LIVING ARTS CANBERRA: ALL ABOUT MY SISTERS

Stronger than Fiction Documentary Film Festival
Dendy Canberra
Sunday 16 October 2022 at 3pm
Friday 21 October 2022 at 6pm

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW: https://www.livingartscanberra.com.au/all-about-my-sisters/

Twenty years ago, when film director Wang Qiong’s parents, who were desperate for a boy, learned that they were instead expecting another daughter, they made a series of decisions that have haunted the family ever since.

Stronger Than Fiction’s co-director, Deborah Kingsland, discusses All about my Sisters

In her debut film made over seven years, Qiong digs into her family’s dramas and traumas, exploring the complexity of politics, gender, sex, birth control and social-political power over women’s bodies. The film explores the universal need for love and belonging.

Bookings: https://www.dendy.com.au/movies/stronger-than-fiction-documentary-series-2022-all-about-my-sisters

SOURCE: https://www.livingartscanberra.com.au/all-about-my-sisters/

MEDIA RELEASE：INSTRUCTIONS FOR SURVIVAL

MEDIA RELEASE

13 September 2022

STRONGER THAN FICTION DOCUMENTARY SERIES 

PRESENTS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SURVIVAL

Stronger than Fiction Documentary Series presents Instructions for Survival—

A love story about Sasha a trans man and his partner Mari and their dream of a

 more equal existence.

Sasha is a trans man living in Tbilisi, Georgia – a place where many LGBTQIA+ people do not feel safe to live openly. Sasha’s transgender identity means he is must lead a life of secrecy.

The consequences of Sasha being recognised on the street by friends, family and colleagues who knew him pre-transition could be life threatening. In Georgia, a former Soviet country, equality and basic human rights for trans people is challenged. An experience shared by many in the LGBTQIA+ community in other former Soviet countries. 

Sasha and his partner Mari are forced to live on the fringes; faced with the suffocating secrecy of their life and the ever present lack of freedom. The couple find acceptance, dignity and humour in the flat they share with Mari’s siblings and mother.

Not having met the state’s surgical requirements, Sasha is unable to change his ID which means he constantly has to deal with clashing identification in a country where ID cards are needed for everyday mundane activities. Trapped, unable to move on with his life, he and Mari dream of moving to another country where they will be free to be themselves.

“It is a salutary lesson in why the struggle for equality matters in day to day life.” - Eyeforfilm

“In its quietly powerful and deeply humane way, Instructions for Survival captures both the heartbreak and profound joy of ordinary love in extraordinary circumstances.” – Frameline

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SURVIVAL Screenings

3pm Sunday 18th September6.30pm Friday 23rd September

Dendy Cinemas, Canberra Centre

TICKETS AVAILABLE here

WATCH TRAILER here

PRESS PACK here

ABOUT STRONGER THAN FICTION DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

Since 2013, Stronger than Fiction has been screening the finest documentary cinema from around the world in Canberra, giving audiences unique insights into the lives of people from all corners of the globe. Often made over several years by passionate independent filmmakers,the films tell local stories that connect with national and international issues. These films are ‘Stronger Than Fiction’: the emotion, the suspense, the humour and the deep truths about human nature that we expect from great movies are all there, while staying factual. Engaging with these superbly crafted under-marketed gems, audiences have the chance to get behind the headlines and better understand the big stories of our time.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Deborah Kingsland & Hannah de Feyter, STF Co-Director

E: hi@strongerdocs.com

BMA FILM REVIEWS: Fire of Love — Stronger Than Fiction 2022

Fire of Love — Stronger Than Fiction 2022


Review by Michele E. Hawkins.

Fire of Love tells something of the story of French volcanologists Katia and Maurice Krafft.  Katia was a geochemist and Maurice a geologist, and from the late 1960s until 1991 they travelled the world to study volcanoes up close, taking gas, lava, and other samples from their study sites.  The Krafft’s photographic and video recordings brought unparalleled images to the world, and their work over more than two decades, so the narration tells us, increased our understanding of these extraordinary natural phenomena.

American documentary director and producer Sara Dosa wrote, filmed, and directed Fire of Love, which benefits greatly from its poetic narration by Miranda July.  The photography is stunning, and the soundtrack gives some idea of the terrifying booms and crackles accompanying erupting volcanoes.  The Kraffts, who were passionate about volcanoes, must have also been fearless.

Interspersed with footage of the Kraffts on volcanoes are footage and photos of them in their laboratory back in France, on holidays, on their wedding day, and in interviews.  They were clearly well-matched as scientists and presumably as husband and wife, although this aspect of their relationship is inferred in the narration rather than shown.

The Kraffts were unusual in their relentless quest to be as close to volcanic eruptions as possible, even walking over molten lava.  Just how necessary this sort of thing was to their scientific enquiry is something to contemplate, but volcanoes seemed to give them the sort of joy that nothing else did. It seems that nothing deterred them, that no risk wasn’t worth taking.

Those hoping for a deeper exploration of or romantic revelations about the Kraffts’ relationship may feel a little disappointed.  The film doesn’t explore their personal relationship beyond speculating about how they met and indicating that they discovered their common passion for volcanoes immediately and never looked back.  Nor does the film tell us just what the Kraffts’ research added to our knowledge.

As far as visual spectacles go, though, Fire of Love delivers in spades, and anyone who enjoys the phenomenal extravagance that nature has to offer will not be disappointed.  The up-close footage is especially stunning, even if you may find yourself wondering who would be insane enough to get that close to something that powerful, unpredictable, and dangerous.

The Stronger Than Fiction documentary festival’s second and final screening of Fire of Love is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday 26 August at Canberra’s Dendy cinemas.