetings to express interest. [...]

In the past, recruitment officers have also attended gatherings for the Association of Black Law Enforcers (A.B.L.E.), the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region, the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Festival and the local Turkish festival. [...]

“We want to have officers who reflect the diversity of the city,” said Toronto Police Const. Tom Decker, the service’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender liaison officer.

“It helps us understand the concerns the community is facing. And it helps the community relate to the police a little better. Some communities are still afraid of interacting with police and having these liaison officers really helps dispel these fears.”

No Gay Pride, but a parade of religious fanatics in Batumi, Georgia

So all that hysteria about imaginary Gay Pride festival in Batumi (or Tbilisi) was a PR action for religious fanatics and bigots from politics to stage their very own parade in Batumi. Watch the video below. For a moment, you may forget that it’s contemporary going-towards-Europe Georgia, more like a footage from the Middle Ages.



*via Gay Batumi

"Gay or not so much, Today there still was a pride in Batumi – only it had an extremely religious character. A crowd of religious extremists gathered in front of the “Sheraton” Batumi hotel (the image of the western liberty, a scapegoat for all the evil gays guys who didn’t show up) to let the steam out. There were people scared by the big blue Bigfoot and they kept citing “Oh Father” and praying for the gay pride to never happen in Batumi.

Places around the “Sheraton Batumi” were filled with masses blinded by “sightless leaders” and driven by the hysteria; and the were tears of joy -the relief! Sighs of hope that they’ve proudly demonstrated their power and unity and showed us that there is no place for gay men within the cave communities. The sense of democracy, freedom and liberty is still so below the horizon of the black sea."

Déjà vu: 2 years on, same scenario, same hysteria re imaginary "Gay Pride" festival in Tbilisi

Two years ago, there was a political/religious storm in Tbilisi against imaginary Gay Pride festival, which was in reality a Council of Europe sponsored “All Different - All Equal” event. The event was cancelled amid controversy and homophobic outbursts. [read Gay Pride in Tbilisi?]

The same scenario is being enacting now.

Georgian filmmaker Khaindrava announced the ‘news’ via local media on upcoming “gay parade” to be held at the end of August. He claimed that such an event is aimed at destroying “fundamental values of Georgia”.

Gay activists were quick to deny any plans on holding Gay Pride festival and rightly accused political, religious forces in country of using ‘gay card’ in their inter/intra- machinations.

In an interview with Belarus gay portal Gay.by, Paata Sabelashvili, head of Georgia’s LGBT group Inclusive Foundation, commented on news: “It’s not simply a gossip, but rather intentionally fabricated ‘news’ used by nationalist and opposition politicians to politicise the issue and demonise the government”. Of course, as Paata noticed, “The government itself is often resorted to using the media for negative coverage of LGBT issues, to distract public attention from criticism of the more important issues.”

What is telling, those who shout of upcoming “gay parade” in Tbilisi cannot name any source of such information, despite requested to do so by Georgian gay activists.
***
via Gay.by

На этой неделе крупные грузинские издания сообщили о подготовке гей-парада в столице республики.  Некоторые политики начали утверждать, что гей-парад в Тбилиси должен пройти в конце августа, однако, активисты движения отрицают данный факт…

Политическая игра на теме гей-парада в Грузии начинает набирать обороты. Общественный деятель, кинорежиссер Георгий Хаиндрава во вторник выступил с утверждением, что в Грузии в конце августа планируется проведение гей-парада.

"Проведение гей-парада в Тбилиси реально стоит в повестке дня, и будет он или нет, уже зависит от грузинского общества, от тех людей, кого волнует будущее  Грузии", - цитирует Хаиндрава издание Новости-Грузия.

В то же время, Хаиндрава утверждает, что проведение такой акции входит в интересы руководства страны и тех неправительственных организаций, "которые стараются уничтожить главные ценности Грузии". "Правящая сила и правящая партия способствуют такой акции. Ведь без их разрешения и без разрешения мэрии города, подобные мероприятия не проводятся", - утверждает Хаиндрава.

Не смотря на громкие заявления экс-политика, активисты ЛГБТ-движения страны отрицают данный факт.

