Saturday, May 9 | 5:30 PM | KINOMUZEUM (MSN)
Discussion: American history of queer activism
after the screening of SELF-PORTRAIT IN 23 ROUNDS: A CHAPTER IN DAVID WOJNAROWICZ’S LIFE 1989–1991, dir. Marion Scemama, JANINE, dir. Cheryl Dunye
Partners: American Studies Center, University of Warsaw, Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw, KINOMUZEUM, Jasna 10: Krytyka Polityczna’s Community Cultural Institution, Lambda Warszawa, QueerMuseum
Wojnarowicz’s work was fiercely political at a time when the AIDS epidemic was causing a massive, preventable loss of life and leading to further stigmatisation of gay people. Wojnarowicz denounced the hypocrisy of politicians, families and religion, and fought against homophobia. Marion Scemama’s film draws extensively on his work. Cheryl Dunye’s ‘Janine’ questions how white society imposes the category of ‘race’ and how prejudices related to homosexual orientation are manifested. The film shows how difficult it is to resist them when they are expressed indirectly. At the same time, the film itself is a form of resistance.
Following the screening, Dr Jędrzej Burszta and Dr Krystyna Mazur will discuss the work of David Wojnarowicz and Cheryl Dunye, as well as the history of queer activism in the United States.
Guests:
Dr Jędrzej Burszta – cultural studies scholar, ethnographer and researcher in queer history. He lectures at the American Studies Center at the University of Warsaw.
Dra Krystyna Mazur – cultural studies scholar and Americanist, co-curator of the section ‘The Usage of Anger’ and the Barbara Hammer film retrospective (MDAG 2024), researcher in literature, American film and queer studies. She lectures at the American Studies Center at the University of Warsaw.
Moderator:
Dra Gabriela Sitek – co-curator of the section ‘The Usage of Anger’ and the Barbara Hammer film retrospective (MDAG 2024).
