Program
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
7:30 p.m. Film screening
Health and security
Asia Society Texas is thrilled to host the Houston Cinema Arts Festival screening of the inspiring and electrifying rock documentary Sirens. HCAF 2022 features a wide variety of curated feature films with a focus on the diverse cultural communities of Houston, TX.
Sirens
United States, Lebanon, 2022, 78 minutes
Director: Rita Baghdadi
Sirens intimately recounts the life and music of Slave to Sirens, a group of five young metalheads whose rising notoriety takes place against the backdrop of the Lebanese revolution. Its members struggle against friendship, sexuality and destruction as their music serves as a refuge for Beirut’s youth culture.
At the heart of the group are its two founding members, Lilas Mayassi and Shery Bechara, whose complicated relationship and ensuing strained fallout threaten the very fabric of the group. An even more imminent threat, however, is the criminalization of homosexuality in Lebanon, along with the utterly devastating effects of their country’s political regime.
Despite their obvious challenges, the members of Slave to Sirens persist in trying to create their own revolution: living their truth.
About the Houston Film Arts Festival
The 14th annual Houston Film Arts Festival is taking place November 10-17, virtually and in person, at venues across Houston. HCAF 2022 will showcase a wide variety of curated feature films with a focus on the diverse cultural community of Houston, TX. HCAF 2022 will also see the return of CineSpace, an annual short film competition with NASA, as well as the third annual regional short film competition, Borders | No borders. https://www.cinemahtx.org/
Asia Society Texas’ performing arts and culture programs are presented by Syamal and Susmita Poddar. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Endowment and The Brown Foundation Inc. Generous funding also provided by AARP, The Anchorage Foundation of Texas, The Clayton Fund, The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts and the Wortham Foundation. Additional support provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts, National Endowment for the Arts, United Airlines, and through contributions from the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing exceptional programming and exhibitions at Asia Society Texas.
Performing Arts and Culture Presenting Sponsors
Syamal and Susmita Poddar
Official Airline Sponsor
Program Sponsors
Presenting Partners
About Asia Society Texas
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diversity of perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating Asia’s vibrant diversity, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Covering the fields of arts, business, culture, education and politics, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community – trusting in the power of art, dialogue and ideas to fight prejudice and build a more inclusive society.
