As a queer journalist sometimes you kick yourself when quite by chance you discover something truly wonderful that you really should have known about and celebrated before.  In this case it’s not a ‘thing but a person.

Leo Adef is an Argentinean filmmaker and photographer based in Barcelona.  On a visit to Berlin to collaborate on a campaign, he came across a group of queer people of color who are part of the heart of Berlin’s ballroom scene that totally captured his imagination.  When they opened up to him sharing their stories and experiences, Adef was inspired to make his 9-minute documentary Safe.

For us it was an eye-opener that a queer ballroom scene even existed in Germany. Adef’s film is not only visually stunning and incredibly beautiful to look at, it is a very candid exploration of gender, identity, self-love, and beauty.

The title Safe represents the fact that because as a gay POC you don’t find safe places everywhere, so here this tight-knit bunch of talented dancers have made their own. 

 

PS Once you check out Leo Adef’s website you’ll find some more wonderful examples of his work. Here’s a new favorite of ours: its  of Mykki Blanco the American rapper, performance artist, poet, and activist in an advert for Desigual