Join us for a celebration of South Asian exaltation, elevation & liberation ahead of South Asian Heritage month! South Asian history is richly embedded with queer stories, and we welcome everyone to explore this diverse and multi-layered heritage, as well as its connections to other queer cultures.
Introducing the House of Spice, a new collective of South Asian and Middle Eastern diasporic creatives in conversation and live performance, with a queer South Asian feature film screening and panel discussion.
Our evening starts with a screening of Fire – the first film in Deepa Mehta’s celebrated ‘Elements’ trilogy, and one of the first mainstream Bollywood features to explicitly depict homosexual relations in a culture which adamantly denied such a love could ever exist.
Radha is unwavering in her devotion to her husband, Ashok, despite their barren and sexless arranged marriage. For 15 years, Radha has been the consummate Indian wife, while Ashok, under the guidance of a spiritual leader, is attempting to rid himself completely of any form of desire.
Meanwhile, Ashok’s brother Jatin has brought home his new wife, Sita, but is unwilling to give up his relationship with his girlfriend. Slowly, Sita’s presence causes the threads that held the family together to unravel.
Fire is presented as part of Birds’ Eye View’s Queerious programme, which explores a multitude of desires on screen in ways we all too rarely see in cinema. Through stories of sexual (re)awakenings and queer love through a feminist lens, the season aims to help us to question, learn and enjoy our sexual selves.
Reclaim the Frame brings a broader perspective of the world by championing cinema by women & non-binary filmmakers. Run by Birds’ Eye View, a charity with a mission to advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion in film by fostering a community for those who make, show, release and watch them.
To learn more, become an Advocate and join the #ReclaimTheFrame mission to receive free cinema tickets and discount codes go to Bit.ly/BEVRTF. Supported by BFI’s Audience Fund.
Queerious is part of Film Feels Curious, a UK-wide cinema season, supported by the National Lottery and BFI Film Audience Network. Explore all films and events at filmfeels.co.uk.
