I AM GAY AND MUSLIM on Exhibition
The I am Gay and Muslim photo series is from 26 march till 25 may, 2013, on display at Amsterdam municipality Stadsdeelkantoor Oost.
Exhibition photo series I AM GAY AND MUSLIM 26 march – 25 may 2013, at Amsterdam municipality Stadsdeelkantoor Oost, the Netherlands.
Opening, by alderman Lieke Thesingh, already took place. The photo exhibition and various screenings of the film in Amsterdam East-area are facilitated by Stadsdeel Oost to discuss the topics of sexual diversity and tolerance.
I am Gay and Muslim photo exhibition Amsterdam Stadsdeel Oost
26 march – 25 may, 2013
Oranje-Vrijstaatplein 2, Amsterdam
> website Stadsdeel Oost
Visual Diary #15 – Shooting Something Else
I am a better shot on film.
First time shooting range result
Oscar winner Malik Bendjelloul
Swedish director Malik Bendjelloul wins the 2013 Academy Award Best Documentary Feature with documentary Searching for Sugar Man (shared with producer Simon Chinn).
The story behind this highly acclaimed documentary is incredible. Although the film was at IDFA 2012, i still haven’t had the chance to see it. But i did do a series of portraits of Malik Bendjelloul.
Malik Bendjelloul, 2013 Oscar winner Best Documentary Feature with Searching for Sugar Man
November 2012, Bram Belloni for IDFA
Congrats Malik!
> more Searching for Sugar Man on Sony Classics
> more on the Oscars 2013
Editorial Portraits for IFFR 2013
For the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2013 edition i am working on various editorial portraits. Guests, usually directors and producers – sometimes cast-, will have their portrait taken for festival magazine Daily Tiger and other publications.
The main competition is the Hivos Tiger Awards Competition, in which debutante directors (with their first feature-length film) compete. A small selection of the, so-called, Tigers.
Visra Vichit Vadakan, director Sao karaoke (Karaoke Girl), in the Tiger Awards Competition.January 2013, Bram Belloni for IFFR
Giovanni Columbu, director Su Re (The King), in the Tiger Awards Competition.January 2013, Bram Belloni for IFFR
Mohammad Shirvani, director Larzanandeye charbi (Fat Shaker), in the Tiger Awards Competition.January 2013, Bram Belloni for IFFR
Besides interesting personalities in front of the camera, Rotterdam city itself is also amazing for taking pictures. With modern architecture, the light and locations differs so much from, for example, the more historical Amsterdam where i am used to work in.
Fien Troch, director Kid, in the IFFR Spectrum program.January 2013, Bram Belloni for IFFR
> Read more; International Film Festival Rotterdam 2013 site
In Memoriam: Jeroen Willems (1962 – 2012)
Today there was the sad news that Jeroen Willems, Dutch actor and performer, passed away at the age of 50.
In memoriam: Jeroen Willems (1962 – 2012), with Carine Crutzen (right).
2010, Bram Belloni
Jeroen Willems was known for his acting in film, TV-drama and on stage. More recently also as a musician (singer).
His performances, powerful and passionate, and characters, often mysterious and intriguing, were always a joy to watch.
Jeroen Willems sings Jacques Brel, Wie Volgt – Au Suivant (via MrMoskofiets2)
Editorial Portraits for IDFA Magazine
More editorial portraits for the cover of the IDFA Special (the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam festival-paper).
Every cover highlights a certain program shown during the festival. The portraits are combined with stills of the films which are featured in that specific program. Like we did in issue #1, seen here; Holly Hardman for IDFA Magazine.
Alexander Reben and Brent Hoff, initiators project Robots in Residence (BlabDroids).
2012, Bram Belloni for IDFA
Malik Bendjelloul, director Searching for Sugar Man.
2012, Bram Belloni for IDFA
Victor Kossakovsky, director ¡Vivan las antipodas! and this years festival Special Guest.
2012, Bram Belloni for IDFA
> publication: IDFA Special, www.idfa.nl
> art direction: Sjoukje van Gool
Holly Hardman for IDFA Magazine
First editions cover of the IDFA Special (the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam festival-paper) features Holly Hardman, director of feature length documentary Good People Go to Hell, Saved People Go to Heaven.
