FILM/VIDEO
¡Quba!
¡Quba! tells an epic and intimate story of the LGBTQ movement in Cuba as key activists press for marriage equality and transform the social fabric of their country. Music, humor and performance are persuasive tools that touch the hearts and minds of Cubans as they face the opposition of the evangelical church. ¡Quba! will be released 2021-2022.
Men and Women in Water Cities film series
Men and Women in Water Cities is an epic series of short social practice films made in coastal communities around the world. They speak about cultural resiliency in the face of sea level rise and climate change. To date, these films are made in California, both north and southern parts of the state, Key West, Miami, south Florida, Havana, Cuba, Ipswich, UK, Durban, South Africa.
90 MILES FROM PARADISE
The latest film in a dramatic series of short films, Men and Women in Water Cities. It is an experimental narrative film project set in sea level rise vulnerable Havana and Key West. Havana is a large cosmopolitan city facing the same climate issues as the smaller and more vulnerable Key West. Between them there are eerie parallels and provocative distinctions. Two sets of actors perform on the coastline from their respective cities and recite a secular Dante’s Purgatorio. The sets are abandoned buildings in both Havana and Key West, and Miami. In the process of stripping away the familiar scenario of religious bliss one finds a new portal to the natural world and the ability to face each other as human beings. The dilemmas remain in the hands of those that construct the society. Telenovela actors, such as Javier Guilarte, and Juana Fernandez, deliver intense performances as do Miami actors, David Bennett, Yaniel Castillo, and Shein Mompremier.
Water City, Ipswich
This is the fourth experimental film in Anno's series: Men and Women in Water Cities. It was made in 2018, shot in Ipswich, England. Allie Seabrook is a solo singer, Joe Crawley's Seasick Seagulls sea shanty singers,and his song: The Misty Orwell. Ezquiel Romero Cinematography.
Kim Anno is director/producer
Matthew Brown, post production editor
Water City, Berkeley
This is the third film in MWWC series, an experimental social practice short film, shot in Oakland estuary, and Alameda beach. It features 100 teenagers, cheerleadrs, college students, musicians, dancers, and singers. The participants are playing a post nation-state capture the flag game in the ocean, the crew team is creating a maypole dance, and the Kingdom of Not Band with Dan Carbone is singing. The Oakland estuary set was the last urban historical poetry site called the “Tea House” where Ken kesey’s collaborators once convened.
Water City, Durban
This is the single channel film/video that is part of "Men and Women in Water Cities" It is chapter 2 from Durban. The actors are young people from the Kwazulu-Natal Townships: Sanele Nxasana, Ennocent Mthethwa, Mzamo Miambo, Nosphio Mazibuko, Lumkile Mzayiya, Xaba Nfwluleko,Antonia Raleharebe, Thulani Hlaiswayo,Ntombe Shandu,Sanele Mseleku, It is an experimental video about post sea level rise society and trying to adapt to a watery world for those in port cities. Characters are playing a soccer match in the ocean as they are on lunch break from their white color jobs.The office outfits are inspired by Robert Longo’s Men in Cities painting series. Hence the title of the film series: Men and Women in Water Cities.
Men and Women in Water Cities Chapter one
This is an epic series of short experimental social practice films about cultural resiliency in the face of sea level rise and climate change for those in coastal communities around the world.
This is the first one, it was shown at Flux Projects, Atlanta Georgia among other galleries and museums. It brings together a cast of artist participants making training experiments underwater in swimming pools to practice intellectual life, business, and dance when life is underwater. Anne Seaman provides the slide guitar music composition.
Excerpt from Allie and the map of the London Underground. Allie Maser is reading from a Time/life book about the American Southwest as she writhes in the water.