Stand Up, Stand Out

When people take to the streets to protest discriminatory and oppressive systems, they often use their bodies to make a statement. To stand up for themselves. This goes beyond just bodies on the streets at protests. The way these people choose to style themselves often drives their cause even further. It often helps them become etched in our memories. While not always immediately obvious or always the focus of our attention when we speak about activism and protests, fashion and styling have a big part to play. This film uses fashion film and documentary elements to pay homage to looks that have fought for change, been the target of discrimination and have helped give us the freedoms we know today. The film explores the style of: - Working Class Movements: yellow vest movement & casual T-shirts and jeans looks - The Civil Rights Movement: styles associated with protests led by Dr Martin Luther King & the style of the Black Panthers - Hair Discrimination leading to the implementation of the Halo Code - Women Empowerment Movements: particularly the symbolism of mini skirts, the Riot Grrrl aesthetic and masculine silhouettes - Youth Counter Culture Movements: the ‘hippie’ anti-war movement of the 60s and the Nigerian alté aesthetic and its links to the End SARS movement Official Selection - Get Seen Film Festival 2024 I spoke to Hoezine about my inspirations for the project: https://www.hoezine.com/stand-up-stand-out-talking-fashion-and-filmmaking-with-director-ronita-awoonor-gordon