Lets celebrate the Black History Month
The Massimadi Festival, special edition, celebrates Black History Month with the theme of Transcendence. From February 15 to 18, 2024, the McCord Museum will host a selection of films, including two feature films and two short films, exploring the realities of LGBTQ+ black communities. These screenings will provide a look beyond conventional boundaries, unfolding narratives that enrich our perspective.
The opening film, "Disruptor Conductor" (2019), offers a captivating glimpse into the life of Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, a black and gay classical music conductor. Follow his passionate commitment to the LGBTQ+ community during the creation of "Thorgy and the Thorchestra" in 2019, an acclaimed tour in North America. This unique documentary highlights his distinctive identities and inspiring role in the musical world, illustrating the ability of music to transcend social barriers and unite diverse audiences.
Additionally, compelling works like "Who I am Not" (2023), a documentary directed by Tunde Skovran, poignantly explores what it means to be an intersex person in a binary world. It is Skovran's first film, offering an authentic and powerful perspective on this unique experience.
"All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White" (2023) by Babatunde Apalolo, explores the challenges of LGBTQ+ relationships in a society where homosexuality remains taboo. Finally, "RAIZES" (2023) by Céline RUFFIN-BAYARDIN, a 35-minute short film, immerses us in the world of the lesbian-trans-activist batucada Raízes Arrechas during the feminist night march in Paris. These works offer genuine and compelling perspectives on resilience and community mobilization.
Each screening will be followed by Q&A sessions, creating a space for dialogue between the audience and artists, establishing a direct connection. The opening film, "Disruptor Conductor" (2019), will be followed by a discussion circle offering privileged access to the artist.
On February 17, 2024, in collaboration with the Obiora Ensemble, Afro-Canadian maestro Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser will lead a classical music concert. The film "Disruptor Conductor" by Iron Bay Films (2019) will be screened at the McCord Museum on Friday, February 16, the eve of the concert. An in-depth conversation with the artist during his stay in Montreal will shed light on his extraordinary journey.
This is a rare opportunity for the Montreal audience to witness the debut performance of this Afro-Canadian artist and conductor. Join us for a transcendent experience, celebrating the diversity and resilience of LGBTQ+ black communities.
Word from our President
For the 2024 edition of Black History Month, the Massimadi Foundation presents a series of screenings of Afro-queer films from February 15 to 18 at the McCord Museum, exploring the theme of Transcendence.
This theme invites the public and our communities to reflect on the social identities that confine us within a certain fixed and incomplete idea of ourselves and on the need to go beyond cultural, gender, and sexual orientation identities to better come together and reconnect with what unites us and the entirety of our being. Thus, the programming we offer this February encourages surpassing the social codes established to better understand ourselves and celebrate our humanity that transcends our labels.
To echo our theme, we will welcome conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the main subject of the documentary "Disruptor/Conductor." This documentary illustrates how music allows us to transcend social classes and bring together a diversity of people. We will also present the documentary "Who Am I Not," which addresses the complexity of the concept of gender beyond the binary of male/female. "RAIZES" highlights how music extends beyond the artistic realm to become a political language. Finally, "All Colours in the World Are Between Black and White" addresses the need to transcend the taboos of our environment to know love.
In this February, let us transcend our political, cultural, and social differences and commemorate together the history and cultures of Black LGBTQ+ Afro communities with the Massimadi Foundation.
Laurent Maurice Lafontant
President of the Massimadi Foundation
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