Archival Disruptions:
A Trilogy on Race, Gender, and SexualityJyoti Mistry’s archival trilogy on race, gender, and sexuality deals with the racialization of Black masculinity and racist violence («When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Black Man»), intersectional sexism and femicide («Cause of Death»), and queer sexuality and love («Loving in Between»). These overarching themes are connected by Mistry’s collaborations with spoken word artists Kgafela oa Magagodi and Napo Masheane. The film material is drawn from colonial archives, travelogues, amateur films, and other found footage to create poetic visual forms that comment on historical and contemporary violence and our political consciousness. The archival fabulations aim to invite dialogue and produce visceral experiences by layering animation with the archival footage. Language that disempowers and marginalizes one group over another exposes the social and political structures that continue to oppress groups of people.
«When I Grow Up I Want to Be a Black Man» comprises two screens with contrasting themes. The first screen uses a voice-over called the «alphabet of violence» to describe the experiences of Black individuals. Instead of subjective accounts or historical references, the voice presents a visceral vocabulary of violence, aiming to capture its corporeality and evoke strong imagery. The second screen symbolizes hope and the revival of the value of Black men in society. Here, a voice-over called the «alphabet of freedom» speaks a language of liberation and possibilities.
«Cause of Death» addresses femicide, violence against women, and the structural power dynamics that perpetuate them. The imagery intertwines scenes of daily life with harrowing animations, highlighting the dangers women experience. Autopsy reports and archival sequences expose the physical impact leading to death and evoke the structural violence inflicted on women’s bodies. It is a powerful call for justice, demanding visibility and recognition for the women affected by societal violence.
«Loving in Between» explores love as a force of emancipation. The film celebrates queer expression and the transformative power of Eros by creating an optimistic and affirmative archival universe that challenges societal norms and prejudices. With archival footage from European film archives that spans the 20th century in scenes ranging from private lives to public events, it is a testament to the expressions of queer life and love as intrinsic to cultural memory.
«Archival Disruptions» will be screened as a complete trilogy for the first time, and Jyoti Mistry will be in attendance for this world premiere.
Curated by John Canciani
