On the occasion of ‘Destiny Is a Rose: The Eileen Harris Norton Collection,’ join us for a double feature of two films by renowned British filmmaker and artist Isaac Julien. Featuring ‘Looking for Langston’ (1989), which reflects on the life and legacy of poet and activist Langston Hughes, and ‘Derek’ (2008), which looks back at the life and work of pioneering experimental filmmaker and artist Derek Jarman.
Combining archival newsreel footage and photographs of 1920s Harlem with original scripted scenes, ‘Looking for Langston’ is a black-and-white, fantasy-like retelling of the private world of poet and activist Langston Hughes and the Black artists and writers of the Harlem Renaissance. It reimagines the speakeasies of the period as safe havens for Black queer men, where they could dance, drink, and express themselves freely. The film also features voiceover narration by poet and activist Essex Hemphill and novelist Toni Morrison.
Narrated by Jarman’s frequent collaborator, actress Tilda Swinton, Julien’s ‘Derek’ is a tribute to one of Britain’s most important independent filmmakers, whose films reimagined narrative and played a key role in shaping contemporary queer cinema. The film was featured in ‘Derek Jarman: Brutal Beauty,’ an exhibition on Jarman curated by Isaac Julien for Serpentine Gallery in 2008. The exhibition also featured original works by Julien on Jarman, including ‘Derek: Still Life Study Series, No. 5 (Maquette),’ which is currently on view in ‘Destiny Is a Rose: The Eileen Harris Norton Collection.’
These films were selected by Camm Harrison, founder of Black Revivalist, a screening series project which showcases an array of underrated and overlooked gems within Black cinema, in collaboration with Ingrid Schaffner, Curatorial Senior Director at Hauser & Wirth.
Looking for Langston (45 minutes)
Brief Intermission (15 mins)
Derek (76 minutes)
Arrive early to join the Fresh Takes tour of ‘Destiny Is a Rose,’ led by Art Division’s next-generation creatives from 1 – 1.45 pm.
The program is free to attend, however, reservations are recommended.
