I. Loving the Alien
Movies about alien beings from other worlds are generally seen as good box office. This programme, in complete reversal, looks at the work of four diverse directors who dared to turn the camera on the sub-species of ‘fashion aliens’ who exist within our society. Covering everything from high glamour to lowlife, and cult to couture, each film brilliantly integrates into its storyline a completely outlandish fashion strand of its day, whilst also clearly illustrating how fashion in its extreme sits uncomfortably in the real world.
Guest-curated by Roger K. Burton.
→ Read his essay ‘Loving the Alien’ here.
Paris is Burning
Saturday 27 May, 15:00 | The Horse Hospital | Duration: 71'Based in the underworld, Paris is Burning (1982) director Jennie Livingstone documents an infamous ensemble of African-American and Hispanic young men, who live out their high fashion female fantasies and obsessions by mimicking catwalk supermodels. These highly competitive rituals are carried out on the dance floor of Brooklyn nightclubs. Here again these spectacles are carried on in virtual exclusivity behind closed doors, far away from the prying eyes of the general public.
Liquid Sky
Saturday 27 May, 15:00 | The Horse Hospital | Duration: 118'The cult feature film Liquid Sky (1982) falls into the science fiction genre, so it is immediately labelled as make-believe. However, what director Slava Tsukerman has cleverly done here, is lend plausibility to his fictitious characters by basing their stylish futuristic outfits on a genuine fashion - labelled "New Wave" - that was prevalent in the New York underground scene at the time of making the film.
The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield
Saturday 27 May, 19:10 | The Horse Hospital | Duration: 99'With The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield (1968) a documentary, we have a highly visible celebrity guide and host. Mansfield, complete with her pet chihuahua, personally introduces us to a darker, generally hidden side of humanity, taking us on a fantastical journey deep into the underbelly of the American and European sex trade.
True Stories
Saturday 27 May, 19:10 | The Horse Hospital | Duration: 90'Director David Byrne of Talking Heads fame, personally escorts us into the heart land of contemporary "Middle American" mall life, in the mythical Texas town of Virgil. Renowned for his deep love of irony Byrne paints a picture of an idealistic , familiar place, where everyone conforms to regular society, but displays their own unique brand of individuality.
SUPPORTED BY