in the arts
from November 2007

If you want to sneak a peak at some true originals, or have personal interests to assuage - then look no further than Bent Docs, part of this month’s Sheffield Documentary Festival.

Alexis Arquette: She’s My Brother: looking back, it was aged 13 that Alexis Arquette (pictured) felt most comfortable in his skin. Then puberty hit, and he felt his self-identity begin to crumble. And when you come from a family of high achieving, celebrities, knowing who you are is pretty important. Now living as a woman, Alexis is determined to undergo sex reassignment surgery, and to document it in front of the camera. Before she can get the go-ahead, she is required by law to have therapy that Alexis considers unnecessary. Or is it? During numerous sessions on the couch, Alexis emerges as both introspective and vulnerable, an alter ego to the funny and flamboyant figure who continues to tear up the Los Angeles club scene. Showing on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th November. The producer and, hopefully, Arquette is attending.

Jerusalem Is Proud to Present: the organizers of the first international gay Pride march in Jerusalem knew it would be hard to make their dream a reality. But no one could expect it would be this hard. What is also revealed is a very deep and old bigotry that turns from humorous to terrifying in a flash. The ferocity of hatred directed at the team, and at an openly gay member of Jerusalem’s city council, is rarely captured on film. It’s being screened with the short Smalltown Boy: fed up with being shunned for his sexuality, 15 year old David plans to show everyone that he’s proud of who he is, and is intent on becoming the first male carnival queen in his village. Showing on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th. Both directors and David attending.

A Jihad for Love: on a radio debate in South Africa, angry listeners are calling for the death of a Muslim who has rung in and admitted he is gay. But the caller, Muhsin Hendrick, is undeterred, and is determined to find a way to be both openly gay, and a devout Muslim. Formerly married with children, Mushin is just one of many gay Muslims who have opened up their hearts to director Parvez Sharma, himself a gay Muslim. Filmed over five and a half years, in 12 countries with varying degrees of tolerance, it’s global story which has remained taboo for far too long.

Showing on 9th and 10th Nov, with both director and producer attending

A Very British Gangster: who needs American gangsters when you have the Noonans (pictured)? Manchester’s most notorious crime family has ruled the city’s underworld for thirty years. At its head is Dominic Noonan, who has surprisingly agreed to share his world with Director Donal McIntyre. With a round face and steel interior, Dom is the godfather that neighbourhood residents look to for justice, much to the frustration of the police department. Openly gay, with a coterie of impressionable young men, he has developed an unhealthy interest in security vehicles since being released from prison. Showing on 10th and 11th Nov.