Author: Muslim Sahib Torun

  • ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: In the Turn《在转变》

    ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: In the Turn《在转变》

    In the Turn
    Director: Erica Tremblay
    Country & Year: USA, 2014
    English with Chinese Subtitles

    In The Turn tells the story of the Vagine Regime, a collective of queer female roller derby enthusiasts whose passion for sport and ferocious sisterhood has empowered and inspired women and girls around the globe. The film follows several of their core members as they embark on new life journeys. One proposes to her long time girlfriend, another completes her journey to becoming a woman. At the heart of the story is a nine-year-old trans girl, who after years of bullying is inspired by the Vagine Regime to take up roller derby and regains her confidence and identity. As mothers, sisters, teachers and friends, they create a space through sport which is for all in a world which has so often given them none.

    《在转变》
    导演:艾丽卡·特朗伯雷
    地区及时间:美国,2014
    英文配音中文字幕

    《在转变》讲述了Vagine Regime,一个酷儿女子轮滑俱乐部的故事。这些轮滑爱好者对运动的热忱以及动人的姐妹情谊不断激励着世界各地的女性。这部电影关注与几个俱乐部主要成员展开新的人生旅程时的经历。其中一个成员向她的长线女友示爱求婚,另一个则完成了从女孩到女人的过渡。故事的核心是一个9岁的变性女孩。在历经多年的欺凌后,她受到Vagine Regime的激励,拾起轮滑鞋,并重获自信与自我认同。作为母亲、姐妹、老师以及朋友,这些人通过运动的形式为所有常常不被世界所接受的人创造了一个包容的空间。

    *For ShanghaiPRIDE full list of events please visit www.shpride.com.


    Image courtesy of ShanghaiPride
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  • ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: Queer Artivism《酷儿艺术行动主义》

    ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: Queer Artivism《酷儿艺术行动主义》

    Queer Artivism
    Director: Masa Zia Lenardic & Anja Wutej
    Country & Year: Slovenia, 2013
    Chinese & English subtitles

    Shortly after coming out, filmmakers Masa and Anja found themselves at Ljubljana Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Their first encounter with the queer world left them wondering, ‘What are queer film festivals like outside of Slovenia?’ The result was Queer Artivism, a wild roadtrip through a landscape of queer film festivals. This hit documentary takes in five cities and five festivals on a shoestring budget. Why are film festivals important, how do movies advance our movement? Follow them as they explore the places that inspire and the people who organise celebrations of art and activism in the queer cinema.

    《酷儿艺术行动主义》
    导演:马萨·齐亚·勒那迪克&安佳·乌特
    地区及时间:斯洛文尼亚,2013
    中英文字幕

    出柜后不久,电影人马萨和安佳来到了卢布尔雅那同志电影节。她们与酷儿群体的第一次接触让他们发问:“斯洛文尼亚外面的酷儿电影节是什么样子的?”这个问题最终促成了Queer Activism,一次穿越众多酷儿影节的疯狂旅行的诞生。这部热门纪录片以极为微薄的预算记录了五座城市与五场电影节。电影节为什么很重要,电影又是如何推进我们的运动的?追随他们的脚步,一起探索那些鼓舞人心的地方以及那些在酷儿影线组织活动庆祝艺术与平权运动的人们。

    *For ShanghaiPRIDE full list of events please visit www.shpride.com.


    Image courtesy of ShanghaiPride
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  • ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: Out & Around《走出来》

    ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: Out & Around《走出来》

    Out & Around
    Director: Lauren Fash & Ryan Suffern
    Country and Year: US, 2015

    “Equality is not a western invention.” Hilary Clinton’s remark beseeches no doubt. However, what is equality really like in other parts of the world, and how are queers in non-Western countries fighting for their deserved equality? Out of fascination and concern, adventurous American lesbian couple, Jenni and Lisa, decided to leave their 9-5 jobs in San Francisco, pick up a video camera, and travel through Asia, Africa and South America in search of the people who are leading the movement for LGBT equality. Combining intimate verite and video-journal footage of this couple’s year-long journey with their interviews of LGBT leaders across the developing world, Out & Around documents the momentous changes occurring in the status of queer people around the world today.

