‘Nobody said it was easy, but nobody said it would be this hard’ is both plagerism, and a convenient summation of our themes.

Well, the theme is basically love, which, actually, everyone says is hard as fuck.

Now, finding love in a foreign land?! All the same shit with added fun: prejudice, language barriers and culture shock.

Or familial love; gay uncles coming through with old gay shit you need to know or fathers saying fuck the neighbours and whoever else is stopping their baby from being happy.

But against all the odds it’s self-love that is beautiful to see in any diaspora.

Shame (عيب) | dir. Hadi Moussally | Lebanon 2024 | 4’
In the 19th century, in the Levant region, Salma Zahore, along with her parents and neighbors, participated in a photoshoot using a long exposure technique. At the end of it, Salma decided to take off her coat, revealing her body. Unaware of the chaos this gesture could cause within her circle, she did not know it could lead to shame (عيب).

NEVER STOP SHOUTING | dir. Abdellah Taïa | France 2024 | 10’
The writer and filmmaker Abdellah Taia writes a letter to his gay nephew, Brahim, to help him getting out of fear, to support him, to walk beside him. To love him strongly.

Freedom of Movement | dir. Fadl Fakhouri | USA 2024 | 23’
A poetry film that draws comparisons between haflat shabab (Palestinian bachelor parties), Oakland California's illegal rave scene, and the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Queer Exile | dir. Ahmed Awadalla | Germany 2024 | 10’
After fleeing Egypt in the wake of the 2011 revolution, an activist seeks refuge in Berlin, yearning for a fresh start and the promise of safety and freedom. Yet, his journey leads him to a refugee camp situated in an area frequented by far-right groups staging anti-refugee demonstrations. Caught in the crossfire of hostility in his adopted home and the longing for his former life, he reflects on his past and contemplates his future, confronting profound questions about belonging, sacrifice, and the true meaning of freedom.

Everything is easy, Everything is hard | dir. Pamela | France, Lebanon 2024 | 6’
Omar returns from a date with Alex, and he seems somewhat disconnected. A little game with Alex makes him burst and start talking about everything he experienced abroad.
Director Biography

Breaking Through (L'Échappée) | dir. Siham Bel | France 2024 | 28’
Every summer, Safia returns to Corsica to visit her dad. Ever since she left the island years before, she has kept her distance. On the surface, she seems close to her family, but a secret is stopping them from connecting. This summer, an announcement is going to shake up the family and take Safia on an unexpected journey of self-discovery on the winding and rocky roads of the Mediterranean island.

In partnership with Nafs Space with Q&A hosted by Drew Demetry.

Programme runtime: 1h 23m

cw: homophobia, colonialism

*if ticket price is a barrier, please email jack.birch@richmix.org.uk for a free ticket

Covid safety

Covid isn’t over. In solidarity with our higher-risk siblings and to keep each other safe, we’re encouraging visitors to the festival to:

• wear a mask if you can

• do a test before attending the festival, especially if you’ve been in contact with someone who’s been ill

Please do not attend if you have covid, cold or flu symptoms.

Access

This screening will have captions.

Rich Mix has:

• step free access to the venue via a permanent ramp

• step free access to all floors, performance spaces and screens

• wheelchair spaces in each cinema screen - contact the venue to book

• four accessible toilets with RADAR locks

• induction loop in the Stage and the Studio

• infrared system in the Studio and cinema screens

• chill out room during the main festival weekend, 20 to 22 September

PA/companion tickets can be booked via the venue with a CEA card.

Read more about accessibility at Rich Mix

Relaxed screening

This will be a relaxed screening, which means it’s OK if you need to:

• arrive late

• move around

• make noise

• leave the screening and come back