Diaspora: Displacement and Belonging – a day of screenings with Other Cinemas

Film Screening
Alice Diop: Saint Omer, 2023,  2 hours
followed by a Q&A with Other Cinemas
12-2.45pm

The Showroom gallery presents a double-screening event in two parts, across two neighbouring venues: The Cockpit and The Showroom, curated by Other Cinemas.

Inspired by artist Nassim Azarar’s Showroom mural commission Hayat al Noujoum / La vie des étoiles  (currently on the exterior of the gallery building) Other Cinemas have created a programme that navigates themes of migration, cultural resistance, displaced identities and a sense of belonging.

Part 1 at The Cockpit

12-2pm
Saint Omer - film synopsis
Young novelist Rama arrives in Saint Omer, a devastated northern town in France, where Laurence Coly is on trial. The young Senegalese woman is accused of killing her 15-month-old daughter by abandoning her to the rising tide on a beach. As the trial continues, the words of the accused and witness testimonies will shake Rama’s convictions and call into question our own judgement, opening up questions about justice, motherhood, and generational trauma.

2-2.45pm
Q&A with Other Cinemas

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The second part of the day will take place around the corner at The Showroom Gallery, 63 Penfold Street, NW8 8PQ with the screening of 5 short films.

Part 2 at The Showroom
63 Penfold Street, NW8 8PQ
3.30 - 6.00pm
Book here

Programme

Amel Moyersoen: afraid of losing the echoes, 2023
An archive film and visual poem calling to remember the histories and the continued resistance against police violence in Brussels. A testament to those who resist and persist.

Onyeka Igwe: Specialised Technique, 2018, 19 minutes
William Sellers and the Colonial Film Unit developed a framework for colonial cinema, this included slow edits, no camera tricks and minimal camera movement. Hundreds of films were created in accordance with this rule set. In an effort to recuperate black dance from this colonial project, Specialised Technique, attempts to transform this material from studied spectacle to livingness.

Bediah: A Swing in Atayfiyah, 2024, 3 minutes 24 seconds
A Swing in Atayfiyah dwells in the memory of homes and friendships left behind in Iraq, the irrecoverable sense of belonging, and the dissonance of diaspora.

Wilmarc Val: Brave, 2021, 25 minutes
Cébé decides to return to Haiti to finally perform a ceremony she should have performed 24 years ago, following the death of her mother, a Vodou priestess. She hopes to put an end to the misfortunes that have befallen the family.

Ibrahim Snoopy: Journey to Kenya, 2020, 29 minutes
An award-winning short documentary, following the incredible journey of the MTC martial arts team, which, in the aftermath of Sudan’s 2018-2019 revolution and the fall of an oppressive regime, embarks on a challenging mission. With limited financial resources and no state support, these determined athletes travel overland from Sudan to Kenya via Ethiopia to compete in the Nairobi Open Championship. Their journey is one of resilience, hope, and unyielding perseverance, as they push through immense challenges to represent Sudan on the international stage and solidify the presence of Jiu-Jitsu in Africa.

Followed by a discussion between filmmakers Amel Moyersoen, Onyeka Igwe, Bediah and Other Cinemas

About the collaborators

Other Cinemas is a project focused on the transformational power of film; whether that is showcasing the work of Black and non-white filmmakers; creating networks for Black and non-white creatives to work, learn and collaborate; or using film to document the stories of Black and non-white communities. Other Cinemas regularly hosts free film screenings in ways and spaces that serve our communities and also runs an informal film school of young Black and non-white filmmakers which seeks to create a real space for conversation and collaboration. Other Cinemas was set up by Arwa Aburawa and Turab Shah, two filmmakers who saw the need for better ways to make and share films.

The Showroom is a contemporary art gallery focused on collaborative approaches to cultural production within its locality and beyond. Established in 1983, for over 40 years The Showroom has been a pioneer of socially-engaged contemporary art practice, known for challenging what art can be and do: be that art work, exhibitions, events, screenings, discussions, publications, workshops and relationships. We engage and work with a wide range of audiences from art professionals to local communities in the Church Street area

Saturday 29 March - 12:00pm