We combined a rather clean portrait with stills of the film.
Holly Hardman, director documentary Good People Go to Hell, Saved People Go to Heaven.
2012, Bram Belloni for IDFA
> publication: IDFA Special, www.idfa.nl
> art direction: Sjoukje van Gool
I Am Gay and Muslim project round up
Last month the I Am Gay and Muslim project was involved in a lot of activities. Chris visits various international film festivals for the documentary and the photo series is on display in two exhibitions.
I Am Gay and Muslim documentary Banned in Kyrgyzstan
The film documentary makes its way well through the festival circuit. After festival screenings in South Africa, Italy, USA and Portugal, Chris went to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan where the film was programmed as closing film at the Bir Duino film festival.
Kyrgyz military prevents screening I Am Gay and Muslim documentary at Bir Duino film festival. September 28th, 2012, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
What should have been the first screening in an Islamic country turned out otherwise. The film got banned by the Prosecutor General’s office after the Kyrgyz State Committee on Religious Affairs determined it to be “extremist,” “offensive to Muslims,” and “inciting interreligious hatred”.
Read more:
> Kyrgyzstan: Rights Activists Condemn Ban on Gay Muslim Documentary – Eurasianet.org
> Film Ban Violates Free Speech – Human Rights Watch
> Poppetje niet gezien – moslimhomo in Kirgizië moet in dicht kastje blijven – NRC (dutch)
Exhibition Mooiman Gallery
On October 6th there was the opening of the Gay & Muslim Exhibition at Mooiman Gallery, Groningen. This gay and Muslim themed exhibition features the photo series (and film) next to the works of Dutch photographer Diana Blok and Secret Garden Foundation.
Exhibition Gay & Muslim, Mooiman Gallery. October 6th – November 26th, 2012, Groningen
The combination of our series and the series See Through Us by Diana Blok (portraits and stories of gay women/men and transsexuals in Turkey) works very well and i am thrilled because i was a fan of this series from the start.
A review in Dagblad van het Noorden, Dutch regional newspaper, on October 8th, 2012:
Review exhibition Gay & Muslim, Dagblad van het Noorden – October 8th, 2012 (click for bigger image)
Gay & Muslim Exhibition
October 6th – November 26th 2012
Mooiman Gallery, Groningen
> website Mooiman Gallery
I Am Gay and Muslim photo series at Pride Photo Award 2012
At last, but not least, there was the Pride Photo Award 2012, for which the I Am Gay and Muslim project was rewarded with a special mention. The Pride Photo Awards focuses on LGBT-issues and gathers a lot of attention on the subject with a exhibition in the Oude Kerk and huge displays throughout the city (on no less than seven locations!).
Exhibition winners Pride Photo Award 2012 at Rembrandtplein, Amsterdam. Middle; the project I Am Gay and Muslim by Chris Belloni and Bram Belloni (Photography). Right; project Moms and gays by Diederick Habermehl. Amsterdam, September – November 2012.
Exhibition winners Pride Photo Award 2012 at NDSM Werf, Amsterdam. Right; the project I Am Gay and Muslim by Chris Belloni and Bram Belloni (Photography). Left; project Moms and gays by Diederick Habermehl. Amsterdam, September – November 2012.
I Am Gay and Muslim project, opening exhibition Pride Photo Award 2012. Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, September 28th, 2012. Photo: (c) Wim Salis
I Am Gay and Muslim project, opening exhibition Pride Photo Award 2012. Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, September 28th, 2012. Photo: (c) Wim Salis
Besides exhibition of winners, there was also a side-programme to bring up discussion like Meet & Greets with the makers and the incorporation of the PPA in other events like De Donkere Kamer.
Pride Photo Award Meet & Greet, with makers I Am Gay and Muslim, Chris & Bram Belloni. Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, October 14th, 2012.
Congrats to all winners, who made this year’s PPA one of surprisingly diversity!
Pride Photo Award 2012 Exhibition
September 29th – October 28th 2012
Oude Kerk, Amsterdam
> website Pride Photo Award
read more on the award and see the winners
> on Le Journal de la Photographie – which, btw, also features ours here (with many thanks to Christian Caujolle!)
