Mengi is delighted to announce the screening of the film ‘Soft Rebellion in Paradise’ by Chloë Brown (UK), 2019.

‘A Soft Rebellion in Paradise’ focuses on the voices of women that are too often silenced and lost in the retelling of histories around the world. Following in the wake of the ‘Me Too’ movement, the film questions the systematic contemporary and historical silencing of woman’s voices.

Over 200 women, and those who identify as female, participated in creating the film, performing a series of ‘Soft Rebellions’, a term used by Brown to describe her on-going exploration of artistic actions. Previous ‘Soft Rebellions’ have included working with participants who dance, eat, meet and applaud in places where it is unusual, or even forbidden, to do so. At the heart of the film is the poem, Soft Rebellions in Paradise Squared by poet, Geraldine Monk. This part chant, part song and part incantation sits alongside a goose bump-inducing silence and an ear-splitting yell by the crowd. It is a call to action by ‘The Unquiets’ (the women in the crowd) who urgently chant as Monk performs from a balcony where, in the past, political and religious leaders once addressed the all-male masses who gathered in a town Square called Paradise. Alongside this, a group of four women perform a discordant ‘song’ that references both historian Mary Beard’s lecture, ‘Women & Power’ and author Henry James’ criticism of the female voice, which he described as ‘a mumble or jumble, a tongue-less slobber’.

To accompany these ‘Soft Rebellions’, Belfast-based musician and performer, DIE HEXEN, (or The Witches) has composed an evocative soundscape that builds to an intense and powerful crescendo.

‘A Soft Rebellion in Paradise’ offers a unique perspective on subversion, exploring themes of resistance, identity, and the pursuit of freedom.

The film was created with an all-female crew, production team and cast, and was commissioned by Arts Council England. Filmed on location in Paradise Square, Sheffield, UK.

This film is screened in Reykjavík to coincide with the anniversary of the Women’s Strike or ‘kvennafrí’ (women’s day off), which took place on October 24th 1975. 90% of Icelandic women refused to work on this day, leading to pivotal change in Iceland, including the world’s first female elected president of a country.

‘A Soft Rebellion in Paradise’ takes place on Saturday October 26th 2024

From 1pm - 6pm: Film screening on to the public (free drop-in event)

Duration of film: 9mins 24 seconds looped

Contact

Mengi: booking@mengi.net

Or

Chloë Brown: cbchloebrown@gmail.com