ICA is closed from the 30 May – 3 June inclusive.
Drylongso, dir. Cauleen Smith, USA 1998, 86 min., English
Pica Sullivan is a young art student who lives with her mother and grandmother in Oakland. She works a nighttime job papering walls, which puts her safety at risk. As an outlet for her dysfunctional home life, she photographs young African American men because of a belief they are endangered and being driven out of existence.
Her night job affects her attendance in photography class, which she is also struggling with because she uses a Polaroid for her photos and not the requisite 35 mm camera. One night, Pica meets Tobi, a young woman who is left beaten on a street curb by her abusive boyfriend.
Pica learns Tobi disguises herself as a man to protect herself from violence. Pica and Tobi bond over their shared fears for their safety. Pica also becomes enmeshed in news reports of the "Westside Slasher", a serial killer who is claiming victims in the neighborhood, with some of the young men she has photographed being amongst the victims.
The screening on 11 May will be introduced by Rabz Lansiquot.
Her night job affects her attendance in photography class, which she is also struggling with because she uses a Polaroid for her photos and not the requisite 35 mm camera. One night, Pica meets Tobi, a young woman who is left beaten on a street curb by her abusive boyfriend.
Pica learns Tobi disguises herself as a man to protect herself from violence. Pica and Tobi bond over their shared fears for their safety. Pica also becomes enmeshed in news reports of the "Westside Slasher", a serial killer who is claiming victims in the neighborhood, with some of the young men she has photographed being amongst the victims.
The screening on 11 May will be introduced by Rabz Lansiquot.
Screening as part of SNAPSHOT - a season of films celebrating Black girls coming of age on their own terms. Presented by T A P E with the support of the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery.
Rabz Lansiquot is a filmmaker, programmer, curator, and DJ who is one half of the artistic and curatorial duo Languid Hands.
Cauleen Smith is an American born filmmaker and multimedia artist. She is best known for her feature film DRYLONGSO and her experimental works that address the African-American identity, specifically the issues facing black women today. Smith is currently a professor in the Department of Art at the University of California.
Smith was accepted into M.F.A. program at UCLA in 1994. In her second year of the program, Smith decided to shoot a feature-length film titled DRYLONGSO. However, it was against UCLA's rules for film students to shoot feature-length films, "and for good reason, you don’t know what you are doing!" as Smith has said. She was, after some struggles, able to complete the film, and it got a significant amount of attention at the Sundance Film Festival.
Rabz Lansiquot is a filmmaker, programmer, curator, and DJ who is one half of the artistic and curatorial duo Languid Hands.
Cauleen Smith is an American born filmmaker and multimedia artist. She is best known for her feature film DRYLONGSO and her experimental works that address the African-American identity, specifically the issues facing black women today. Smith is currently a professor in the Department of Art at the University of California.
Smith was accepted into M.F.A. program at UCLA in 1994. In her second year of the program, Smith decided to shoot a feature-length film titled DRYLONGSO. However, it was against UCLA's rules for film students to shoot feature-length films, "and for good reason, you don’t know what you are doing!" as Smith has said. She was, after some struggles, able to complete the film, and it got a significant amount of attention at the Sundance Film Festival.
06:30 pm
Sat, 11 May 2024
Cinema 1
04:30 pm
Tue, 14 May 2024
Cinema 1
02:10 pm
Sun, 19 May 2024
Cinema 1
04:10 pm
Wed, 22 May 2024
Cinema 2
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Access information
Cinema 1
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- We have 1 wheelchair allocated space with a seat for a companion
- All seats are hard back, have a crushed velvet feel and they do not recline
- These are our seat size dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 52
- Arm rest either side of the seat dimensions: L 27 x W 7 x H 20
for the following requirements:
- We have unassigned seating. If you require a specific seat, please reserve this in advance
- Free for visitors where ticket prices are a barrier, please email
Cinema 2
- Both our Cinemas have step free access from The Mall and are accessible by ramp
- All seats are hard back, have a crushed velvet feel and they do not recline
- These are our seat size dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 52
- Arm rest either side of the seat dimensions: L 27 x W 7 x H 20
for the following requirements:
- We have a removable seat to create a wheelchair allocated space, please contact to organise this prior to the date and time of the screening
- We have unassigned seating. If you require a specific seat, please reserve this in advance
- Free for visitors where ticket prices are a barrier, please email
All films are ad-free and 18+ unless otherwise stated, and start with a 10 min. curated selection of trailers.
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no. 236848.