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06
Sept 2024
All female short film exhibition comes to Harrogate
An exhibition of short films created and directed by women has come to Harrogate.
Power and Identity opened to the public at the Mercer Art Gallery on September 1.
The Swan Road gallery has partnered with Aesthetica Magazine for the exhibition, which highlights themes of colonial legacies, representation and diaspora, as well as grief and loss.
Among the filmmakers is Manjinder Virk, who is best known for her role in ITV’s Trigger Point.
Her award-winning film Out of Darkness, which tells the story of an aid worker and their experience with death, will be played at the gallery.
People can expect to see some familiar faces, including actors Tom Hiddlestone and Riz Ahmed, during the 12-minute film.
Stills from Out of Darkness. Credit: Manjinder Virk.
Bahamian and British artist, Rhea Storr, is showing her film about a protest at Leeds West Indian Carnival, which combines contemporary and historical footage of the event in a bid to explore cultural representation.
Sri-Lankan British moving image artist, Michelle Williams Gamaker, brings ‘Thieves’, which is described as a re-telling of the The Thief of Baghdad – a silent, black and white film made in 1924.
Tear Down and Rebuild, directed by Jasmina Cibic, was filmed inside the Palace of Serbia, formerly known as the Federal Executive Council Building, in Belgrade.
Cibic presents a debate around rebuilding, renovating or destroying buildings and monuments that no longer serve contemporary political contexts, North Yorkshire Council’s website says.
‘What Does the Water Taste Like?’, directed by Nigerian-British filmmaker Juliana Kasumu, will also be shown. The short film explores identity through the lens of Ms Kasumu’s own experiences.
Still from 'What Does Water Taste Like?'. Credit: Juliana Kasumu
North Yorkshire Council, which owns the gallery, today said it is the first time an exhibition of this kind has been hosted at the Mercer, adding it has been made possible by a £7,000 investment into a new projector and sound system.
Cllr Simon Myers, executive member for culture and leisure at the council, said:
Our new display space allows us to bring even more art to the county. This important and exciting exhibition not only highlights the extraordinary talent of these filmmakers but also showcases our commitment to fostering creativity.
The council aims to showcase this style of art to a new audience, the authority also said.
Power and Identity will run until September 30, with free admission and workshops available as part of the exhibition.
The five films will play on a 75-minute loop.
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