Simon Fujiwara
Joanne (2016)

We are delighted to be presenting a rare online screening of artist Simon Fujiwara’s FVU-commissioned work Joanne, celebrating the film’s ten year anniversary.

Joanne, a former model, beauty queen, teacher and more, wants to escape the "topless teacher" slur that dominated her life and career after private photos of her circulated at the school where she worked. She teams up with Fujiwara, once her pupil, to reshape her public image through social media; where authenticity is prized as much as fantasy. The film doesn't aim to show the ‘real’ Joanne, instead suggesting that our faith in images to define or redeem us is often illusory, even if we keep believing in their power.

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Descriptive subtitles and captioning are available, please click the cogwheel button on the control bar.

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Joanne was commissioned by Film and Video Umbrella, The Photographers’ Gallery and Ishikawa Foundation. Supported by Arts Council England.