QUEER IS – A SHORT FILM BY QUEERS FOR QUEERS
A STATEMENT SHORT FILM CREATED FOR QUEER LIVES THAT ARE LOST AND THOSE THAT LIVE IN FEAR
[JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA]: Today, the much-anticipated release of the statement short film written and executive produced by Afrotist, QUEER IS, is announced and released on YouTube, Vimeo and Vidual. The intention behind the creation of QUEER IS with an all queer cast and a predominantly queer crew was to create awareness of the rapid increase of African Queer Murders and stand in solidarity for all the other Queer Bodies that still live in fear that their lives might be lost due to the homophobic energy that roams Africa as a result of the oppression and misunderstanding of what being Queer and African is. Incredibly shot, directed and edited by the incomparable Sbusile Mhlanga, produced by the incredible Nomathemba Mavuso and co-directed by the talented Lungile Khumalo, these creative came together to create a masterpiece that QUEER IS, is.
Of the short film’s recent release, Writer and Executive Producer of the film, Afrotist said, “QUEER IS was more than just an idea. It was a spiritual whisper from God, an instruction to write and work with other Queer creatives to be the voice for the voiceless, to teach and to heal. I am honoured to have been chosen to be the vessel for this message, and to have worked with insanely talented creatives because I wouldn’t have done this by myself. Now the goal is for this film to reach the people it was meant for and for it to touch them the way it was meant to touch them.”
The film is intended to reach a broader mass both nationally and internationally to ensure that the message is put across and heard loud and clear.
[About QUEER IS]: QUEER IS, is a short film that captures all that Queerness Is, written, shot and created by Queer People and played by Queer People for Queer People. The film says, “being Queer is more African than being Queerphobic.” The belief that Queerness is unAfrican and a sin has fuelled a lot of Queerphobia and Queer abuse in Africa and has led to many Queer people live in fear that their lives might be lost and their blood shed due to the hate of Queer People that stems from the misunderstanding of what Queerness is.
Writer: Afrotist (@afrotist_)