Tuesday, June 4 at House of Yes in Brooklyn, NY at 7 pm EST - BODEGA

Today (June 4) at  House of Yes (in Brooklyn) the short film BODEGA will screen at 7pm.

Tickets are $10 and details for purchasing can be found HERE. 

The film - BODEGA - follows the story of a young queer, Black woman struck by love at first sight. Writer and director Sharik Atkinson’s (she/they) goal is to bring more queer stories that aren't centered around the trauma of "coming out" to the screen. 

WHAT: Short-film premiere of BODEGA followed by a cast Q&A moderated by Womxn in Windows. 

WHEN: Tuesday, June 4 - doors open at 7 pm EST. 

WHERE: Screening will be held at House of Yes (2 Wyckoff Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237) with an after-party to follow at The Bush (333 Troutman St Store 4, Brooklyn, NY 11237)

WHY: Sharik’s and the film crew’s mission is to bring more queer stories that aren't centered around the trauma of "coming out" to the screen. They want to explore the nuances within queer relationships and the blurred lines between friendship, flirting, and fixation. 

Following the premiere, Sharik aims to circulate BODEGA in the festival circuit - starting with TIFF later this year, and then SXSW, Sundance, and Tribeca for next year. 

MORE: Bodega delves into the captivating tale of a young queer woman ensnared by the magnetic pull of love at first sight. Within this riveting queer psychodrama, the delicate tendrils of a budding romance slowly morph into the shadows of obsession. What begins as promising meet-cute metamorphoses into a narrative reminiscent of the chilling Netflix show "You." The audience is left to ponder the depths our protagonist will plunge to in the pursuit of her heart's desire. Will she navigate the delicate balance between passion and peril, or succumb to the darker allure of obsession?

Here is a Q&A with BODEGA star Ocean van Exel:

https://www.tiktok.com/@oceanvanexel?lang=en

Q:

Who are you vs the people on Social Media Think You Are?

A: I would like to think that I am similar online to who I am offline. I try to authentically show who I am and the things that I care about. Surprisingly, social media has taught me not to take myself so seriously. There are obviously parts of my life that people do not see, but at the end of the day I am just a girl who loves to talk about queer things and look stylish while doing it! 

Q:

What does it mean to be LGBTQ+ in 2024?  

A: It means to be ourselves and to express ourselves fully without limits. Living in the digital era, we can connect in a way that is different from before, and it is so important to use our digital platforms to protect and stand up for each other. Being queer is to be yourself unapologetically, and I love seeing people having fun, living their truth, and I am rooting for every queer person, always. 

Q:

Do you know your Queer history? If so ... what's the importance of young folks to know it?

A: I believe that Queer history is such a huge and integral part of our culture. Living in NYC as a lesbian, it is almost impossible to not know the Queer history. Especially being surrounded by queer historical establishments like Stonewall Inn and some of the first lesbian bars in America like Cubbyhole and Henrietta Hudson — I feel privileged and empowered by the rich, deep history living in this city. The Herstory Archives in Brooklyn is one of my favorite places to visit because it showcases documented sapphic history which is beautiful to witness. The ability to access these historic spaces is truly amazing — but honestly, my favorite way to learn is through people. The queer people that have lived to tell the tales of their time and the way they have contributed to shaping our culture and have fought for our rights today is so impactful. Most importantly, I love hearing queer stories firsthand, because it is so inspiring to know where we came from to see how far we have come and where we are headed. 

Q:

How do you keep yourself balanced? Do you balance your life away from social media?

A:

Finding a balance can be a challenge, especially since getting sucked into social media is so easy. However, I was an athlete when I was younger — so fitness is a huge aspect of my life still and I love to keep myself occupied through physical activities such as running, soccer, and dancing. I also enjoy picking up different DIY hobbies and learning how to create things with my hands like accessories and thrifting items that I can style. 

Q:

Why did you say yes to this short film?

A:

I said yes to being on “Bodega” because I loved the vision of seeing a POC lesbian love story unfold that wasn’t tied to trauma about coming out. Lesbian representation is so important and we need to see more of it. Being able to be a part of anything queer in the media was super exciting but equally important to me.