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Making Masculinities with Take One Action and Pillow Talk Scotland – SOLD OUT
November 22 @ 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Free
**Please note this event is now sold out – we may be able to release more tickets nearer the screening.**
A compelling evening of short films exploring the complexities of masculinity today – from harm to love.
What does it mean to be masculine today? Young men face increasing pressures, grappling with toxic stereotypes and the “loneliness epidemic,” often feeling isolated and inadequate. Data shows that young men are veering to the right globally, underscoring the urgent need to address these issues. However, masculinity is far more fluid and diverse than commonly portrayed, and we invite audiences to reflect on these nuances through a broader, more intersectional lens.
Featuring short films from Glasgow artist Trackie McLeod, filmmakers Miles Warren and Campbell X, director and writer Daniel Bailey and others, Making Masculinities takes us on a journey through masculinity’s many facets.
The event encourages attendees to participate as men or people who identify in some way with masculinity, to bring friends with them, and to bring the men in their lives. Together we’ll have meaningful conversations about male identity’s positive and negative aspects. Hosted by Take One Action, the Scottish Queer International Film Festival, and Pillow Talk Scotland, the screening will take place on 22nd November, shortly after International Men’s Day and just ahead of this year’s 16 Days of Activism. This event provides an opportunity to challenge traditional narratives and promote a healthier understanding of masculinity today.
Curated by Iris Pase, Rachel Hamada, and Zeo Fawcett, with support from Indigo Korres.
Tickets are FREE. To book, click here and you’ll be redirected to the Take One Action website.
Understanding Masculinity Trackie McLeod, 2018, UK, 5 minutes
Trackie McLeod is a Scottish artist based in Glasgow. Best known for his text-based work, Trackie recontextualises our relationship with everyday colloquialisms. His punchy take on sculpture, textiles and print mixed with his love of Scottish patter creates a visual best described as ‘one part tongue-in-cheek, an ounce of sarcasm and a pint of Tennent’s Lager’. Here, in an early piece of his work, he explores experiences of masculinity.
I Love Hooligans Jan-Dirk Bouw, 2013, Netherlands, 13 minutes
In this animated short, a football hooligan feels unconditional love for his club. However, being gay, he has to hide his identity in order to survive in this world that is so precious to him.
Father and Son Mitchell Lazar, 2018, US, 7 minutes
An up and coming writer competes against his father for a prestigious book award. This portrait of male insecurity and psychological cruelty shows that violence doesn’t have to be physical to maim – but who will triumph?
Des!re Campbell X, 2017, UK, 9 minutes Trailer
DES!RE is an experimental film exploring desire for transmasc, transmen, butch, stud, aggressives, masculine of centre (MOC) people assigned female at birth. Stunning black and white images drift across the screen while transmen, femme women and butch and MOC people speak about the complexity of their desire.
Bruiser Miles Warren, 2022, USA, 10 minutes
After his father gets into a fight at a bowling alley, Darious begins to investigate the limitations of his own manhood. Inspired by Worldstar fight videos, this Sundance and SXSW selected short film interrogates the emotional fallout of macho violence, and inspired a later feature debut by the director.
Soft Bwoi Daniel Bailey, 2022, UK, 5 minutes
In yardie culture, “yuh too soft” can mark you from childhood, the equivocation of gentleness and sensitivity with weakness and irrelevance. This ensemble production refuses such sentiment and Babylon itself, using folklore and imagery from Caribbean carnival culture and queerness to redefine this misconception. The concealment of emotion, embracing norms, and the repression of femininity are no longer signs of power and strength. Instead, it is in seeking the divine feminine, deep connections with one another and the rejection of toxicity that will unite Black men to find better ways to survive in this harsh but limitless world. Yes lawd!
You Can’t Always Get What You Want But You Can Get Me Samira Elagoz/Z Walsh, 2023, Canada, 13 minutes
A unique slideshow documenting two longhaired trans men falling in love. Over the course of one year, the artist couple gathered photographs from real-life events such as their first kiss, meeting each other’s parents, long distance thirst traps, a beach wedding, and top surgery. A sweet and steamy celebration of T4T love with life and art all tangled up.
La Vita Semplice Lucas Tielke, 2022, Italy, 3 minutes
Pedro and Flavio live a simple and beautiful life together, filled to the brim with love, away from the distractions of the outside world. For the past 30 years, they have poured their heart and soul into their scenic property situated in the rolling hills of Bologna. The instant you meet them their commitment to “The Beautiful Life” becomes apparent.
BEYOND THE SCREEN: Following the films, a panel and interactive audience discussion will further explore the themes presented. The discussion will be hosted by Zeo Fawcett, and will feature actor, writer and storyteller Adam Kashmiry and Isaac Hoff from the University of Glasgow. We’ll also be asking the audience to share their experiences, good and bad, of masculinity and your ideas about what positive masculinity looks like.
Adam Kashmiry is a neurodivergent Egyptian-born and Glasgow-raised performer, storyteller, experimental mover and writer, and queer activist. Some of the projects Adam has worked on include autobiographical BAFTA-winning film Adam; As You Like It with Northern Broadsides; Tako Taal’s After Kinte; Where Are You From? at the Children’s Festival; Everyman and Who I am now? from Bombito Productions; Walter Sholto Douglas; and the exhibition The Untold Stories of People Who Shaped Scotland.
Isaac Hoff is a lecturer in media and sociology at the University of Glasgow with interests in masculinities, youth, culture and class. He has written about masculinities, transitions to adulthood and leisure. He completed his PhD at the University of Leicester’s research institute for cultural and media economies in 2021 and has been at Glasgow since September 2022.
Accessibility:
- BSL-English interpretation for introduction and discussions.
- English Descriptive Subtitles.
- Wheelchair Access.
- Content Notes:
- I Love Hooligans: Depictions of physical violence, homophobia, strobing lights.
- Bruiser: Depictions of physical violence
- You Can’t Always Get What You Want But You Can Get Me: Discussion of surgery, sex, genitalia. Depiction of nudity, sex, bodily fluids, hospitalisation, surgical drains, needles, blood, stitches, fresh top surgery scars, pain medication, scabbing wounds.
If you have any other access needs you would like to discuss with us, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
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Image Credit: La Vita Semplice (2022, Dir Lukas Tielke)