The Art of Oppression

Directed by Patricia Francis

2022

A new documentary arrives in 2022 from Patricia Francis who tackles important issues of identity, race and social barriers in a film which uses art as a means of important expression for female voices with their concerns being truly heard.

With Brexit and Covid occurring at the time of the film’s creation, the director follows three female artists who are given just weeks to create works of art that reflect their varied experiences.

Each woman’s life is explained in a series of personal voiceovers as they speak from the heart about their frustrations from their first memories of their identity as a child, to the modern day.

As women living in Britain today, the trio not only discuss the barriers of being female but the film touches upon many other characteristics that hold them back – from race, religion, nationality, fat shaming and other intersectional subjugation.

From racism in Birmingham to childhood traumas in war-torn Croatia, the feelings of oppression are told in clear and emotional stories and show how, sadly, universal these issues are as they go across cultural and global boundaries.

Not feeling entirely part of the British or Jamaican community, we are told about the difficulties of finding one’s character when you are aware of not being fully integrated into either.

The documentary has many experimental elements and its style works extremely well. Artistic choices visually mirror the film’s themes with voices, editing and sound mixing well in a very creative way.

The way the screen ratio shifts throughout and the use of split (and triple) screens imply multiple viewpoints and identities. And footage that is placed in smaller visual boxes represent the nature of being “trapped” in society’s secluded spaces.

For the majority of the film the women’s voices take centre stage and their faces are never shown until about halfway through. Again, an excellent artistic choice from the director as they move from an erased position to a more visible voice representing their true self.

Despite all the challenges that are sensitively yet powerfully portrayed, the documentary exposes strength in the face of these adversities. And although there are far too many frustrations experienced, the women choose positive paths – not being angry, “you can’t live like that” and engaging in a healing process to not be a “miserable bugger” demonstrated their resilience aptly.

As a nominee at the 2022 Midlands Movies Awards The Art of Oppression is rightly a significant achievement and also an important one. The filmmaking technique is as strong as the messages it delivers and with that combination, it comes together to form the film’s own identity. One that is illuminating, challenging and ultimately a satisfying and vital work of art in itself.

★★★★

Michael Sales