Join UCL Centre for the Study of Contemporary Art, Cinenova, LUX and Spectra, Queer non fiction films for a screening of works by artist Annette Kennerley, recently digitised by MSc Conservation of Contemporary Art & Media students.
From the late 80’s through to the late 90’s, East London based filmmaker Annette Kennerley produced a unique and deeply personal body of moving image works that explored the dynamics of queer relationships, transgender lives and experiences of motherhood.
This screening includes three lesser-seen early works, produced while Annette was a student at Saint Martins College: her first 8mm film ‘Bet Lynch’s Earrings’ (1986), and videos ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (made with Debi Hall) (1988) and ‘Red Sails’ (1989). The screening also includes two of Annette’s inquiries into trans lives, the celebrated ‘Boys in the Backyard’ (1997) and Kelby (1997).
The screening will be followed by a Q&A and conversation between Annette Kennerley and artist / filmmaker Sweatmother.
PROGRAMME:
‘Pride and Prejudice’, 1988, 10mins
An agit-prop video documentary made with Debi Hall capturing some of the fight back and protests against Margaret Thatcher’s odious Clause 28 (which aimed to ban what the Conservative government called the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ in schools). The film uses footage from marches, TV clips and animated recreations.
‘Red Sails’, 1989, 3mins
A half-remembered lullaby from childhood haunts a new mother as she sets out to re-adjust and re-balance her old life with her new one. A sadness and longing for something lost battles with the excitement of change and the unknown.
‘Boys in the Backyard’, 1997, 22mins
A slice of San Francisco life in the summer of 1993. Matt and Jo sit together in their back yard and talk about their daddy/boy relationship, transgender life, love, tattoos and tomato plants.
‘Kelby’, 1997, 20 mins
‘I’m just a regular bloke…’ Kelby’s gender was decided for him at birth – he later put right that mistake. An intimate documentary with Kelby shot in Sydney, Australia in 1996. Born both male and female, he talks about his life and identity and becoming the person he is now.
Bet Lynch’s Earrings, 1986, 3mins
A little fantasy take on Queer icon Bet Lynch - legendary landlady of Coronation Street’s The Rovers Return. Loosely based on a little-known fact about Bet’s amazing earring collection.
Programme duration: 1 hour
The programme is made possible through support from UCL CSCA and LUX, delivered with the support of the BFI Screen Heritage Fund, awarding National Lottery funding.