A SERIES of films were recently screened in Bengaluru by a non-governmental organisation called SVABHAVA, which spreads awareness on various sexualities. The screening focused on Southeast Asian short films, documentaries and experimental films that engaged with ideas of sexuality.
SVABHAVA, which primarily addresses LGBT issues believes that films communicate emotions and ideas best and hence a series of short films are constantly screened to create awareness. The series of 12 odd international films were screened but Locust, Sea in the Blood and The Matchmaker stood out greatly.
Though completely different films, one can still draw a relationship between the three. Locust is a film talking about the discovery of one’s sexuality at a young and tender age while Sea in the Blood is about growing in that chosen identity and Matchmaker is the maturing of the homosexual identity. This gradual change in concepts is visible through the three films.
The Last Full Show is a very touching film about a young lad of 15 who begins to discover his sexuality. This 18-minute film is very dark and was shot only at night giving it mystery and depth. The boy begins to discover his love for the male touch and as he grows to love a man, he is left devastated and lonely. The movie talks about the societal stereotypes that hinders one from experiencing love. The boy learns his first painful lesson in love. The movie seems to have used dark lighting in order to depict the mask behind which people hide as they discover their sexuality.
Sea in the Blood is a short film lasting 26 minutes. Shot in an amateur manner, the film has a very personal touch to it. It is a personal essay about a boy called Fung. The movie blends two of Fung's relationships, one with his sister and the other with his lover Tim. This film mainly focuses on how Fung fights for his love despite being rejected by his own family. In the second half, tragedy dominates the film, leading to the death of Nan, his sister and Fung discovering his lover to be HIV positive.
The Matchmaker is in complete contrast to Sea in the Blood in which Fung had to fight for his identity where the concept of homosexuality in very carefully captured and dealt with.
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