Opening Night Shorts – Poetics of Perspective

We often cite the power of images, and our opening shorts are testament to this: their power to construct realities and shape our perceptions. From the struggle to find a place to live, and ultimately a place for oneself in a society, to the collective struggle of resistance… These shorts move from pretentious paradises to magical mysteries. In Soft Bwoi, the filmmaker invites queer Caribbean heritage to explore vulnerability. The desktop essay getty abortions takes us on a humorous journey through stock photo databases. Paradise Europe is a mockumentary about a migrant’s struggle to find an apartment while his personal life falls apart, as does the city around him. Les Sports X-trem showcases the glitchy and seemingly video-game-inspired imaginary dating story of two trans men in a gym. The program ends with a futuristic narrative, If I´m Here, It Is By Mystery, which is all about the power of queer community in bending space and time.

Content notes: suffocation, racism, abortion

Length: 88 min

Soft Bwoi

Soft Bwoi

SOFT BWOI is a short art/experimental film that explores the existence of black males in our society and the restrictive parameters in which they have been given to survive in. Through the creative lens of yardie, dancehall and sound system culture, the film is for black men to observe the negative stereotypes that are associated with them and the toxic traits they have prescribed to. Angling for our community to self define what it means to be black and male by inviting vulnerability and the divine feminine to discover SOFT BWOI.

by Danny Bailey

UK, 2023

English/Caribbean Dialect
(with English subtitles as well as German subtitles for the Deaf and hard of hearing)

6 min.

Experimental

Babylon Kreuzberg
30.05.2024 – 18:30

getty abortions

getty abortions

What do abortions look like? What kind of images shape our view on them? And where do these images come from? The desktop essay getty abortions examines how German and Austrian media illustrate the topic of abortion, browsing through stock photos, teen magazines and documents of a real abortion experience. It jumps from the early 2000s to the late 19th century, seeks out feminist knowledge and chats with fictional characters. But one question remains: Why does no one look into the camera?

by Franzis Kabisch

Germany, Austria, 2023

Englisch, oder Deutsch, je nach Präferenz
(English subtitles as well as German subtitles for the Deaf and hard of hearing)

21 min.

Essay

Babylon Kreuzberg
30.05.2024 – 18:30

Yến

Du Bist So Wunderbar (Paradise Europe)

On the day thousands of people went to the streets protesting against unaffordable rents in Berlin and the abolishment of the rental cap law, a gay Brazilian immigrant who was just kicked out of his apartment struggles to find a new room while his personal life falls apart as well as the city around him. Winner of the Silver Leopard at the 76th Locarno Film Festival – Pardi di Domani International Competition.

by Paulo Menezes & Leandro Goddinho

Germany / Brazil, 2023

English, German, Portuguese
(English subtitles as well as German subtitles for the Deaf and hard of hearing)

17 min.

Narrative

Babylon Kreuzberg
30.05.2024 – 18:30

Les Sports X-trem

Les Sports X-trem

Lino trains day and night under the cunning supervision of Loana, a renowned boxing champion. Muscled flirting or sporty bromance? Between coups de fonte and satin bed sheets, their common horizon is the ultimate simultaneous knockout.

by Gio Ventura

France, 2023

French
(English subtitles as well as German subtitles for the Deaf and hard of hearing)

19 min

Narrative

Babylon Kreuzberg
30.05.2024 – 18:30

If I'm Here It Is By Mystery

Se Eu Tô Aqui é Por Mistério (If I’m Here It Is By Mystery)

New Rio, 2054. The renowned witch Dahlia arrives at the port with a mission: to establish the most powerful Clan that has ever existed and, thus, defeat the Order of Truth. In the future, many people are trans – but only a few are witches.

by Clari Ribeiro

Brazil, 2024

Portuguese
(English subtitles as well as German subtitles for the Deaf and hard of hearing)

21 min.

Narrative

Babylon Kreuzberg
30.05.2024 – 18:30

LEVANTE (POWER ALLEY)
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