Film Categories: political activism

  • Surviving Memory

    “Surviving Memory” is a film about the role of loss in the formation of identity. It is a narrative intercut with documentary fragments of political actions, which connect the various characters to event through collective memory. Through autobiographical spoken texts, the narrator relays fragments of a relationship between two Jewish women. The fragmented texts speak of the relation between these women as well as recounting various past and contemporary historical events of fascist and neo-Nazi activity (and resistance), Lesbian/Gay rights, Pro-Choice and AIDS demonstrations. While these instances tell a personal/political story about loss, they are also meant to elucidate the…

  • Between You and Me

    “Between You and Me” (Tangled Garden, Act III, Scene I) looks at the internalization of homophobia and fatalism present in mainstream representations of the AIDS pandemic, as it reflects on the conflict between grief and desire in a gay man’s psyche. The film challenges the viewer to turn their red ribbons into real action both on the streets and in bed, and to resist the industry of AIDS. Also available on QUEERS ON THE VERGE.

  • El Valley Centro

    “In a media age dominated by rapid-fire imagery and pounding sound tracks, it is rejuvenating to encounter a film that invites the viewer to find rapture and meaning in the details of a single quiet frame. Veteran experimental filmmaker James Benning extends such an invitation as he turns his meditative gaze toward California’s Great Central Valley in his exceptionally beautiful film, ‘El Valley Centro.’ Employing natural sound and contemplative proscenium shots, Benning skillfully composes a series of pure and majestic images that at once evoke a sense of nostalgic splendor as well as deliver a subtle, yet penetrating, political commentary.…

  • Christian Porn

    When the Saskatchewan Opposition party whipped Regina into a frenzy over the spending of tax dollars on screening gay porn, all hell broke lose. To overcome the uproar and win the hearts of the Christians, in steps BROTHER LOVE.

  • Born to Shop (L’Age d’mall)

    Live action and animation with biting commentary on the religion of rampant consumerism.

  • Budworks

    Aerial insecticide spraying of forests is the most ignored environmental problem in North America today. In Canada, every province east of Saskatchewan, with the exception of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, sprays annually to control the spruce budworm. New Brunswick forests have been sprayed since 1952, longer than anywhere else in the world. “Budworks” investigates the controversy surrounding the spraying and goes directly to the people who are involved.

  • lesbianfilm

    “lesbianfilm” is a hilarious performative documentary (mockumentary) that puts the spotlight on all the hype, PR, collaboration, love and bickering that goes into the making of an independent feature film. In the great homosexual tradition, “lesbianfilm” employs camp and humour to achieve a political aim. With tape rolling, the lesbianfilm collective askes the question: “Do you support lesbianfilm?” At the end of the day, the group has managed to debunk identity politics, pitch the festival programmers, and secure numerous donations from unsuspecting patrons of the arts – of props, wardrobe, a location and various in-kind service for the fictional project.…

  • Re-entry: Stories of Six Women

    Six women of different ethnic and economic backgrounds, ranging in age from early 30s to 60s, tell their individual stories of returning to school or job training, of juggling child raising and house keeping with school and jobs, of support by family and the support they feel is needed for women like them. Must women be superwomen to find fulfillment? These women’s stories are interwoven to produce inspiring and sobering reflections on many women’s lives. Produced for the Santa Cruz Chapter of the Older Women’s League (OWL).

  • Shelter

    “Shelter” is a multi-layered experimental film that cleverly weaves archival social commentary and recent political activism in a playful analysis of our culture’s misplaced priorities. The film blends a variety of appropriated material – including a homeless demonstration during the gala premiere of an Atom Egoyan film at the Toronto Film Festival – with archival footage of circuses, westerns, and Pierre Burton discussing the pros and cons of building a bomb shelter. “Shelter” also celebrates the inherent qualities of the film medium, qualities that have quickly become marginalized through the current obsession with digital technology.

  • Prom Fight: The Marc Hall Story

    Over the years conventional wisdom on Homosexuality has changed dramatically and a more liberal attitude of acceptance and tolerance has evolved. But no one seems to have told the Durham Catholic School Board in the province of Ontario.. “I am writing to request that the school board reverse the policy taken to deny me the opportunity to attend my school prom with the person of my choice, my boyfriend. That’s all I want: to go to the prom with my date, like everybody else, and to make sure that no other student of the Durham Catholic School Board will never…