Как отметил в интервью Gay.by председатель грузинской ЛГБТ организации «Фонд Инклюзив»  Паата Сабелашвили - «Данная информация не является достоверной. К еще большему сожалению это не просто сплетни, а специально выдуманная «новость», которая распространяется националистически и оппозиционно настроенными политиками с целью политизации вопроса и демонизации правительства. На самом деле правительство никак не поддерживает ЛГБТ и не предпринимает никаких шагов, не смотря на рекомендации Совета Европы, и выбирает позицию игнорирования вопроса».

«Мы неоднократно обращались к этим политикам с просьбой назвать источник данной информации, однако ответа так и не получили» - сообщил активист. - «Не смотря на это, все упорно утверждают, что парад все-таки состоится».

«Само правительство нередко прибегает к использованию медиа средств для негативного освещения ЛГБТ вопросов, чтобы отвлечь общественное внимание от критики по более важным вопросам. Оппозиция же пытается поднять тему в преддверии выборов или в случаях, когда она «отдыхает» и ничем не может привлечь внимание СМИ».

«Мы выражаем надежду, что грузинское общество не даст себя обмануть и на этот раз. Со своей стороны обещаем общественность, в первую очередь, будет проинформирована, когда будет конкретный план проведения такого мероприятия» - отметил Паата Сабелашвили.

Тем не менее, Гога Хаиндарава  настаивает, что «26 августа, когда мужчины выйдут в нательном белье, и Саакашвили примет гей-парад, вы поймете, в чьих вы руках! В этом гей-параде примут участие многие политические фигуры. Они выйдут на улицы, и вы увидите всех».

Safura to perform at Stockholm gay pride festival

According to local media, Azerbaijan representative at Eurovision 2010 Safura is "set for departure to Sweden, where she will be living for 5 upcoming years. As Safura told the journalists, she will remain in Sweden, where she is expected to record a new music album with a live orchestra. Safura also said, that a European tour is also in the plans."

Oikotimes reports that Safura will be performing at Sweden's gay pride event:

"Today it was announced that Safura from Azerbaijan will perform during the “Schlager evening” at Stockholm Gay Pride Festival. In the press release Safura says that she loves Stockholm. It is her favorite city and she is honored to perform at the Stockholm Pride.

The company behind Safura, Zaphire Group, is partly owned by Anders Bagge who is the Swedish composer of “Drip Drop”. The company has been asked to compose the official song for Stockholm Pride 2010.

“Schlager evening” is one of the most popular events during the festival and will take place on the 29th July in the Pride Park. It is an evening filled with Eurovision and Melodifestivalen artists. Most of the artists are kept as a secret but today three of this year’s MF artists were confirmed: NEO, Jenny Silver and Hanna Lindblad."

*picture - via Eurovision.tv

Parajanovian London: Yuri Mechitov photo exhibit at the National Theatre (+ Mat Collishaw at BFI)

Highly recommend this exhibit at the National Theatre in London of rare or unseen photos by Yuri Mechitov, who was a close friend of Parajanov. Photos were taken by Mechitov during their 11-year friendship.

When I entered the foyer where the exhibit was located, this intimate photo of Mechitov and Parajanov (1st photo, below) grabbed my attention, and I started taking pictures. Then someone from behind said: "Why not taking pictures with the photographer himself?" I turned around and saw Yuri Mechitov. It was such a pleasant surprise and was great meeting him in person, so I took his photo (as per below). He was holding his recently published book: "Sergey Parajanov. Chronicle of the Dialogue."

*Parajanov with Yuri Mgoyan

*Parajanov with Tarkovsky

***

Also worth checking an installation (multimedia) by contemporary British artist Mat Collishaw, inspired by Parajanov, at the British Film Institute (BFI), which is literally next door to the National Theatre on the South Bank.

Parajanov at London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

Must see!

Sergei Paradjanov: The Rebel + Ashik Kerib

A special screening to celebrate the distinctive voice of rebellious auteur Sergei Paradjanov.

This fascinating documentary is not a straightforward portrait of Paradjanov's life, but rather a fluid celebration of his talent and creativity. Focusing on the collages he produced during his years in prison, and featuring interviews with the director himself, Cazals' film demonstrates the scope of Paradjanov's artistic vision, lovingly commemorating this rebel of art cinema.

