queer loox explores in April the notions of trans-gender and the relations between gender, identity and freedom.
Wariazone, Estonia 2011, Regie: Kiwa & Terje Toomistu, 58 Min. (English, Indonesian, Javanese with English subtitles)
The documentary takes a look at gender beyond the traditional female-male model. It presents Indonesian transgender women, who are known by the word waria (wanita, woman + pria, man), and who challenge the more “binary” or “either/or” thinking about sex and gender often found in modern, industrial societies. They are a well-known group of people in the cultural mosaic of the country, which has the world‘s largest Muslim community. Through the voices of around 40 warias, the film gives insights into the notion of transgender, transgender subjects in Indonesia, and the relations between gender identity and freedom. The film is anchored in the local Indonesian context and also raises questions about the politicization of morality and religion in Indonesia. While warias are often described in the local context as a combination of masculinity and femininity, a third sex, or a woman’s soul born in the body of a man, they are, today, relegated to an outlaw zone on the outskirts of society as well.
The situation is more than complex: Activist attempts to increase tolerance through public activities have paradoxically forced the warias to keep silent. Bringing sexuality to the public’s attention has provided the extreme religious groups with the opportunity to attack them in the name of “protecting public morals” and the “freedom of speech”. The authors, Kiwa & Terje Toomistu, describe themselves as “exploring non-conventional life-styles and cultural phenomenons that reveal and criticize the rigidity of social constructions, power hierarchies” (press kit).
As supporting film we screen the music clip L.A.lienation, Germany 2010, Music: Andrea Neumann & Sabine Ercklentz, photography Anja Weber, 8 min. The music duo Ercklentz/Neumann produced, together with Anja Weber, a video clip in order to make their music available to a broader public and to increase the chance to hit the charts one day.
Wariazone, Estonia 2011, Regie: Kiwa & Terje Toomistu, 58 Min. (English, Indonesian, Javanese with English subtitles)
The documentary takes a look at gender beyond the traditional female-male model. It presents Indonesian transgender women, who are known by the word waria (wanita, woman + pria, man), and who challenge the more “binary” or “either/or” thinking about sex and gender often found in modern, industrial societies. They are a well-known group of people in the cultural mosaic of the country, which has the world‘s largest Muslim community. Through the voices of around 40 warias, the film gives insights into the notion of transgender, transgender subjects in Indonesia, and the relations between gender identity and freedom. The film is anchored in the local Indonesian context and also raises questions about the politicization of morality and religion in Indonesia. While warias are often described in the local context as a combination of masculinity and femininity, a third sex, or a woman’s soul born in the body of a man, they are, today, relegated to an outlaw zone on the outskirts of society as well.
The situation is more than complex: Activist attempts to increase tolerance through public activities have paradoxically forced the warias to keep silent. Bringing sexuality to the public’s attention has provided the extreme religious groups with the opportunity to attack them in the name of “protecting public morals” and the “freedom of speech”. The authors, Kiwa & Terje Toomistu, describe themselves as “exploring non-conventional life-styles and cultural phenomenons that reveal and criticize the rigidity of social constructions, power hierarchies” (press kit).
As supporting film we screen the music clip L.A.lienation, Germany 2010, Music: Andrea Neumann & Sabine Ercklentz, photography Anja Weber, 8 min. The music duo Ercklentz/Neumann produced, together with Anja Weber, a video clip in order to make their music available to a broader public and to increase the chance to hit the charts one day.