Beyond Identity

In a time where labels are constantly being invented, reinvented, and applied, it becomes at times, a distraction rather than a tool for recognition and connection. Short film programme Beyond Identity presents a reimagination of ways of being and coexistence with each short film opening up discussions on different forms of relationships with our selfhood, our bodies, spiritualities, queerness, desires, and friendship.

About curator of Beyond Identity Darunee Terdtoontaveedej

Darunee Terdtoontaveedej is a curator based in The Hague. Trained as an architect and designer, Terdtoontaveedej specialises in cross-disciplinary collaboration. She has worked as a curator at CinemAsia Film Festival and the 49th edition of International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) and is the co-founder of Non Native Native, a cultural platform for aliens.

Films in this programme:

Dear To Me – Monica Vanesa Tedja

A 27-year-old Indonesian, Tim, is having a family vacation with both of his parents on a remote island far from the city, where they learn about the myth of a reincarnated deer that exists somewhere along the beach. Island locals believe that seeing the deer is a sign of meeting one’s soulmate. Tim is the only one who secretly hopes to discover the deer, hiding his desire from his very devout Christian parents.

Lemongrass Girl – Pom Bunsermvicha

According to Thai superstition, a virgin can ward off rain by planting lemongrass upside-down underneath an open sky. This belief remains prevalent to this day. As clouds begin to gather, a young production manager on a film set is tasked to carry out this tradition. As her fellow female co-workers shy away from the duty, she is left with no choice but to take on the burden of becoming the lemongrass girl.

She Dyes Her Hair Pink – Viv Li

Youth, a period of life that is purposely wasted, but full-heartedly enjoyed. Following a young Portuguese girl’s hair dye endeavour, the director remembers her own libertine youth. A dialogue beyond time, space and culture unfolds the truth of being young.

That Day of the Month – Jirassaya Wongsutin

Goy and Lee are best friends. They move through high school as a pair, sitting next to each other in every class. Their period cycles have always been in sync — until one day, they aren’t. Lee begins to wonder what has changed in their relationship.

About workshop Reading My Panties (Artists’ Foyer) – Facilitated by Lu Lin

Reading My Panties is an ongoing project consisting of a series of (maga)zines and pedagogical workshops for marginalised groups drawn on the theory of intersectionality and queer feminism.

Panties, understood as an item of women’s undergarment for the lower body, record our daily usage and expose our self-identification. From a very young age, we learn gender presentations of society and of appropriation through embodying our underwear. The mainstream design of underwear/panties showcases a clear expression of sexes and adds intentional ornaments for emphasising differentiation.

The workshop of Reading My Panties is a safe space for people to openly talk about their panties through collective reading and writing praxis. The workshop aims to engage the LGBTQ fellows to unlearn the conventional definitions of panties and reframe it collectively.