    《走出来》
    导演:劳伦·法什 & 瑞安·沙芬
    地区及时间:美国,2015

    “平等不是一种西方干预。”希拉里·克林顿一语中的。然而,世界其他地区的平等问题到底是怎样的?非西方国家的酷儿们又是如何为自己应得的平等而奋斗的?出于好奇与担忧,极具冒险精神的美国女同性恋者珍妮与丽莎决定抛下自己在旧金山朝九晚五的工作,拾起摄像机,穿越亚非拉,寻找在各地领导LGBT平等运动的人们。《走出来》将细腻的现实与一年旅途中和发展中国家LGBT领袖们的采访影像结合在一起,记录了今日世界各地酷儿群体地位发生着的重大变化。

    *For ShanghaiPRIDE full list of events please visit www.shpride.com.


    Image courtesy of ShanghaiPride
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  • ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: We Want Kids Too《我们也想要孩子》

    ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: We Want Kids Too《我们也想要孩子》

    We Want Kids Too (Wij willen ook een kind)
    Director: Mirella van Markus
    Country & Year: Netherlands, 2014
    Dutch with Chinese & English subtitles

    Filmmaker Mirella van Markus seeks the ideal arrangement of having a child with her wife Claudia. Despite their strong desire to have children, there are worries and doubts. Can they justify raising a child in a family which society doesn’t always look upon with tolerant eyes? And as a co-mother, will Mirella have the same unconditional link with her child as Claudia, the biological mother? Mirella’s quest leads her to lesbian parents, children born of artificial insemination, and a developmental psychologist; she even winds up on the sofa of an adviser who counsels people with a desire to have children. We Want Kids Too is a personal, emotional quest in which two women share their worries, doubts, hopes and disappointments.

    《我们也想要孩子》
    导演:米雷拉·范·马库斯
    地区及时间:荷兰,2014
    荷兰语配音,双语字幕

    电影人米雷拉·范·马库斯寻找和她妻子克劳迪娅生育小孩的理想建构。除去想要孩子的强烈愿望以外,他们有担忧和顾虑。她们能够在一个并不完全兼容的社会中抚养小孩吗? 米雷拉的疑问让她接触了一些女同性恋父母、经人工授精成长的孩子、发展心理学家、甚至那些面对想要小孩之人的顾问。《我们也想要孩子》是一个个人的、充满情感的提问,两个女人分享了他们的担忧、疑惑、希望以及失望。

    *For ShanghaiPRIDE full list of events please visit www.shpride.com.


    Image courtesy of ShanghaiPride
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  • ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: The Circle (Der Kreis)《圈子》

    ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: The Circle (Der Kreis)《圈子》

    The Circle (Der Kreis)
    Director: Stefan Haupt
    Country & Year: Switzerland, 2014
    German with Chinese & English subtitles

    Based on true stories, The Circle (Der Kreis) is a docudrama about the lifelong romantic relationship between Ernst and Röbi, who met through Switzerland’s first gay association – Der Kreis. With interviews of the now elderly gentlemen, historical footage from the 50s, and dramatized representations based on their accounts on the gay life in postwar Zürich, the film looks back from the present to the time of Der Kreis’ rise and fall. Ernst, a schoolteacher, and Röbi, a flamboyant drag queen, later became one of the first to enter registered partnership in Switzerland. Besides depicting their love story, the film further serves as a powerful testimony to the legacy of Der Kreis, which remains one of the world’s most important journals promoting the legal and social rights of gay men.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_qO03QFGT8

    《圈子》
    导演:斯特凡·霍普特
    地区及时间:瑞士,2014
    德语配音,中英文字幕

    基于真实故事的《圈子》是一部关于恩斯特与罗比一生浪漫情感的文献片。恩斯特与罗比第一次相遇是在瑞士的首家同性恋组织 — “圈子”。利用对已是暮年的几位绅士的采访、对50年代历史影像的发掘、和对战后苏黎世同性恋生活的夸张再塑,这部电影的视角从当今跨越至“圈子”的兴衰。恩斯特,一位教师,和罗比,一位艳魅的变装皇后,随后成为了瑞士首批登记伴侣关系的一对。除了描绘了两人的爱情故事之外,电影还是“圈子”遗产的一个有力证明。“圈子”至今仍是当今世界上支持同性恋法律及社会权益的重要期刊之一。

    *For ShanghaiPRIDE full list of events please visit www.shpride.com.


