Rare chance to see feminist classics
Reclaim the Screens feminist film season at the Renoir, WC1N
London's cinemagoers will have a brief chance to see famous but rarely-screened feminist films from next weekend, as the Reclaim the Screens feminist film season gets underway at Renoir cinema.
The fascinating and innovative programme, at one of London's most famous art-house cinemas, covers two weekends. It explores themes connected to violence against women but as diverse as human trafficking, pornography and spousal abuse.
Proceedings get off to a classic start, with Lizzie Borden's iconic futurescape Born in Flames – rarely seen today, but still notorious, and as relevant now as it was in 1983. The screening on Saturday 25th November coincides with International Day to End Violence Against Women, and is carefully timed to allow attendees to participate in London's Reclaim the Night march and rally.
The season continues on with a packed schedule over December 2nd and 3rd, giving the opportunity to see international films as compelling, unique and varied as:
A sickening exposé of the role played by UN Peacekeepers in Bosnia's booming sex-trafficking industry
The challenging story of a separatist lesbian group making pornography to be seen exclusively by women
An award-winning documentary, following the exploits of two wisecracking female judges, dispensing wisdom and justice in domestic violence cases in Cameroon
An exploration of the shocking relationship between pornography and violence
The inspirational tale of a radical campaign against domestic violence and abuse, started by Nicaraguan men
A powerful examination of domestic violence among ethnic minority communities
The season is organised by Scary Little Girls Productions in collaboration with London Feminist Network and all-female film distribution network Cinenova (cinenova.org.uk), and came about in response to a chance complaint from SLGP Director Rebecca Mordan to Curzon Cinemas.
"I happened to comment that the prominent screening of films such as Inside Deep Throat presented a distorted and unbalanced view of the effect of pornography upon society at large," she explains. "Curzon Cinemas were very pro-active in their response, and I have been delighted to get involved in compiling such a genuinely interesting, varied and balanced programme.
"Sadly, violence against women is still all-too current an issue in the UK in the 21st Century. People assume things are getting better, when actually the reverse is true, and the issue is only exacerbated by the growing culture of disbelief of women who are courageous enough to speak out.
"These films are every bit as important culturally as they are gripping to watch."
Festival listing and synopses
Born in Flames
Saturday, 25th November, 12pm
Director: Lizzie Borden
Country: USA
Year: 1983
Duration: 90 mins