Every cinema lover knows that the best conversations take place in the foyer!

Foyer Conversations, a new podcast series from Cinema of Commoning, aims to capture the spirit of those probing, freewheeling and inspiring discussions we have immediately before and after a film screening.

The word ‘transnational’ represents what flows across national borders. Oftentimes, cultural activists become smugglers of shared experiences and solidarity around the globe. When bodies and physical items are unable to move from one nation to another, ideas and information can flow in their place. A social cinema can host transnational exchanges to reveal the importance of relating to others beyond the borders of one’s home. 

In our fourth episode, Foyer Conversations: Transnational Solidarity, we have gathered together curators and collectives who are seeking to explore transnational solidarity in their work. This conversation offers an insight into their practices and touches upon the ways in which cinemas and programs of artistic exchange can serve as a tool for building solidarity between different global political movements.

For this conversation we are joined by Nataša Prljević from HEKLER, independent curator and writer Nasrin Hamada, and Svetla Turnin and Ezra Winton from Cinema Politica.

Nataša Prljević is an artist, cultural worker and organizer committed to social inquiry, ecologies of conflict and transnational feminist solidarities. Using collage and assemblage principles, Prljević focuses on a transformative potential of polyvocality that arises through a range of modalities, media, and community. She writes, makes collages, videos, installations, and facilitates social and educational environments. In 2018, together with Joshua Nierodzinski and Jelena Prljević she initiated HEKLER, a transnational collaborative platform and community that fosters critical and experimental examination of hospitality and conflict. Nataša currently lives and works between Mexico City (Mexico) and Užice (Serbia) where she is from.

Nasrin Himada is a Palestinian curator and writer. Their practice is heavily influenced by their long-term friendships and by their many on-going collaborations with artists, filmmakers and poets. Nasrin’s recent project, For Many Returns, experiments with writing as an act dictated by love, and typifies their current curatorial interests, which foreground desire, transformation, and liberation through many forms. Nasrin currently holds the position of Associate Curator at Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University in Kingston.

Cinema Politica is non-profit media arts organization dedicated to supporting the work of independent, political filmmakers in Canada and beyond. The organization is made up of an alternative exhibition network, dedicated distribution arm, and a Video On Demand platform for cutting edge, socially engaged cinema.Cinema Politica is funded through arts council grants, membership fees, distribution revenues and audience donations, and has been free of corporate sponsorship since their inception in 2003.

Episode Four is now available to listen and download worldwide on Spotify, Deezer, Apple Podcasts and Podcast Index.

Foyer Conversations is a podcast series from Cinema of Commoning.
Episode Four was initiated by Abisola Oni.
It was presented and produced by Eirini Fountedaki, Abisola Oni and Rachel Pronger.

Artwork/photography credits:
Nasrin Hamada Headshot. Photo credit: Clea Christakos.
Nataša Prljević Headshot. Photo credit: Joshua Nierodzinski.