“You can be queer, as long as you keep it private.”
How many times have you heard that from family, friends, enemies? This short Irish film explores public displays of affection by the lgbt community and how we hide them so that the people around us feel comfortable.
Hold on Tight from Anna Rodgers on Vimeo.
Holding hands or kissing in public isn’t for everyone. When it comes to same sex relationships, showing your love outside of the home is sometimes a complicated personal choice. This short documentary moves between the public and private spaces in which lesbian and gay couples live, and explores small gestures of human connectedness. These gentle interactions not only carry a huge personal significance, but also the potent power to create social change. Yet, for most people, being affectionate beyond the hall door isn’t intended as a political statement – it’s an expression of love.
Directed by Anna Rodgers, Produced by Zlata Filipovic
Cinematography by Kate Mc Cullough, Sound by Christian Byrne, Edited by Martha Meyler, Music by Hugh Rodgers.
Awards:
ABSOLUT GAZE Filmmakers Award
Highly Commended IRIS Prize 2011
Runner Up, Human Rights Film Awards 2012, Ireland
Best Documentary in the Digital Media, Radharc Awards, Ireland
Official Selections:
Gaze International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (opening night film), Ireland
Kerry Film Festival, Ireland
Corona Cork Film Festival, Ireland
IRIS Prize Festival, Wales
PRIDE LGBTQ Film Festival, Bloomington, USA
Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival, USA
London Short Film Festival, UK
The Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Australia
Dingle International Film Festival, Ireland
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, USA
Byron Bay International Film Festival, Australia
Ashland Independent Film Festival, USA
Boston Irish Film Festival, USA
Cleveland International Film Festival, USA
Pink Apple Festival, Switzerland
Palm Springs International ShortFest, USA
Corona Fastnet Short Film Festival, Ireland
Philadelphia QFest, USA
Out Twin Cities Film Festival, USA
Queer Fruits Film Festival, Australia
Durban Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, South Africa
Q Cinema, Fort Worth’s Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, USA
Frameline36 International Film Festival, USA
Los Angeles International Film Festival, USA
Columbia Gorge International Film Festival, USA
Queer Lisboa, Lisbon Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Portugal
Barcelona International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, Spain
North Louisiana Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, USA
Healdsburg International Short Film Festival, USA
Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, USA
Vox Feminae Festival, Croatia
Durango Film Independent Festival, USA