Sonke Gender Justice will be screening three short films at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town on Saturday March.
The screening, titled Sex Through the Lens – Transforming Gender Attitudes through Film, looks at how film is able to influence, challenge and even change public opinion and discourse around gender, sexuality and human rights.
Mayenzeke Baza's award-winning documentary, Ndiyindoda, takes a close look at rituals and rites that boys and young men are forced to participate in, whether it be Jewish Bar Mitzvahs or Xhosa initiation ceremonies, and questions the idea of "being tough" and what it truly means to "be a man".
A documentary from the I Am Woman series, produced by Plexus Films tells the story of Funeka Soldaat, a lesbian community activist and the founder of Freegender. Hauntingly beautiful, Soldaat tells of her brutal rape and challenges the notion that homosexuality is "un-African". A deeply moving chronicle, this film is bound to raise questions about identity, choice, traditional values, and the place of both love and judgement in our cultures.
Scars, a short film directed by Soweto-born Lerato Moloi, deals poignantly with verbal abuse as it is communicated from one generation to the next, by closely following the life of its protagonist, Richard. In so doing, Scars highlights the impact of verbal abuse and how it can be a form of violence.
The filmmakers will then engage with the audience around questions of gender identity, and talk about how film can engage gender issues and transform gender attitudes.
This event is free. To book your ticket, please email [email protected] before Friday 28 February 2014 (12pm South Africa time.) Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis and seats are limited.
WHEN Saturday March 1 from 4pm to 6.15pm
WHERE Labia Theatre, Orange Street in Cape Town
INFO Entry is free. To book your ticket, please email [email protected] before Friday 28 February 2014 (12pm) www.genderjustice.org.za
Twitter: @sonketogether / Facebook: SonkeGenderJusticeNGO