Thematic program “Personal Perspectives”  

Penny Siopis is a South African artist who combines painting in her work, installation and video art. In these short films, she combines personal and historical perspectives, giving a brief glimpse into different human stories and traumas caused by political events. In a painting-like collage Siopis originally layers found footage from antique markets, as well as moments captured by family members, text and music. The latter becomes an important element in her films. They are like visual poems that give voices to the silenced, allowing us to experience collective memory – on the one hand alien, but at the same time very close and understandable.

The programme was put together by film scholars dr. Renata Šukaitytė and dr. Zanė Balčus, with the aim to present a vivid trend in contemporary documentary film to communicate with the audience about complex issues of social and political life in a personally sensitive, aesthetically effective and intellectually provoking manner. 

MY LOVELY DAY

Director: Penny Siopis
South Africa, 1997, 21 min.

OBSCURE WHITE MESSENGER

Director: Penny Siopis
South Africa, 2010, 15 min.

THE MASTER IS DROWNING

Director: Penny Siopis
South Africa, 2012, 10 min.

THE NEW PARTHEON

Director: Penny Siopis
South Africa, 2016, 15 min.

SHE BREATHES WATER

Director: Penny Siopis
South Africa, 2019, 5 min.

SHADOW SHAME AGAIN

Director: Penny Siopis
South Africa, 2021, 6 min.

CELLULOID BODY

Director: Penny Siopis
South Africa, 2021, 6 min.