KIKI

The documentary KIKI (2016) directed by Sara Jordenö provides an insight into the world of today’s young black LGBT community in New York, which emerged from Harlem’s ballroom movement of the 1980s. We will be taking a look at the balls where participants of voguing competitions compete for trophies – and will get to know the youthful activists and contributors within the scene. Today, in an age when same-sex marriage is finally legal, many young people discuss gender-political questions in an enlightened manner. But what remains is marginalisation of BIPOC and trans persons and, with it, the desire for acceptance.

In collaboration, feminist Streikkino and the «Tanz in Bern» festival present a film that highlights the power of today’s activist voguing community and the obstacles it faces. This event will be followed by Choy Ka Fai’s performance «Yishun is burning» at Dampfzentrale on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 November. Thirty years after the documentary «Paris is Burning», this dance performance interweaves globalised themes with traditional and contemporary movement practices, engaging local voguers in the process.

Post screening talk

The screening will be followed by a talk with Sun LaBeija und Ivy Monteiro, Mother Tropikahl Ivy B. Poderosa, about resistant dance practices, the activism of the local voguing community and the question of who is allowed to discuss the community. The discussion will be moderated by Renan aka Empress Hausvrau B. Poderosa.

The conversation will be held in English.