Loudest Whispers
LGBT History Month film day
Saturday 13 February, 11.00–18.00
Stevenson Lecture Theatre
Free, ticket required for each film
Enjoy a day of films exploring LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender) themes that link to the Museum’s collection, covering
a range of cultures and periods.
Curated by Peter Herbert, The Arts Project.
Section 1:
11.00–13.00
Yukinojo henge (An Actor’s Revenge)
A beautiful and vividly colourful film charting the revenge of
Kabuki actor Yukinojo. The film allows a glimpse into 19th-century
Edo Japan, and the all-male world of Kabuki, where male actors play
both male and female roles.
Japan, 1963, 113 minutes, Certificate PG
Director: Kon Ichikawa
13.00–13.45 Lunch
Section 2: 13.45–16.00
13.45–13.55
Bhowani Junction (4-minute clip)
A short excerpt from a film exploring the British withdrawal from
India, directed by George Cukor in 1956 – a time when it was
unusual for a Hollywood director to be openly gay. The film’s
same-sex dance sequence appears to merge male and female
characteristics as the film’s main character (Ava Gardner) looks
on.
USA/UK, 1956, clip is 4 minutes
Director: George Cukor
14.00–14.40
Gulabi Aaina (The Pink Mirror)
The first Hindi film about drag queens, building on the long
culture of men portraying women in Indian films, was released
independently as the director could not find backing for a film
focusing on gay culture. This is a riotous film with serious notes
amongst the song and dance routines.
India, 2003, 40 minutes
Director: Sridhar Rangayan
14.40–14.50 Break
14.50–15.40 (Section 2 continued)
Manjuben Truck Driver
Challenging conformity in India, Miss Manju deals with danger and
prejudice in her chosen profession as a long-distance truck driver.
Exploring gender identity and the threat and beauty to be found on
Indian roads, this film charts one woman’s determination not to be
categorised.
India, 2003, 52 minutes
Director: Sherna Dastur
15.40–16.00 Break
Section 3:
16.00–18.00
Satyricon
Based loosely upon the fragmented writings of Petronius, Fellini’s
film, set in 1st-century Rome, flits between events in the lives of
two student friends, Encolpio and Ascilto. Decadent, fragmentary
and atmospheric, the film calls into question the morals, attitudes
and actions of a variety of characters and their varied
relationships in a series of scenes which are intensely strange,
sometimes beautiful, and often vast in scope.
Italy/France, 1969, 129 minutes, Certificate 18
Director: Federico Fellini
In partnership with Camden LGBT Forum
Book tickets
Phone +44 (0)20 7323 8181
Ticket Desk in Great Court
Open 10.00 to 16.45 daily
Related events
All events calendars
Image: The Warren Cup, a silver cup with
relief decoration of homoerotic scenes. Roman, mid-1st century AD.
Said to be from Bittir (ancient Bethther), near Jerusalem.