it’s time for us all to be much, much braver.
The local cancellation of an Oscar-winning Palestinian film sends a chilling message.
Queering the Burbs is a distillation of pop culture, politics and queerness published twice weekly by Joe Erbentraut. If you like what you see, please consider subscribing (many posts are free!), liking or sharing this piece, or buying Joe a coffee. Order Joe’s zine, Issue #01, here.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means when someone calls an issue too “complicated” or “complex” for them to take a clear stand.
On one hand, yes, there are many complicated topics I would be unqualified to discuss at any significant length. I don’t know anything about astrophysics, for example (though that didn’t stop Katy Perry). I don’t understand what is really happening under the hood of a car, for another.
But when it comes to issues of humanity, of neighborhoods being leveled and community water wells being filled with concrete, it becomes harder for me to accept individuals, yes, but especially cultural institutions who “it’s complicated” themselves out of political discussions the minute even the faintest of opposition rears its head.
It is an immense privilege to sit on the fence and ultimately it’s a cop-out, particularly in times of crisis. When you’re of a lived experience that is rarely politicized, it is easy to say that you’re “not political” or don’t like “talking politics.” And when you’re living a comfortable, suburban life removed from strife, it is easy to wrap your All Lives Matter-esque nonchalance up in a blanket of “community care.”
This preamble was prompted by what I consider to be a pretty indefensible decision on the part of the Aurora, Illinois-based Fox Valley Music Foundation (The Venue) to abruptly cancel four upcoming planned screenings of No Other Land. The Oscar-winning documentary depicts the struggle of Palestinians enduring constant attacks by Israeli soldiers targeting their villages in Masafer Yatta in the West Bank.
The documentary was to be co-presented by the Aurora Film Society and the Palestinian Activism Collective during two pairs of screenings at The Venue on April 23 and May 14. Instead, the AFS and FVMF released a co-authored statement on Saturday announcing that the screenings had been canceled.
The statement noted that it “was not an easy decision” to cancel the screenings, but that “the FVMF board concluded that moving forward with the screenings at this time would not support the kind of environment we strive to maintain at The Venue—one rooted in mutual respect, thoughtful engagement, and community connection.”
“We also understand and deeply respect that our community holds a wide range of perspectives on this issue,” the statement continued. “Our intent is not to silence voices, but to make thoughtful choices that reflect empathy for the many lived experiences and emotions that exist within our collective community.”
The PAC saw the situation differently, putting out its own statement calling the decision “racist and cowardly” and an “insult” to the events’ organizers at PAC and AFS.
As the PAC statement describes it, the screenings’ cancellation was the result of emails the FVMF received from pro-Israel individuals expressing concerns about the events. The PAC and AFS are planning to find an alternative venue to screen the film at a later date.
“This cowardly cancellation is censorship writ large in a time when free speech is eroding every day,” the statement continued. “We will present No Other Land in Aurora and any other locality in the western suburbs that will host it. This important story deserves to be told. We will not be bullied into submission. The truth will set us all free.”
The Venue’s decision to cancel the screening caught me blindsided. This is a venue I have supported repeatedly in the past (like the Amy Winehouse tribute show pictured above) and have even promoted its events in this space. Just last month, it hosted a fundraiser concert for Transgender Day of Visibility. On its own website, The Venue describes itself as “a cherished hub for creative expression and artistic collaboration, fostering a rich tapestry of musical diversity reflective of the Aurora community’s vibrant multicultural heritage”—but I suppose now it prefers to only stand for creative expression so long as it doesn’t ruffle too many feathers.
As disappointing as The Venue’s about-face on No Other Land is, perhaps it is educational as a vivid demonstration of what effective community allyship doesn’t look like. In this decision, The Venue chose not to center the marginalized community at the heart of the matter. With the finality of its statement, it also has not demonstrated an openness to feedback from impacted individuals, and is not owning how its own biases and prejudices are factoring into its actions. Finally, this action is obviously not an example of using resources and privilege for the good of marginalized individuals.
Instead, decisions like this communicate to those who go so far in refusing to condemn what is happening in Gaza as genocidal violence that they shut down a film screening that their theatrics are justified, that they have won. It’s a demonstration that mealy-mouthed, center-left “pragmatic” Democratic politics will get us nowhere in our current reality. And it’s an unacceptable action by a city-backed cultural entity that paints itself as some kind of progressive, peace-loving organization.
It is my hope that the FVMF will apologize for the harm it’s done here, and that No Other Land gets another local screening on the calendar soon. In the meantime, the film is now available to rent to watch at home for a limited time window through May 8. The film costs $13.99 to rent and proceeds from the rentals will benefit those living in Masafer Yatta. The film’s website also contains information on scheduled screenings near you as well as information on how to host your own screening.
I watched No Other Land this afternoon before I sat down to write this essay and it’s truly difficult for me to write respectfully about the individuals in the Fox Valley who are actively lobbying against their neighbors being able to watch it. To attempt to conceal the very real horrors the people of Masafer Yatta have endured and are still enduring is beyond cruel. I hope you’ll watch the film. It deserves to be seen.
At this time in the history of our nation and world, we just can’t accept actions like this. Within our realms of influence, we can’t shy away from the hard conversations and decisions, especially when they are the decisions needed to remain on the side of the marginalized. We can’t stay neutral and try to please everyone any longer. We must call shit (like this film’s cancellation) out when it happens. Take up space. Do not comply in advance.
These are the days of taking a stand—hopefully one future generations would be proud of. Anything else is a waste of time.
P.S. If you are looking to take more action against local fascists this week, I urge you to support Aurora-based Yellow Bird Books. The cozy, woman-owned independent bookstore in downtown Aurora recently became another target of the same lone anti-trans protester who has been targeting other pro-LGBTQ+ area businesses in recent months, using 911 calls and conversations with business owners and community members for content on his YouTube channel. These videos often result in a deluge of hateful comments and phone calls targeting featured businesses.
Please consider writing positive Google reviews of Yellow Bird Books, following them on social media, leaving positive comments, or, most importantly, shopping there. You can even pick up a copy of my zine there, if you are so inclined.
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SONG OF THE RIGHT-NOW
I’m not usually the biggest of fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race music but I have to make a huge exception for former Drag Race France competitor La Grande Dame, who somehow wormed her way into my Spotify algorithm.
This song, “Parfum Orange,” is perfectly vibey and a little trashy in the way that only French pop can be. Anything sung in French sounds so beautiful, but when you translate these particular lyrics, they are brutally scornful of an ex best forgotten—I love that type of deeply confusing duality. As an added bonus, the music video is really making me think about the parts of summer I like—at least before it gets too hot to do much of anything outside. Anyway, do yourself a favor and give it a whirl.
Comme le fantôme d'un gars que l'on ne connaît pas
Tu sais comme je suis bon pour recréer c'qui n'existe pas
Extremely frustrating. What's to be afraid of, unless we've lost our confidence in people's ability to process difficult issues. And even if we have, we can't use that as a justification to keep things (books, movies, art, music, other people) away from folks in a free society. It can be exhausting, but the responsibility (read "ability to respond") is to broaden the conversation with more conversation.
I'm offended that others assume I can't watch a film and then put it into perspective: my own.
I agree, too, that this particular moment in history is a really important time to not just say, "eh, that's too complicated to discuss" or to avoid any political action or discussion. To capitulate on these human rights issues is to move us even faster on that slippery slope to authoritarianism.