YAOI – A Trilogy by Lotte Nielsen

Watermill Alum, Lotte Nielsen, will present a screening of three short films, YAOI Copenhagen, YAOI Long Island and YAOI Istanbul at Southampton Arts Center.

The participants in the film have been culled from local LGBT organizations in three cities. YAOI Copenhagen was filmed in an abandoned movie theater on the outskirts of Copenhagen, YAOI Istanbul was shot in a dilapidated wooden house in Istanbul, and YAOI Long Island was created at the Watermill Center. All films include fictional elements in an otherwise true-to-life narrative. The “characters” seem to be playing themselves, while at the same time displaying fictionalized versions of their own lives. This contrast is brought about by placing members of the casts of the three films in environments with which they are unfamiliar while, at the same time, allowing participants to introduce elements the artist herself did not expect.

In all three films, Lotte Nielsen works with groups of young persons who represent different genders as well a broad range of sexual inclinations. Gender and sexual orientation are mixed in unexpected ways. What interests the artist is to explore how the various categories of gender and disposition correspond to the range of possibilities such a category might entail. What does it mean to an individual who sees him or herself as belonging to a particular group when he or she is placed in a context that is new, with individuals who are similarly grouped when challenged to interact with members of a group other than his or her own.  It is Lotte Nielsen’s goal as an artistic filmmaker to put certain issues of gender and sexual orientation in focus and to explore possibilities of interaction that will give young LGBT persons the confidence to be themselves. It is also hoped that by participating in such a film the participants will be proud of an achievement they might otherwise not have experienced.

The film will be followed by a panel discussion. Space is limited. Make your free reservation here.

This program has been made possible thanks to the generosity of the Danish Arts Foundation.