FILM CYCLE : Acts of resistance

As part of Squatfabrik 2024, Kulturfabrik is presenting a selection of films that illustrate the transformative power of art as a form of protest and an embodiment of courage. ‘Acts of Resistance’ explores how individuals and collectives exploit various art forms to confront and challenge societal norms, political and religious conformity, and the complexities of immigration and identity. Together, these films reveal struggles with the geography that divides nations and cultures, sparking debates about freedom of expression, inheritance and property, and considering strategies for navigating and defying physical and metaphorical boundaries. Who really owns history? How can communities maintain their connection with the past while building resilience in the face of ongoing conflict? How can ancient symbols inspire contemporary artistic movements and practices? Finally, how can creative expression not only highlight the challenges posed by contemporary social issues, but also cultivate a sense of shared understanding and empathy within communities, ultimately serving as a catalyst for change?

06/06 - 20h00 - « 100 WAYS TO CROSS THE BORDER » Amber Bay Bemak

At a time when the mainstream media is talking more and more about the US-Mexico border, the film presents the work and philosophical frameworks of an artist who has dedicated himself consistently to radical, highly impactful and innovative artistic interventions on the border. ‘100 Ways to Cross the Border’ is a performative, hybrid documentary film about a 40-year career of radical artistic practice. Guillermo Gómez-Peña, a prolific Mexican and Chicano artist, implements his interventions by ‘queering the border’, reclaiming all borders as queer and liminal spaces.

• - 2022
• - Documentary
• - 84 minutes 
• - English and Spanish with English and Spanish subtitles

03/07 - 20h00 - ‘THE APOLLO OF GAZA’ by Nicolas Wadimoff

‘The Apollo of Gaza, directed by Swiss filmmaker Nicolas Wadimoff, attempts to unravel the secrets of this astonishing archaeological discovery. Shot in Gaza and Jerusalem, the film unfolds like a mystery, full of unexpected twists and turns, as Wadimoff searches for those who have seen the priceless statue or heard stories about it. Is it the work of forgers or a gift from the gods to Palestinians desperate for hope? There are many unknowns, but one thing is certain: the Apollo of Gaza is fast becoming an object of speculation and covetousness, its very existence fuelling the wildest rumours and blurring the line between truth and falsehood, myth and reality.

Beyond local political rivalries and international concerns, ‘The Apollo of Gaza’ is a fascinating reflection on the passage of time and the cycles of history. A history that has seen great civilisations born, grow up and die, in a part of the world marked by the interminable Israeli-Palestinian conflict, where the besieged Gaza Strip continues to pay a heavy price.

• - 2018
• - Documentary
• - 78’
• - Arabic and French with English subtitles

29/08 - 20h00 - ‘PUSSY RIOT: A PUNK PRAYER by Mike Lerner and Maxim Pozdorovkin 

Shot over six months, this film tells the incredible story of three young women: Nadia, Masha and Katia. As members of the feminist art collective Pussy Riot, they performed a 40-second ‘punk prayer’ inside Russia's main cathedral. The performance led to their arrest on charges of religious hatred and culminated in a court case that travelled around the world and changed the face of Russian society forever. With unrivalled access and exclusive footage, this film looks at the real people behind their now-famous colourful bonnets.

• - 2013
• - Documentary
• - 88 minutes 
• - Russian with English subtitles