This screening has been cancelled and tickets will be refunded. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
Perspective Film Series Presents:
Ballast
Join Contemporary Calgary in collaboration with Pink Flamingo, May 20 at 7:00pm, for the seventh presentation of our ten-part Perspective Film Series—Ballast (2008) will be screened in the Dome Theatre.
This month’s Perspective focuses on the intricate levels of grief that families endure when they lose a loved one to a battle of mental health. Set in the depressing, damp Mississippi Delta, one man’s suicide leaves his twin brother Lawrence (Micheal J. Smith Sr.), his wife Marlee (Tarra Riggs) and his son James (JimMyron Ross) to cope with the staggering loss. This ambient drama shows the rhythmic chaos of grief, poverty, and loneliness.
Make it a date night—bring a friend and enjoy a variety of drinks and snacks from our concession bar. After the film, we invite YOUR perspective on the larger themes of grief, brotherhood and loneliness. Stay and socialize with fellow attendees for a short post-film discussion and survey.
Ballast (2008): Synopsis
The trials of survival and loneliness within a series of unprecedented circumstances of grief connect these films. From the desolate Mississippi Delta, to the frozen shores of Lake Superior, the human will to survive and protect are challenged in moments of scarcity, fear, violence, and compassion.
Genre: Drama
Producer: Nina Parikh,Lance Hammer
Writer: Lance Hammer
Runtime: 1h 36m
Production Co: Alluvial Film Company
Recommended Films Based on Ballast (2008)
BURNING CANE (2019)
PHILIP YOUMANS
Stream on Netflix.
CLEMENCY (2019)
CHINONYE CHUKWU
Stream on Hulu, Rent/Buy on VUDU ($3.99, $14.99), Prime Video ($3.99, $14.99), Apple TV ($3.99, $9.99)
ABANDONED: ANGELIQUE’S ISLE (2019)
DEE REES
Apple TV ($14.99)
About the Curator: Alia Aluma (she/her)
An advocate for the creative industries and global contributor to arts and culture communities, Alia Aluma has worked and studied in four different continents and conducts her research and workplace tasks in three different languages. Her multilateral passions link grand interests such as architecture, film, writing, and entertainment, leading to experiences within the fields of fashion, photography, technical and culture teaching, writing and publishing, and fine arts and curation. While her current focus is on capital culture and art direction, she is also a practising visual artist and writer who has had works on display in Rome, Canada, and England. Her work is deeply rooted in empathetic work ethic and diversity, proven by her studies in multilingualism and world cultures.
Before graduating with degrees in Art History, Communications, and World Literature & Culture, Aluma began working as a ghostwriter while studying abroad in Hong Kong. In this role, she began writing novels on behalf of international clients, specializing in science fiction and business literature. Upon returning to Canada, Aluma stepped into the role of Editor-in-Chief and teacher, mentoring an entire journalism department from the ground up with Alberta’s largest hip hop foundation. Eventually, Aluma’s written history would lead to the creation of a digital course with skillshare foundation UPWEGO.ai. Currently, Aluma is working on publishing her Masters research in decentralized art and currencies (CryptoArt).
Aluma’s research has placed her within new roles in the creative industry, including her current position as Creative Arts & Technology Director with Greta Bar YYC/YEG/YVR, where she manages a CryptoArt Creative Foundation with the intention of reviving Calgary’s art scene. After speaking at multiple international conferences, she has also engaged with a team of academics from various institutions and many notable crypto-artists, leading to a highly anticipated textbook on the matter (publishing date TBD).
Presented in collaboration with
