Under the Radar @ Brûlances

FILMMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE

Join us for an unforgettable one-night-only and in-person Film Premiere at the Radical Queer Festival, Brûlances, taking place at the Centre Culturel George Vanier in Montreal. We are presenting the anthology film Map Your Love and our latest trans-local video collaboration, Exquisite Pride.

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This program features works shot on smartphones by emerging queer filmmakers from Africa including refugees and diaspora participants. Through non-linear compositions, they explore the complexities of love, solidarity, self-acceptance and sanctuary. The synergies between each vision create a powerful new collective voice  portraying authentic everyday life in marginalized communities.

Map Your Love weaves together four distinct yet interconnected narratives that explore the diverse facets of queer love and identity in the Global South.  Created over three years under oppressive conditions, these films use anonymity and disembodied imagery to protect identities, though some participants boldly reveal themselves. Through compelling storytelling and evocative visuals, the collection of films invites viewers on a journey across cultural landscapes, shedding light on the complexities of human connection, from familial bonds to self-discovery and acceptance to the universal themes of love, longing, and resilience. With its rich characters and settings, 

Map Your Love serves as a poignant reminder of the power of love to bridge divides and foster understanding, while celebrating the inherent beauty and authenticity of queer love stories from diverse corners of the world.

Exquisite Pride  is a collaborative video project featuring fifteen emerging African artists, including refugees and members of the diaspora. Spearheaded by three trailblazers from Map Your Love, this endeavour employs the exquisite corpse approach to weave a distinct narrative on self-acceptance, sanctuary, and self-discovery. Participants have taken on enhanced leadership roles, demonstrating their evolving skills and vision. Through the utilization of participatory filmmaking and elements of Poor Cinema, these films employ DIY techniques and engaged storytelling to authentically depict marginalized communities, giving rise to a compelling new collective voice. Despite the majority of collaborators never meeting in person, their combined talents and unique perspectives have forged a potent and fresh collective narrative.