In conversation with Lia Hietala and Neil Triffett
The Kinds are alright: When it comes to questioning existing concepts of gender, sexuality and humanity at an early age, Berlinale Generation is always a cinematic shoulder to lean on: Filmmakers Neil Triffett, director “EMO THE MUSICAL” and Lia Hietala, director “MY GAY SISTER” (MIN HOMOSYSTER) both presented films about queer youth this year and provided cinematic alternatives to heteronormativity. Be it the Emo, the gay Highschool boy, the bi-curious child or her lesbian sister- both films showed their young audiences that boxes and categories are something to leave behind.
Biography Lia Hietala
Born in 1993, she lives and works in Stockholm, Sweden. She worked as an assistant director before making her directorial debut with If I Say No, a short film which was selected to screen at the Tromsø International Film Festival. In 2016 she received a scholarship from the Nordnorsk Filmsenter to develop her second short. She is currently working on her third short film and is also developing a feature film.
Find more information about the film “MY GAY SISTER”
Biography Neil Triffett
Born in Tasmania, Australia in 1988, he graduated with distinction from the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne. Since then he has worked in documentary and corporate film production as well as for arts organisations and theatre productions. He has also been making his own short films. His short film Emo (the Musical), on which his debut feature film is based, screened in the Berlinale Generation section in 2014.
Find more information about the film “EMO HE MUSICAL”
This years Diversity talks were supported by L´Oréal Paris @ the 67th Berlin International Film Festival. Thanks a lot to the wonderful team of the BRLO Brwhouse for hosting us.