Director: Patrick Cazals
Country: France
Running time: 52min
Year: 2003

-Screening with-

Ashik Kerib
Paradjanov's final film is the story of a handsome lute player forbidden from marrying his true love, and sent away for 1001 nights to earn enough riches to satisfy her father. Inspired by Azerbaijan Folklore and packed with lush imagery, Ashik Kerib is a fitting swansong from a master. As with most of Paradjanov's films, there is no obvious homosexual content, although many critics have read Ashik's nomadic trek as a metaphor for the director's own banishment at the hands of the government, adding a fascinating personal layer to the film. MB

Director: Sergei Paradjanov, Dodo Abashidze
Cast: Yuri Mgoyan, Sofiko Chiaureli, Veronica Metonidze
Country: USSR
Running time: 76min
Year: 1988

Screening:
Wed 24 March | 18:10 | NFT3

In March, BFI Southbank celebrates the work of Sergei Paradjanov with a film season and symposium as well as a new commission for the BFI Gallery by acclaimed visual artist Mat Collishaw, whose new installation poetically conveys the spirit of Paradjanov's artistic endeavor. The exhibition continues until 9 May 2010. For further information please visit bfi.org.uk/gallery or bfi.org.uk/whatson.

*source: 24th BFI London & Gay Film Festival 17-31 March 2010

**More about Parajanov festival in London - see my earlier post here

Film tribute to silent era Soviet cinema and Russian avant-garde at London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

Must see!

Maggots and Men

A stylized tribute to the Russian avant-garde recounts the 1921 Kronstadt sailor uprising with a twist of gender anarchy.

An experimental narrative set in post-revolutionary Russia, Maggots and Men re-imagines the 1921 Kronstadt sailor uprising with a twist of gender anarchy. Narrated by fictional sailor Stepan Petrichenko, this stylish Super8 and 16mm film dramatizes the events of the 1921 rebellion and pays tribute to the sailors' earnest pursuit of communist ideals. Cronenwett, however, links this uprising to a more contemporary revolution by fantasizing the historical - and homoerotic - relations of the all-male crew with a cast of transgender and genderqueer actors. A beautifully stylized tribute to silent era Soviet cinema and the Russian avant-garde, Maggots and Men also maintains its defiant DIY spirit, delivering one of the most original films in years. A call to arms for radical queers everywhere! KS

Director: Cary Cronenwett
Cast: Stormy Henry Knight, Travis Clough, Scout Festa
Country: USA
Running time: 54min
Year: 2009
Screenings:
Wed 24 March | 21:10 | NFT1
Fri 26 March | 21:00 | STUDIO


*source: 24th BFI London & Gay Film Festival 17-31 March 2010

Armenian gay icon Parajanov festival in London (February - May 2010)

He is one of my all time favourite film directors. For me, he is an Armenian gay icon. And not only for me... for many LGBT Armenians, Georgians, Ukrainians, Russians.... world-wide.

It's with great pleasure, I'd like to let you know that for the first time, a large scale Parajanov festival will be staged in London (+ Bristol) over February-May 2010.

Paradjanov won countless awards, including the British Academy Award for his film Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors. He is highly acclaimed worldwide, yet his work remains virtually unknown in the UK. The Paradjanov Festival will be an important event in the cultural scenes of London and Bristol, being the first complete showcase of Paradjanov’s films and art. The film programme will be enriched with a photographic exhibition; a contemporary art installation; a symposium; a workshop for kids and adults; a concert; meetings and talks. The events will take place at the British Film Institute (BFI Southbank), the National Theatre (NT), Ciné Lumière, Pushkin House, St. Yeghiche Armenian Church, Arnolfini (Bristol), The Bristol Gallery and will be introduced by distinguished guests that have had first-hand experience of working with Paradjanov.

The Paradjanov Festival is curated in conjunction with the BFI Southbank.

For more information, visit Parajanov (or as they put it, Paradjanov) festival website.


British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

There will be a retrospective of Parajanov’s films at BFI Southbank (1-17 March 2010).

BFI Southbank will host a season of Sergei Paradjanov’s films that will include his acclaimed features, short films and a number of documentaries about his life and work by renowned filmmakers from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. Some of the screenings will be followed by Q&A sessions with friends, collaborators and experts.

