16th(2014)
Lesbophobia
Mi BALKESTAHL, Sepideh ABBASZADEH, Adrian RINGSTROM, Arvid BERGMAN
- Sweden
- 2013
- 34min
- HD
- color
- Documentary
SYNOPSIS
The Rainbow Nation was supposed to be a nation for everybody regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. In spite of South Africas progressive constitution, homophobia in Cape Town is spreading out. In the film, the foundation of religion and culture are questioned, while the reality of violence against lesbians and the heavy segregation present are confronted.
After Nelson MANDELA’s declaration of ‘Rainbow Nation’, hate crimes against homosexuality are banned in the Republic of South Africa.
However, despite their progressive legal system, hate crimes against lesbians continue to occur in the name of tradition and culture.
Lesbophobia highlights the social animosity, which consists of the combination of hatred against women and homosexuality, existing within the
contradiction between the system and culture. The reality of South Africa portrayed in this film encompasses the complexities surrounding the
system and forms a striking contrast to the situations in other countries, where hatred against homosexuality has increased significantly along
with the implementation of laws that criminalize it. [HONG So-in]
PROGRAM NOTE
Synopsis
The Rainbow Nation was supposed to be a nation for everybody regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. In spite of South Africas progressive constitution, homophobia in Cape Town is spreading out. In the film, the foundation of religion and culture are questioned, while the reality of violence against lesbians and the heavy segregation present are confronted.
Program Note
After Nelson MANDELA’s declaration of ‘Rainbow Nation’, hate crimes against homosexuality are banned in the Republic of South Africa.
However, despite their progressive legal system, hate crimes against lesbians continue to occur in the name of tradition and culture.
Lesbophobia highlights the social animosity, which consists of the combination of hatred against women and homosexuality, existing within the
contradiction between the system and culture. The reality of South Africa portrayed in this film encompasses the complexities surrounding the
system and forms a striking contrast to the situations in other countries, where hatred against homosexuality has increased significantly along
with the implementation of laws that criminalize it. [HONG So-in]
Director
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Mi BALKESTAHLMi BALKESTAHL
The four directors met at the Red Cross School where they commenced their path in Documentary filmmaking, producing their first film, Lesbophobia. Sepideh Abbaszadeh was born in Iran, studied photography at the Art and Architecture University, but due to political repression moved to Sweden. Arvid Bergman was born in Stockholm, tried a number of different kinds of work and finally got into film. Adrian Ringstrom is very interested in LGBTIQ. Mi Balkestah learned about film in London.
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Sepideh ABBASZADEHSepideh ABBASZADEH
The four directors met at the Red Cross School where they commenced their path in Documentary filmmaking, producing their first film, Lesbophobia. Sepideh Abbaszadeh was born in Iran, studied photography at the Art and Architecture University, but due to political repression moved to Sweden. Arvid Bergman was born in Stockholm, tried a number of different kinds of work and finally got into film. Adrian Ringstrom is very interested in LGBTIQ. Mi Balkestah learned about film in London.
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Adrian RINGSTROMAdrian RINGSTROM
The four directors met at the Red Cross School where they commenced their path in Documentary filmmaking, producing their first film, Lesbophobia. Sepideh Abbaszadeh was born in Iran, studied photography at the Art and Architecture University, but due to political repression moved to Sweden. Arvid Bergman was born in Stockholm, tried a number of different kinds of work and finally got into film. Adrian Ringstrom is very interested in LGBTIQ. Mi Balkestah learned about film in London.
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Arvid BERGMANArvid BERGMAN
The four directors met at the Red Cross School where they commenced their path in Documentary filmmaking, producing their first film, Lesbophobia. Sepideh Abbaszadeh was born in Iran, studied photography at the Art and Architecture University, but due to political repression moved to Sweden. Arvid Bergman was born in Stockholm, tried a number of different kinds of work and finally got into film. Adrian Ringstrom is very interested in LGBTIQ. Mi Balkestah learned about film in London.
