The VITO Project and Butch, Please! have teamed up this month to present Stranger Inside, the 2001 Cheryl Dunye classic, starring Yolonda Ross and Davenia McFadden.

Dunye’s second feature is the story of Treasure Lee (Yolanda Ross), a young African American woman who has moved out of ‘juvenile’ prison to the State Pen in search of Brownie (Davenia Mc Fadden) the mother she never knew. Based on four years of research into the lives of incarcerated women, the film is an authentic study of American prison life in the 21st century. Once again Dunye creatively mixes documentary and narrative filmmaking styles. Also featured are images from Dunye’s collaboration with renowned photographer Catherine Opie.

The screening will be followed by an open discussion with Campbell X, director of Stud Life and Dorett Jones, Black feminist film maker and co-curator of this year’s London Feminist Film Festival. Tabitha Benjamin, Butch, Please! club promoter and singer & songwriter, will be our host for the evening.

The project is endorsed by BFI Flare: London LGBT film festival, 56 Dean St, QX Magazine, Gay’s the Word, ACT UP London, Gay Mates, a Change of Scene, the Cara Trust, I-Base, UK-CAB, Positively UK, Gaydio, NAZ Project, Frank Byrne & his walkers and Broad Appeal Podcast.

Doors to the cafe/bar will open at 18.00 for a 19.00 screening. Come early to secure a seat as it can get very busy and we do not take bookings. The doors to the Cinema will be shut once capacity is reached.

TICKETS & PRICING

This is a free event but we need your donations on the night to ensure the continuation of the VITO project. All donations go towards covering the costs associated with running the event (film licences, heating and lighting, rental of the premises, printing, promotion etc). Donations are VITO’s only source of funding and we need to raise an average of £5 per person just to cover our costs. So PLEASE DIG DEEP and give us a paper donation if you are able to.

Find out more about the VITO Project on their website.