    Image courtesy of ShanghaiPride
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  • Pink Dot 2015: Reflecting on Where Love Lives

    Pink Dot 2015: Reflecting on Where Love Lives

    More than 28,000 people gathered at Hong Lim Park to celebrate the freedom to love at Pink Dot 2015 last Saturday. The success of the event was due to the massive support from the public as well as local business and corporate sponsors. Twitter, Bloomberg and Cathay Organisation joined the returning sponsors Google, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, BP, J.P. Morgan and The Gunnery. Local shops and outlets such as Settler’s Café, Elevate Gym, Asia Wine Network and D’Bell Singapore threw on their pink hats to form a new ‘Pink Street’ where people could enjoy drinks, food, make friends, and purchase Pink Dot merchandise.

    DSC_1286

    During the press conference, there was a discussion on the verdict by the Court of Appeal rejecting the constitutional challenges to Section 377A of the Penal Code in October 2014, which criminalises physical intimacy between men. Local artist and Pink Dot’s 2015 ambassador Patricia Mok shared her interactions and experiences with families with a queer family member. She mentioned that many older generations whom she has interacted with believe that love is love and people should be left alone with their choice on who to love. Radical religious groups aside, why is the large amount of support that we are seeing contradictory to the claims by the state that Singapore is not ready for the LBGTQ community.

    This contradiction had me wondering if the state is indeed ready. Hirzi; one-half of YouTube comedic duo Munah & Hirzi and Pink Dot’s 2015 ambassador, mentioned that they have met many LGBTQ youths during a YouTube FanFest. From these interactions and his own personal experience, he felt that schools do not have the support infrastructure to help LGBTQ youths cope with the challenges of the queer adolescence. Other segments of the state like Health Promotion Board (HPB) is also feeling the pinch, having faced criticism over their FAQ on sexuality in February of 2014. Having Section 377A active makes it difficult to create cohesive polices or campaigns as segments of the Singapore community has to be intentionally left out.

    DSC_1319

    It was also revealed during the press conference that a 15-second pre-event advertisement for Pink Dot that was meant to be screened in cinemas on Friday, June 12, was refused a rating by the MDA (Media Development Authority Singapore) after a two-month wait, effectively banning it. The MDA cited the reason that “it is not in the public interest to allow cinema halls to carry advertising on LGBT issues, whether they are advocating for the cause, or against the cause.” It took some time for everyone at the press conference to make sense of MDA’s statement as the said advertisement was just a clip of Pink Dot’s light up with the date of this year’s event. However, the reason does make sense. If they were to allow ads that support the LGBTQ cause, then conversely they should also allow ads that are against LGBTQ cause. This would then add to the complication simply because there is no anti-discrimination law against the LGBTQ community.

    There is a need to prevent hate crimes towards the LGBTQ community in Singapore especially with the recent online attacks towards The Chiongs; a lesbian couple raising their daughter in Singapore. To abolish 377A and to pass an anti-discrimination law is a definitely not an easy task for the state. Due to these gaps the Singaporean community has organically grown; with Pink Dot having its biggest turn out to date, together with the growing numbers of LGBTQ support groups.

    DSC_1336

    In spite of the record breaking turnout for this year’s event, there is still a need for a better understanding of the Pink Community. In the words of Pink Dot SG Spokesperson Paerin Choa, “We recognise that the journey towards inclusivity and diversity in Singapore is still some way off, but we are confident that we will be able to achieve this together, one day in the near future.”