Contemporary artist Mat Collishaw exhibition: “To coincide with our wider celebrations of the work of Paradjanov at BFI Southbank taking place this month, Collishaw has created a mesmerising new exhibition for the Gallery inspired by the work of the Armenian director.” (26 Feb - 9 May 2010)

Also, a symposium on Parajanov’s legacy (6 March 2010) and workshop of “creating artwork à la Paradjanov” (13 March 2010) will be organised.

National Theatre

Sergei Paradjanov through the lens of Yuri Mechitov
22 February – 28 March

To Yuri Mechitov, Paradjanov was not only one of the world’s greatest filmmakers but also a close friend, an inspiring teacher and, quite simply, an extraordinary man. This exhibition is composed of rarely seen photographs taken by Mechitov during their 11-year friendship.

The moments captured by Mechitov’s camera reveal a kaleidoscope of amusing situations, contrasting moods, remarkable filmmaking occasions and expressive backdrops. Yuri Mechitov has exhibited all over the world and has recently published Sergei Paradjanov: Chronicle of the Dialogue. This is the first showing of his work in the UK.

Pushkin House

A presentation of Mechitov’s album will be at Pushkin House on 26 Feb.

Roman Balayan (5 March 2010): "An Armenian filmmaker, who made most of his films at the legendary Dovzhenko Film Studios. Roman Balayan considers himself a student of Sergei Paradjanov. Although different in his aesthetic approach, he undoubtedly shares with Paradjanov a belief in cinema as a form of art, which is amply demonstrated in the films he has created over a period of some four decades."

Guard Me, My Talisman
1986, 74 min
Starring: Oleg Yankovsky, Tatyana Drubich, Aleksandr Abdulov and Aleksandr Zbruev. Set against the backdrop of the Pushkin autumn festival in Boldino, the film tells the story of a love triangle between Aleksei, his wife and Dmitri. As their passions get out of control, Aleksei, inspired by the occasion, decides to put an end to it all in the manner of his favourite poet. The film will be introduced by the director and a Q&A session will follow the screening.

Using the occasion, Cine Lumier in London will showcase few films by Roman Balayan on 9-10 March 2010.

There will be a Parajanov’s film retrospective and photo exhibition in April in Bristol too.

St Yeghishe Armenian church in London

Glad to see Parajanov related events to be supported by the Armenian church in London, as reported by festival’s website.

The concert at St Yeghiche church commemorating the Maestro’s life and work will reveal the distinctive spirit of Caucasian music, enriched by the visual accompaniment of Paradjanov’s photographs and films extracts. The concert is organised with the blessing of HG Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian.

However, Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian is retiring (there will be a farewell concert in his honour on 24 January 2010), and as of today, there is no indication of above event on church’s website.

Btw, today is Parajanov’s birthday. Happy bday, Parajanov!! x

*I made this pictures outside the museum of Parajanov in Yerevan, Armenia

KIN - International Women's Film Festival in Yerevan, Armenia (1-5 Dec 09)

I can't believe I've never heard of this festival before. And it's on the 6th year run now. (thanks to the links posted by friends on Facebook)

The organisers have to publicise it more. Programming, scope, aims... everything with this festival sounds pretty exciting and groundbreaking for the South Caucasus and the broader region. Apparently, it was the first of its kind in Caucasus when launched in 2004.

First International Film Festival "KIN" (kin means “a woman” in Armenian) was held in Yerevan on 8-12 December 2004. It was going to be the first event of the kind to be held in the Caucasus. The purpose of the festival is to address through films issues of violence, inequality, discrimination and other problems related to women’s rights and gender problems. The festival’s goal is promote women's creativity, establish a network between women filmmakers from different parts of the world and give hand to a better understanding of different cultures and each other.

International Women's Film Festival "KIN", 6-th edition, 1-5 December 2009

The 6-th International Film Festival «KIN» (kin means "a woman" in Armenian), will be held in Yerevan on 1-5 December 2009. The festival's goal is promote women's creativity, establish a network between women filmmakers from different parts of the world and give hand to a better understanding of different cultures and each other. The purpose of the festival is to address through films issues of violence, inequality, discrimination and other problems related to women's rights and gender problems.

The deadline for submissions - 1 September 2009.

Bicycle

Looking at the programme of the 23rd London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, under the “Experimental Visions”, I noticed this description of a short film by Klara Liden “Bodies of Society” (Sweden 2006):

“A sadomasochistic relationship with a bicycle.”

How sweet! :)