Drylongso (4K Restoration) (15)

Dir. Cauleen Smith | 1998 | 85 mins | English

A rediscovered treasure of 1990s DIY filmmaking, Cauleen Smith’s Drylongso embeds an incisive look at racial injustice within a lovingly handmade buddy movie/murder mystery/romance. 

Pica Sullivan is a young art student who lives with her mother and grandmother in Oakland. She works a nighttime job papering walls, which puts her safety at risk. As an outlet for her dysfunctional home life, she photographs young African American men with the belief they are an "endangered species" who may one day become extinct. 

Her night job affects her attendance in photography class, which she is also struggling with because she uses a Polaroid for her photos and not the requisite 35 mm camera. One night, Pica meets Tobi, a young woman who is left beaten on a street curb by her abusive boyfriend. 

Pica learns Tobi disguises herself as a man to protect herself from violence. Pica and Tobi bond over their shared fears for their safety. Pica also becomes enmeshed in news reports of the "Westside Slasher", a serial killer who is claiming victims in the neighborhood, with some of the young men she has photographed being amongst the victims.

Screening as part of SNAPSHOT - a season of films celebrating Black girls coming of age on their own terms. Presented by T A P E with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery. 

Wednesday 12th June, 8.00pm

Tickets: £8.00/£6.50/£6.00

A £1 Poly Fund payment is added to each ticket sold.