The 24-year-old gay filmmaker who stood up to Putin
When Romas Zabarauskas’ debut feature We Will Riot was selected by the Moscow International Film Festival in 2013, he knew immediately what to wear on opening night: a “Free Pussy Riot” t-shirt.
Russia’s anti-gay legislation has been well publicised, but in Romas’ native Lithuania the government adopted a similar Protection of Minors law in 2010 with little outside media attention. His invitation to Moscow was the perfect opportunity to speak out against Putin’s agenda and help generate discussion around his film, which explores identity and LGBT issues in Lithuania.
“We Will Riot was an attempt to make something between politics and entertainment, and between different identities: black, gay, electronic music, Lithuanian,” Romas explains.
The 23-year-old openly gay filmmaker from Vilnius has been involved in fighting Lithuania’s increasingly homophobic political climate since 2009 and founded LGBT Friendly Vilnius in 2012. Cinema is just one of the weapons in his activists’ arsenal. Porno Melodrama in 2011 was a direct response to state homophobia and he has gone to Kickstarter to fund his next film You Can’t Escape Lithuania.
You Can’t Escape Lithuania is a fictional version of the filmmaker’s life, a queer art film inspired by Fassbinder, Douglas Sirk and Dostoyevsky, that he describes as “personal, and more unhinged” than his debut. Expect more provocative filmmaking that will ruffle feathers and show that Lithuania’s LGBT community refuse to be silenced.
Support You Can’t Escape Lithuania on Kickstarter and check out We Will Riot, available on VOD now.
You might like
The UK government is considering a smart glasses ban
Perv specs — It comes as concerns have been raised over their ability to film video covertly, with a number of women discovering videos of themselves circulating online that were allegedly filmed with the technology.
London Surf / Film Festival returns this weekend
Share the stoke — Its 15th edition will take place from November 5-7 at Hammersmith’s Riverside Studios, with films from South Africa, Canada, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, USA, Sri Lanka, Ireland, France, UK and beyond.
The people fighting back against an AI future
Cruising on the West Side Piers, New York’s wild side
West Side Highway — In the late 20th century, the area was an if-you-know-you-know hotspot for the city’s gay scene. William Howell’s new photobook immortalises it.
Ahilya Bamroo is Gen Z India’s authentic ambassador
Reel relatable — The influencer turned actor speaks about trolls, beauty standards and youth activism.
Signs of solidarity as London marks three years of genocide in Palestine
Never forget — 250,000 people gathered on Saturday as Israeli attacks have continued in Gaza and the West Bank. Daisy Schofield photographed the diverse people and placards in attendance.
