The Same Track is a new video work playing on screens and in venues around the city. It uses archival footage of Commonwealth Games athletes, spectators, and administrators cut together with images of economic and promotional activity in various British colonies and Commonwealth states. The Same Track draws attention to the fact that the Games, including its current iteration, is implicated in an ongoing political project centuries in the making.
The Same Track is part of a multi-site video and multimedia artwork titled Equations for a Body at Rest, which tracks the history and symbolic presentation of the Commonwealth Games, and by association, the Commonwealth body itself, from its genesis in empire to the current day.
PREVIEW SCREENING
Wednesday 6 July, 5.30 – 8.30
Mockingbird Cinema, Custard Factory, Gibb Street, B9 4AA
This screening programme featured films by Birmingham-based filmmakers Fabio Calundungo, Canaan Brown, Brandon Orgill, Jaz Morrison & Gugan Gill.
Hosted by Adjei Sun, including a panel discussion between local creative organisers Vik Chandla, Courtenay Welcome, Hasan Khan, and Lexia Tomlinson.
TICKETS HERE
Special thanks to Film Birmingham, Mockingbird Cinema & BRMTWN.
DIGBETH FIRST FRIDAY SCREENING
5 August, 6–8pm
Eastside Projects, 86 Heath Mill Lane, B9 4AR
Part of Digbeth First Friday
No need to book.
COMMUNITY MICRO FESTIVAL
in collaboration with Bertz Associates
Throughout July and August in community centres and spaces across the city
Sunday 24 July, 2–3pm
Community Screening
Word Life Centre, 9 William Street North, Newtown, B19 3QH
Featuring ‘Sporting Tower’ (Dir. Yonatan Tiruneh)
TICKETS HERE
Special thanks to Word Life Centre & BRMTWN.
Tuesday 2 August, 1–4pm
Screening and Family Day
Nechells POD, 28 Oliver Street, Nechells, B7 4NX
Featuring ‘Sporting Tower’ (Dir. Yonatan Tiruneh)
TICKETS HERE
Special thanks to Nechells POD & BRMTWN.
Wednesday 3 August, 6.30–8.30pm
Thimblemill Library, Thimblemill Road, Smethwick, B67 5RJ
Featuring ‘Tower of Dreams’ (Dir. Pogus Caesar) & ‘Sporting Tower’ (Dir. Yonatan Tiruneh).
Hosted by Bertz Associates’ Iris Bertz
TICKETS HERE
Special thanks to Thimblemill Library, Windrush Productions & BRMTWN.
Sunday 7 August, 12–2pm
Studio Screening
Civic Square, Canalside House, Rotton Park Street, Edgbaston, B16 0AB
Featuring ‘Tower of Dreams’ (Dir. Pogus Caesar) & ‘Sporting Tower’ (Dir. Yonatan Tiruneh).
Hosted by Sarah Ali, In Conversation with Yonatan Tiruneh and Thenjiwe Niki Nkosi.
TICKETS HERE
Special thanks to Civic Square’s ‘The Front Room‘ & BRMTWN.
BIRMINGHAM 2022 LIVE SITES
Birmingham 2022 Smithfield Live Site
Saturday 30 July – Monday 8 August, daily throughout the Games.
Smithfield Festival Site, B5 6UB
Birmingham 2022 Neighbourhood Live Sites
Thursday 28 – Friday 29 July
Farnborough Fields, Castle Vale, B35 7LQ
Friday 29–Saturday 30 July
Sense Touchbase Pears, Selly Oak, B29 6NA
Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 July
Sparkhill Park, Sparkhill, B11 4LX
Monday 1 – Tuesday 2 August
Edgbaston Reservoir, Edbaston, B16 9EE
Wednesday 3 – Thursday 4 August
Oaklands Recreation Ground, Yardley, B25 8UB
Friday 5 – Saturday 6 August
Handsworth Park, Handsworth, B20 2BY
Sunday 7 – Monday 8 August
Ward End Park, Ward End, B8 3PH
Alongside projects by Amy Ching-Yan Lam, Rajni Perera and Jon McCurley, Thenjiwe’s project is part of our programme for Birmingham 2022 Festival. Thenjwe’s project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England. Community screenings are supported by Film Hub Midlands.