Peafowl (2022) is a visual delight showcasing the synthesis of traditional Korean dance rituals and waacking, a queer dance style originating from 1970s LA. The film centres around Myung, (played by the fabulous Haejun) who is a transgender waacker (both IRL and in the film). In order to pay for her gender-affirming surgery, we see […]
The Homogenization of Beauty
When I was thirteen, I read the Y/A novel “Uglies” by Scott Westerfield. It was about a dystopian future where everyone is considered ugly until they are turned “pretty” through government-enforced cosmetic surgeries at the age of sixteen. While I enjoyed the book, I had always found the premise a bit silly. The concept of […]
Home Ground
Home Ground (2022) charts Seoul’s little-known lesbian history and brings to light pertinent LGBT+ issues in Korea in a deeply personal and thought-provoking presentation. The documentary mainly centres around Myung-woo, the charismatic owner of Lesvos, a lesbian bar in Itaewon. Since the ‘90s, it’s been a hub for Seoul lesbians to meet each other and […]
Tatenda Shamiso On Wanting To Make People Laugh
No I.D is a show about a Black trans immigrant’s transition and their journey to getting legal recognition in the UK. The stage is piled high with boxes, each box containing parts of his life and identity. As we move through the play he unpacks these boxes and guides us through his transition. It opens […]
What I’ve Learned From My First Queer Relationship
As a bisexual Black woman I felt unprepared for the emotional intensity of my first queer relationship. The many causal relationships – or situationships – I had with women in the past, left me feeling unprepared to pursue a long-term relationship with a woman, until I met my current partner. Growing up I rarely saw […]
A Toast to the Low Key Living Legends
Too often, LGBTQ+ legends don’t receive their flowers until they’re dead (if at all). Despite the huge numbers of queer people making impactful moves in various sectors, we see the same names over and over again so it can be easy to forget how mighty our communities really are. To highlight some of the amazing […]
Queer Love, Friendship, Self Love and Joy Through The Lens
Sometimes queer love can not be explained or expressed through words. How do you describe that feeling you get, when you witness the joy between a queer couple holding hands in the park or smiling at each other over an inside joke or just being? These tender moments that remind you that in spite of […]
What Being Afro-Vegan Has Taught Me About My Culture
One of the most fascinating things to me growing up has been food, and it was how I was introduced to veganism. As a child, I was always drawn to the way my mother was able to curate a weekly system of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, and I yearned to be able to manage the […]
What to watch at BFI Flare 2023
Flare 2023 presents a natural evolution of the boundary-pushing, global cinematic platform. Screening almost 150 works from 41 different countries (including 28 world premiers), audiences will be spoilt for choice.
In Conversation with Cheryl May Coward-Walker
I had the lovely opportunity to interview the gifted and multi-hyphenated Cheryl May Coward-Walker. Our conversation was delightful, Cheryl is a graceful, yet enthusiastic conversationalist. We talked about her play The Wedding Speech and its upcoming run, mother-daughter relationships and their many different forms, identity, being an independent artist and the healing journey. Tell us […]