Young activists in Oxford wage a trans-positive graffiti war after discovering TERF stickers dotted around the city.
This documentary lets us into the lives of people wanting to feel safe and accepted where they live. From stickers and graffiti to embroidery, we see people let their creativity run wild to show the world that their voice is worth being heard. This short was heart breaking to see, learning how not everyone is caring and loving.
Director Quinton Baker follows Luca Hirst around Oxford as we discover that hate and awfulness is displayed in everyday places without consequence. It’s a powerful documentary, making us see how things we walk past everyday can be so harmful for others if they see it. Sometimes the most powerful films like this don’t look at crazy events that have happened, normally it’s the everyday moments that we can all relate to. We all take the bus and walk down streets, so to see those plastered with hate is something we can begin to understand and and take notes from it to learn what’s happening in our local area and keep the conversations and activism going.
With cinematography from Kerris Cotterell and editing by Conor Smyth, this short felt homely and welcoming, letting us into this important story without overwhelming us with crazy graphics and wild music. We focus on what Luca is saying which is the most important thing. We have BLM, we have LGBT History Month, but people still ask what they can do to help and one of the main answers is just to listen. Listen to the people affected, listen to those who know what’s happening. If you want to learn about trans people and how you can by an ally, listen to trans people. This documentary perfectly lets us hear from Luca and see how we can help rather than keep hindering.