Rage and Desire & Difficult Love

In collaboration with the June Givanni Pan-African Cinema Archive, we present a screening of Wolverhampton-born Ruppert Gabriel’s Rage and Desire alongside Zanele Muholi’s Difficult Love.

Responding to material held within the June Givanni Pan-African Cinema Archive, this programme seeks to place the archive within the context of Birmingham. The result showcases the groundbreaking work of British-Nigerian photographer Rotimi Fani-Kayode and South African visual artist and activist Zanele Muholi.Through their respective practices, both artists explore the profound tensions between sexuality, race, heritage, and gender.

By bringing these films together, we reflect on a radical history of photography in Birmingham, drawing upon legacies such as Ten.8 magazine in Handsworth, the photographic defiance of Vanley Burke, and Wide Angle’s community photography in Small Heath, while contemplating their continued influence on our cultural landscape today.

After the screening, Flatpack’s programme officer Juwairiyyah Wali will be in conversation with curator Pelumi Odubanjo. Together, they will discuss the legacy of ten.8 in Birmingham and its recent revival through a new exhibition at New Art Gallery Walsall. Please note: Pelumi will be on Zoom.

This screening is part of a wider collaboration with the June Givanni Pan-African Cinema Archive.

JGPACA recognises the potential that exists to serve a larger and wider community of users, extending beyond its London-centred location and linking its PanAfrican networks regionally and to Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe. Importantly, JGPACA seeks to enable audiences and participants (communities) in the project to develop their cultural awareness, with a recognition of the complexities of Black identities.

This project is created with the support of the BFI Screen Heritage Fund, awarding National Lottery funding.