    Image courtesy of Pink Dot
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  • ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: Kumu Hina《希娜老师》

    ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: Kumu Hina《希娜老师》

    Kumu Hina
    Director: Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson
    Country & Year: Hawaii (US), 2014
    English with Chinese subtitles

    Inspiration. Teacher. Cultural icon. Like her native Hawaii, Hina came up out of the lava, a dynamic spirit and proud native of a land in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Hina occupies her own ‘place in the middle’, between kane (male) and wahine (female) and empowers her students to do the same. As a new generation of native Hawaiians embrace their culture and identity, Hina is a conduit through which a lost past may be channeled into a hope for today, and a future that may not be perfect, but which is filled with potential.

    《希娜老师》
    导演:迪恩·哈默尔 & 乔·威尔逊
    地区及时间:夏威夷,2014
    英语配音中文字幕

    激励人心的存在、导师、文化偶像。像她的家乡夏威夷,希娜也在熔炼中诞生成长。她是太平洋中这片土地上的一缕活跃的灵魂,也是一名骄傲的原住民。希娜在自己的两个身份:凯恩(男)和瓦茜尼(女)之间占据着一个“中间地带”,并鼓励着自己的学生也这样接受自我。作为勇于接受自己的文化与自我认同的新一代夏威夷原住民,希娜将失落的过去、今天的希望和可能并不一定完美但一定充满期待的未来串联在了一起。

    *For ShanghaiPRIDE full list of events please visit www.shpride.com.


    Image courtesy of ShanghaiPride
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  • ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: Lilting《轻轻摇晃》

    ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival: Lilting《轻轻摇晃》

    Lilting
    Director: Hong Khaou
    Country & Year: UK, 2014
    Starring: Ben Whishaw and Cheng Pei Pei
    Chinese & English with subtitles

    Thirty years after leaving China for England, Junn lives alone in a home for the elderly in London. Her only companion is the memory of her son, Kai, whose untimely death has left her isolated in a culture she never fully assimilated into. Junn’s solitude is disrupted by Richard, whose relationship with her son was not what she had thought. With the help of a translator, Junn and Richard come to know each other in grief. Their mutual love for Kai transcends boundaries of language. “Sometimes, it seems we understand one another.”

    ShanghaiPRIDE Film Festival is honored to present Hong Khaou’s debut feature for its first public screening in Shanghai. Lilting received award nominations at BIFA, BAFTA and Sundance, taking home the 2014 prize for Cinematography.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6LO7fGmezc

    《轻轻摇晃》
    导演:洪皓
    地区及时间:英国,2014
    本·威士肖与郑佩佩主演
    双语配音及字幕

    离家30年远赴英国的Junn在伦敦一家老年公寓生活。与她相伴的只有对亡子Kai的回忆。Kai的突然离世也让她在这一从未完全融入的异国文化中无比孤立。然而Junn的的独处被Richard的出现所打破。Richard与她儿子的恋情也是她未曾想到的。在一位翻译的帮助下,Junn和Richard在悲痛中逐渐了解彼此。他们对Kai共同的爱跨越了语言的隔阂:“有的时候,我们似乎都能理解对方。”

    上海骄傲电影节十分荣幸承办洪皓导演这部作品在上海的首次公共放映。《轻轻摇晃》英国独立电影奖、英国电影学院奖和圣丹斯国际电影节中均有提名,并斩获了2014年圣丹斯影节的最佳摄影奖。

    *For ShanghaiPRIDE’s full list of events please visit www.shpride.com.


    Image courtesy of ShanghaiPride
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  • Pixie Dust in the Air: SongKran9 Review

    Pixie Dust in the Air: SongKran9 Review

    There is no dance floor big enough for gCircuit. Two weeks has pass since SongKran9 and the music is still beating in my heart. The biggest gay circuit party in Asia has truly lived up to its name and hype. The three day event spanning from 10th to 12th April includes three night parties and two pool parties. With an estimated six thousand party goers a night, I would describe the experience at SongKran9 a supersized “a night at the club”; the music was definitely spectacular, the crowd partied harder and the air was cleansed with pixie dust.

