Partners in life and art: the films of Camille Billops and James Hatch come to Showroom Cinema

"Partners in life, art, and activism", Camille Billops and James Hatch were pioneering filmmakers with backgrounds in theatre and sculpture. Across decades, they worked together to create a unique collection of short films that blurred the lines between visual art, film, and their personal lives.

This August, Showroom is taking part in the first-ever worldwide retrospective of these extraordinary artists, offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see these films in a theatrical setting (having previously only been seen at festivals). The films have been restored and specially curated into two parts that will screen all week from 18 August, allowing audiences to get to know this fascinating creative couple.

Part One of the retrospective brings together their 'Family Trilogy', films consisting of intimate cross-generational conversations exploring how family, or the lack of it, has shaped their lives. The first film, Suzanne, Suzanne (1982), is a seminal work focusing on Billops' niece Suzanne Browning, as she discusses the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her father and the effect this had on her path to substance abuse.

Finding Christa (1991) is another highly-personal piece of work. Billops documents giving her daughter up for adoption through conversations with her now adult daughter Christa and their extended family networks. In A String of Pearls (2002), the focus turns to the men of the family and their experiences of urban violence, unemployment, and the absence of fathers in their lives.

Part Two of the series uses more playful methods of examining further serious subjects, including racism and ageism. Opening with Older Women and Love (1987) a taboo-shattering film that offers a touching and often humorous look at social attitudes toward relationships between older women and younger men.

The KKK Boutique Ain't Just Rednecks (1994) is an unconventional essay film that tackles questions relating to interracial marriage through performance, cabaret and interviews, surveying the lived experiences of racial discrimination.And finally, in Take Your Bags (1998), Billops conducts an intimate conversation with her innocent and charming young nephew about the legacy of slavery.

Those who love art, documentary, and fighting for social change should not miss this rare opportunity to see these inspiring and thought-provoking films on the big screen.

Tickets for The Films of Camille Billops and James Hatch are on sale now.

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