Snailfingers

Film Maker
Martiros, Alina
Year
1999
Country
Canada
Language
Format
16mm
Length
24
Genre
experimental, narrative, queer, short
Category
LGBTQ, Race + Ethnicity, Work about Women, Work by Women

On her immigration flight to Canada, Lailey, a young Iranian woman, encounters Snailfingers, an ancient aboriginal water-spirit. When Lailey and Snailfingers make contact, their stories become intertwined and unfold simultaneously. The drama chronicles a slice from the lives of Lailey and her sister Parvaneh, attending ESL school. Here Lailey meets Claire, the teacher’s assistant, a disillusioned lesbian of colour who represents the Sapphic voice. The secular lives of the three women are juxtaposed with Snailfingers’ spiritual existence. A poetic narrative presents glimpses of Snailfingers as she embarks on a healing quest. Several montages featuring water as the quintessential Yin element fragment the narrative flow as they elucidate the subtext. The film ends with the beginning of Claire’s journey into the Canadian bush.

Stills From Video

  • Still 1

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