    When you stepped onto the SongKran9 red carpet you are greeted by hot models from the different partners and sponsors of the event. From Atlantis Cruise, which does gay cruise in US and Europe, to Jack’d, one of the most popular global gay app, your eyes can’t help but wonder. Three booths stood out. The first was testbkk.org. They had an impressive boxing ring themed booth in sleek black and gold complete with sexy models in boxing attire. Their motto “Suck, F*#K, Test, Repeat” is a coy reminder that even though many of us are indulging in the process of sucking, f*#king, and repeating, we cannot neglect the importance of testing. For an NGO of HIV and STI awareness, they have an impressive PR campaign.

    Next was Pure Bliss Weddings, a wedding planning company for LGBT that is based in Phuket. Not only was taking pictures in their beach themed booth fun, talking to the planners about the different weddings that are taking place in our region is an eye opener. It gives one hope that the society is progressing even though we do not have legalised marriage for our community in Asia yet.

    Lastly was SongKran9’s own booth where you have the chance to meet and greet the GoGo boys who will be performing. The month leading up to the event, one only gets a sneak peak of who the GoGo dancers are from gCircuit facebook page. However, to have a chance to meet them is another thing altogether. The highlight is being able to meet SongKran9’s brand ambassador Peter Le. Despite the star power shrouding him, Peter is a very humble and stand up man. The way that he carried himself and interacted with his fans was nothing short of impressive.

    Upon entering the dance floor, you will be amazed by its sheer size. Being there early, I was able to see how the void began to slowly fill up with the heat from party goers, the thirsty for fluids and the need for a rad beat. The opening DJs were fanatics. My personal favorite was opening DJ Louis T. He had the right mix of tribal music that could keep me going for hours. After experiencing the beat of the opening DJs over the three days, I feel that each and every one of them have the qualities to be a main DJ at the next big circuit party.

    It was only when the dance floor was packed enough then did the performance for the WICKED party began. All the dancers and models who we meet earlier came on stage with more than enough confetti to ignite the night. From the elevated view of the VIP, one could see the intricate tango between the main DJ, the GoGo boys and lights show. Even the WICKED party was filled with the excitement excited of a virgin experience, the NEON party which is the second night’s party you can see that the GoGo dancers are really up their game. They brought about more energy than the night before and were able to maintain the high energy level dance after dance. Placing NEON party as a leader in the running for the best party of the five. However, the prediction was pre-mature. This is because the opening sequence of the PHARAOH party was the most erotic thing I have ever seen in my life.

    The GoGo boys were dressed like Egyptian Kings.
    They had sexy servants waiting on their every hand and foot.
    These Gods dance sensually with each other in a vessel that descended from the heavens.
    While their servants bathed them in milk.

    The first thing that came out of my mouth when the performance ended was , “I think I just wet myself”. It is hard to determine which party was the best as each one was different. Even the pool party has its own set of fun. It was a nice break from dancing in the dark. The pool party encompasses the vibe of the water festival element of the actual Thai New Year. Having hundreds of topless guys in sexy swim trunks playing with water. Who can ask for more?

    However, no party is perfect and if one were to look around, one would be able to find some unhappy and bored party goers. The SongKran9 teams still works tirelessly to put up a good show. At the front of the house, one can see the Drag Queens, Miss GiGi and Siva entertaining the new party arrivals. Even the PR director, Jom, has made it a tradition to come all dressed up in Drag. Much credit also goes to Yoss who designed the beautiful outfits for the GoGo Boys and Drag Queens. The countless tech and backstage crew were instrumental in ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Together with Tom and Oui, it is unquestionable that these folks are serious about partying and definitely know how to run a good show. With a successful ninth year under their belt, you know that when SongKran10 comes along next 15th to 17th April 2016, it is sure to be bigger, better, bolder … and a ton more of pixie dust in the air.

    *For event pictures, refer to the following links
    Day 1: WICKED Party
    Day 2: NEON Party
    Day 3: WASH and PHARAOH Party

     


    Image courtesy of gCircuit
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  • Gay Circuit Party Finale: WASH and PHARAOH

    Gay Circuit Party Finale: WASH and PHARAOH

    All good things must come to an end….

    10b

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    10k

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    11a

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    11g

    11h

    11i


    Image courtesy of gCircuit
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