Set aside your concept of Dulwich Picture Gallery as the home of Dutch masters and classical portraiture. This month, the Gallery’s contemporary film programme reflects life in London today and focusses on issues affecting modern urban living.
Next week’s late opening the Gallery (Thursday 20 November) will feature the work of two women filmmakers whose films both cast an eye over different people and communities.
Lovejit Dhaliwal’s film What’s It All About? takes a wry look the veil in the modern world.
She says:
“The film came into being after Jack Straw, (then Foreign Secretary), remarked on how he would ask to see a constituent’s face in surgery if she came in wearing the full veil, covering the face.
“There was a great deal of debate around this issue at the time and I wanted to prick the hot air out of discussion.
“To me, it was becoming ridiculous, the veil was being described as a barrier, a wall etc. I wanted to bring the debate back down to earth and see the veil as a piece of cloth and look at it in a tongue-in-cheek way. This film does just that.”
The film will be screened at 8pm and Lovejit will be there to discuss her work and the issues it raises.
Local Dulwich filmmaker, and DOV contributor, Laverne Hunt will also be showing her most recent film, Chap-a-lino at 8.30pm.
Made with a group of Latin American teenagers from the Aylesbury Estate, the film is part documentary-part silent movie, involves a regeneration project and a short silent movie inspired by local East Street resident, Charlie Chaplin.
Laverne works with groups of young people stimulating their creativity and thinking on issues affecting them. An exhibition associated with the film – curated by DOV writer Steve Slack – will be on show in the Linbury Room and Laverne will take questions after the screening.
Another of Laverne’s films, Butt Out, was shown at last April’s Late. You can read more about her work in a previous article on Dulwich OnView.
These films address issues which go the very heart of the society in which we live. Do come along to see the films and to talk with the two filmmakers.
Calling all Filmmakers
The Late night opening of the Gallery is a perfect opportunity for local filmmakers to see their films screened. At the December even we’ll be celebrating Illuminations, Saul Steinberg’s exhibition featuring his work for The New Yorker.
We like films which reflect the theme of the evening, so if you’ve made any films which feature America or New York, let us know and you could have the chance to show them in public. Alternatively, given the time of year, something cheerful and Christmassy would be ideal. Animated films would be also be great.
So, let us see what you have done! Leave us a comment or get in touch with local film guru Anna de Pass: annadepass@googlemail.com
