Seeing People Like Me (2024)

From Poland to Brighton discovering Aga.

This micro documentary explores Aga's discovery of her sexuality as she moves through different cultures and locations. Her journey starts in a society where being a lesbian was inconceivable to her, however, new people, places and experiences allow her space to discover herself and gain confidence in who she is.

    Director Biography - Steven Coles, Itoitz R Jusue

Steven Coles was born and raised in Tamworth in the Midlands, UK, and has lived in Leicestershire for the last 20 years. He is a Clinical Psychologist with an interest in how power is used and misused in society. This is his first documentary and second short film. His first short was ENTER The Dark Woods, which explored the impact of social media on people. It has been screened internationally and won Best Short Film category at Phantasmagoria Film Festival.

Itoitz R. Jusue was born and raised in the Basque Country (Spain). She has a love of travel and has lived in several countries including Argentina and Poland. She now lives in Leicestershire, UK. She was one of the organisers of 'Queer East Midlands Film Festival' in 2023. The festival curated films related to LGBTQ+ lives, experiences, and ways of viewing the world. She is an academic whose research interests include popular culture and politics of representation. This is her directorial debut film.

Director Statement

Documenting and giving space to the personal stories from marginalised groups such as the LBGTQ+ community is more important than ever. Particularly given that there is ongoing dehumanisation and discrimination towards this community by anti-LGBT governments, politicians and groups.

In contrast to such division, the film came about as a collaboration between a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Itoitz, and an ally, Steven. Despite both having differing experiences as to how the world has responded to them in terms of gender and sexuality and growing up in differing countries and cultures, they both had a shared interest in understanding and resisting oppression (as well as an enjoyment of film, food, drink, graphic novels and humour!).

Aga's story highlights how culture and power can conceal from a person a core aspect of themselves. Her story also shows how new experiences, people and resistance can allow a person to grow, gain confidence and flourish. 

Please tell us your motivation for making your film:

The directors are concerned with revealing oppressive cultural practices and how people resist these restrictions. We feel documenting and giving space to personal stories from marginalised groups such as the LBGTQ+ community is more important than ever. Particularly given that there is ongoing dehumanisation and discrimination towards this community by anti-LGBT governments, politicians and groups.

What is the theme of your submission?:

Identity, Oppression, Resistance

What was the message you wanted to convey with this project?:

The documentary and Aga's story highlights how culture and power can conceal from a person a core aspect of themselves. Her story also shows how new experiences, people and resistance can allow a person to grow, gain confidence and flourish.

Credits:

Aga Wajrak

Key Cast

"Aga"

Steven Coles

Director

ENTER The Dark Woods (2023)

Itoitz R Jusue

Director

Keith Allott

Director Of Photography

Lifelike (2021); Dolls (2016); Flawless (2014)

Steven Coles

Editor

ENTER The Dark Woods (2023)

Denise Coles

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisor

Steven Coles

Writer

ENTER The Dark Woods (2023)

Itoitz R Jusue

Writer

Steven Coles

Producer

ENTER The Dark Woods (2023)

MarcusBresslerMusic

Music

Specifications:

Project Type:

Documentary, Short

Genres:

LGBT, Social, LGBTQ+, Lesbian

Runtime:

5 minutes

Completion Date:

March 25, 2024

Production Budget:

250 USD

Country of Origin:

United Kingdom

Country of Filming:

United Kingdom

Language:

English

Shooting Format:

4K, Digital,

Aspect Ratio:

2.35

Film Color:

Color

First-time Filmmaker:

No

Student Project:

No