Out in Africa Film Festival

South Africa’s gay and lesbian silver screen event celebrates its 20th year with a line-up of socially conscious, purposeful films

Cinephiles, get ready for the first installment of the 20^th annual Out in Africa Gay and Lesbian Film Festival at the V&A Waterfront’s Nu Metro Cinemas from Friday, 12 until Sunday, 21 April 2013.

This opening round – three more installments are scheduled throughout the year – features nine feature-length films and four short films, three of which are South African and 10 of which are international.

By both showcasing films from around the world and promoting the local film industry, the festival aims to represent its own community and to encourage a sense of belonging and pride.

Launched at the dawn of South Africa’s democracy to celebrate the clause prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the South African Constitution, the Out in Africa film festival is devoted to addressing the lack of visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex individuals and to providing a platform on which LGBTI issues could be debated and discussed. 

Highlights at 2013 Out in Africa Film Festival

After sifting through a ton of submissions, the Out in Africa Film Festival organizers selected the best LGBTI films of the batch for this year’s movie fandango. While the the decision-makers were quick to assert that each film is a must-see, they did humour us with a few, special recommendations:

• Swan Lake 3D: Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake is the embodiment of the traditional fairy tale complete with a damsel in distress and a dapper hero. This 3D film, however,  is based on famed British choreographer Matthew Bourne’s gender-bending take on the dance, a performance which is officially one of the longest running ballets in the West End and on Broadway.  The award-winning rendition turns standard conventions upside down by casting the swan princess, Odette, as a man and having her fellow flock of swans also made up of male dancers
• Beyond the Walls: Picked up for the Cannes Critic’s Week showcase, this film is director and writer David Lambert’s feature debut and exploration of the nuances of blooming love and the shift of power in relationships. The funny French drama (English subtitles)  follows Paolo, who is rescued by Ilir, when he gets drunk after a break-up with his girlfriend. It’s not long before the unexpected attraction between the two men becomes palpable and a bond develops.
• Four: The award-nominated drama is based on the stage production by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie-winning playwright Christopher Shinn, and tells the tale of four individuals who, during the Fourth of July celebrations, take advantage of the quiet streets for illicit liaisons. The film tackles issues of age, sex and race through two couplings: an older married man who meets up with the teenager he’s seduced through online  chats and his daughter, who is dating a bi-racial youth.
• Tomboy: Céline Sciamma’s second film and winner of the 2011 Berlinale Teddy Award, Tomboy explores the ambiguity of attraction and gender roles in childhood. When 10-year-old Laure and her parents move to a new neighbourhood, she is mistaken for a boy and she introduces herself as Michaël. She spends the holidays playing football, wrestling with boys and ends up kissing Lisa. While the young girl revels in her newfound freedom, she also frets about the new school year, a female uniform, the ridicule, humiliation and parental rebuke that is bound to follow at the discovery of her secret. To complicate matters: Laure begins to respond to Lisa’s feelings.
• Zenne Dancer: This beautiful yet sad and moving film is based on a true story, and uncovers a tale of courage and hope. The movie follows an unusual trio: Daniel, a German photojournalist in Istanbul who doesn’t know much about Turkish values, Can, a flamboyant gay male belly dancer (or zenne dancer) who is supported by his family and Can’s friend, Ahmet, who was born to a conservative, Eastern family and whose pursuit for liberty ends in tragedy.

Also, don’t miss out on the chance to engage with the writers and directors of “Zenne Dancer” and “Chloe Likes Olivia”, a 20-minute short flick, at the Q&As held after the screenings. Additionally, workshops will also be held at the University of the Western Cape (for more information and to register for the workshops contact Sharon on +27 (0) 861 246 362 or Sharon@oia.co.za).

Line-up for the 2013 Out in Africa Film Festival

• Bros B4 Ho’s
• Kinsey
• Nosiphokazi – One of TWO STORIES
• Beyond the Walls
• Four
• How to Survive a Plague
• Interior. Leather Bar.
• Love or Whatever
• Swan Lake 3D
• Tomboy
• Zenne Dancer
• Chloe Likes Olivia 

Tickets for the Out in Africa Film Festival

Tickets are available at the Nu Metro, V& A Waterfront and cost R50p/p for 2D films and R65p/p for 3D films.

---
Use our events section for an up-to-date overview of happenings in Cape Town. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn and check out our Pinterest boards for updates.