Faraz Arif Ansari’s “Sisak” to screen at The Seven

Faraz Arif Ansari’s “Sisak” will screen at the first annual Seven event. The event takes place on Thursday, January 24 at North Dakota State University’s Century Theatre at Memorial Union.

A first-of-its-kind silent LGBTQ film in India, “Sisak” makes waves before the visuals of this short hit the shore. Set in the fast-paced environs of the usually bustling Mumbai local train system, it details a romance that develops slowly and intoxicatingly, nestled in the silences and quiet comforts of the end-of-day train journeys.

Besides what is seen on screen, there is a great sociopolitical underpinning to Sisak’s content. Knowing that romantic relationships beyond the purview of heteronormativity are not legal (nor decriminalized, as was once the case following the Delhi High Court judgement), the cinema reflects the ethos of most film projects worldwide which show an individual journey of coming to terms with and expressing one’s sexuality.

Following the screening of “Sisak”, Director Faraz Arif Ansari will join the conversation from Mumbi, India, and speak to the importance of creating socially and polically aware cinema.

The Seven is an interactive human rights experience. This event is the first of many independently organized events aimed at empowering individuals to discuss and learn about what it means to organize, advocate for and influence positive change in their community.

The event includes interdisciplinary conversations, performances, short film selections from the North Dakota Human Rights Film Festival, and research that include a call to action. The Seven aims to advance a condition where participants can recognize the change they can make in their world.

Each of the speakers or performers are asked to address one of seven categories through the lens of Human Rights: Context, Preparation, Motivation, Obstacles, Outreach, Focus or Philosophy. These seven tenants help shape a better understanding of the human condition and relationships. The following list of speakers/performers will be participating in the first annual Seven event: 

• Dr. Sarah Rose Edwards: Psychologist 
• Ibtissem Belmihoub and Spencer Abbe: Graduate student Researchers
• Faraz Ansari: Filmmaker in India
• Fred Edwards: Undergrad Student Researcher
• Haylee Thompson: Dance Performance
• Marc Devine: Theater Performance 
• Maren Day Woods: Women’s March
• Ntwali Cyusa: Universal Language

The event is hosted by The Human Family and the Memorial Union Gallery. The event is free and will take place on January 24th at 6:30pm at The Century Theater located on the second floor of the Memorial Union at NDSU.  Click here to reserve your seat in advance.

For more information about The Seven, visit www.human-family.org.

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