watched as part of Pride takeover with Campbell X on the theme of home. It's free to watch for all (in the UK) on BFI Player.
More than just about Ajamu the photographer and his returning home to Huddersfield, there are so many layers here about identity, home, bodies, race, sexuality. Stuart Hall gives an authoritative air but it's not made academic.
Part of the way through I realised that I'm familiar with, and fond of, Ajamu's photography. His images…
found online via Arsenal Berlin. It's no longer there but they have a really interesting programme each week.
Distressing to watch of course. A woman is committed because of her communist beliefs, "insolence", drinking, rude language to cops that arrested her and various other unwomanly behaviours. I greedily wanted more but understand the difficulty as Frances Farmer's story is complicated and all the people who've written about her life have apparently mixed up facts or added interesting fictions. But am obviously not going to ignore a feminist experimental film about a "mad" woman, even if it isn't 100% true to its subjects life.
Today marks the 5000th day I've been with my partner. I was going to celebrate by writing about a film we shared and loved together but instead I'll write about our meeting.
In 1997-1998 I worked in a cinema ostensibly to save money for university but I actually spent it all on booze. We persuaded a colleague to hold an Oscar night party and so my workmates and I watched the 1997 Oscars together. One workmate brought a friend who…
There's something about 90s indie films that means I'll always appreciate them. The aesthetic, everything, is strangely comforting. Maybe other people who grew up in the 90s have the same experience as I do?
Anyway, The Watermelon Woman is another film that's been on my list for ages - over a decade probably - but I'm glad I watched it now I know a little bit about Hollywood history, early black cinema etc. Part of me was disappointed that it…
