The British Council in Thailand is partnering with The British Embassy Bangkok to bring ‘Five Films For Freedom 2022’, the world’s largest LGBTIQ+ digital campaign from the collaboration between the British Council and BFI Flare, to audiences in the country.
Special to this year, Five Films For Freedom is also a part of the UK government’s ‘Safe To Be Me’ global campaign and the UK’s first global LGBT conference to tackle inequality around the world. This year’s five short films under the theme of ‘Love is a Human Right’ from China, Croatia, India, Panama and the UK are now available online and free to view on British Council’s Arts YouTube channel, from 16 – 27 March 2022. For more information, please visit www.britishcouncil.or.th or follow our Facebook fanpage ‘British Council Thailand’.
Ms Helga Stellmacher, Director of the British Council in Thailand stated, ‘Culture and film are powerful ways to promote mutual understanding and support positive change. The British Council, as the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities, uses arts to connect people around the world and our ‘Five Films For Freedom’ explores the diversity, freedom of expression and celebration of difference that characterise UK society. Running since 2015, and live for just under 80 days in total, the programme has now been seen by more than 17 million people. The films have been watched in over 200 countries and principalities, including many parts of the world where homosexuality is criminalised, and all those where it is punishable by the death penalty.’
‘In partnership with BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival, the British Council makes five LGBTIQ+ themed short films available for the world to watch online for free. This year’s five short films from China, Croatia, India, Panama and the UK are now available online and free to view on our British Council’s Arts YouTube channel, from 16 – 27 March 2022. We encourage people to watch the films in solidarity with LGBTIQ+ communities, particularly in places where freedom and equal rights are limited, in recognition of the fact that Love is a Human Right.’
‘Unique to this year, Five Films For Freedom is also a part of series of events leading to the UK government’s ‘Safe To Be Me: A Global Equality Conference’, the UK’s first ever international LGBT conference which will be held in London from 29 June – 1 July 2022 to tackle inequality around the world. By promoting these five films, we hope that it can give voice to LGBTIQ+ people who may not be able to talk about their experiences and encourages conversation and dialogue in support of LGBTIQ+ peoples’ rights and greater inclusion, which the British Council considers to benefit all.’ Ms Helga added.
Mark Gooding, British Ambassador to Thailand, says: “We are delighted to be supporting the British Council as this year’s ‘Five Films For Freedom’ is launched. This is a global digital campaign and I urge you to watch and enjoy the films and show your support for advancing LGBT+ rights here in Thailand and around the world. We believe that nobody should face discrimination because of their identity and that everyone, everywhere, should be free to love who they love and express themselves without fear.”
Five Films for Freedom 2022 – about the films
– Frozen Out (China/USA, Dir Hao Zhou, 5 mins): an immigrant retreats to frozen prairies and forests, hoping to escape the anxieties of dislocation and find meaning in an endless expanse. Delivered as a letter to the protagonist’s sister in rural China, the film meditates on identity, self-exile, home, and ties to family.
– All Those Sensations in my Belly (Croatia, Dir Marko Djeska, 13 mins): an animated documentary about the real life of transgirl, Matia, who relates the story of her experience of the transition process, and the complexity of finding true love with a heterosexual man.
– Sunday (India, Dir Arun Fulara, 10 mins): when the middle-aged Kamble makes his weekly visit to the neighbourhood barber shop, it’s not just for a shave. He can’t wait to be touched by Jaan, the new barber-boy he has a crush on. It’s the highlight of his otherwise dull existence as a married man leading a dual life in a society that resists homosexuality.
– Birthday Boy (Vuelta al Sol) (Panama, Dir Judith Corro, 7 mins): it’s César’s birthday and his parents expect him to wear clothes that make César feel uncomfortable. Now he has to make a decision: continue to please his family’s expectations or be true to his identity as a trans man.
– For Love (UK, Dir Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor, 13 mins): illegal immigrant, Nkechi, lives happily in the shadows with her partner Martha, but when immigration officers turn up unexpectedly, the pair have to make difficult decisions about their future together.
For more information, please visit www.britishcouncil.or.th or follow our Facebook fanpage ‘British Council Thailand’.
