Hetain Patel Shorts at David Lean Cinema - September 2024
A series of screenings curated by artist Hetain Patel to coincide with Come As You Really Are, a free exhibition commissioned by Artangel currently open to the public in Croydon. Each film (see further below) has been selected for its’ personal resonance to Patel and is paired with a short film of his own, which relates thematically to the feature film. For more information and to book a visit to the exhibition (located in the old Grants buiilding) visit artangel.org.uk
Hetain Patel is a London-based artist and filmmaker, whose work challenges reductive categorisations of identity and art. Often rooted in personal experience, and that of his immigrant family, Patel’s work invites us to see identity as multi-dimensional and complex, linked as much to what we choose to do, as to that which is assigned by birth, heritage, social norms, and conventions.
Patel’s films, sculptures, live performances, paintings and photographs have been shown worldwide in galleries, theatres and on iconic public screens, including Piccadilly Circus, London, and Times Square, New York. His works have been presented at the Venice Biennale, Ullens Centre for Contemporary Art, Beijing and in London at institutions including Tate Modern and Sadler’s Wells.
Patel’s works are in public and private collections in the UK and internationally, including Tate, British Council, Arts Council England, Government Art Collection, Manchester Art Gallery, M+ Museum Hong Kong, KNMA New Delhi, and Fondazione In Between Art Film, Rome.
Regarding this series at The David Lean Cinema Hetain Patel says:
“Each of the 3 feature films have been hugely influential to my identity and also how I make films. Behind the fantastical thrill of them are deeply relatable approaches to learning how to become yourself – from imitation and wearing disguises, to faking it until you make it, they show there isn’t just one way to try this, and that its ok to get it wrong along the way”.
COMING TO AMERICA
1988 | Dir John Landis | 116m | 
USA
Saturday 28 September 2024 at 2.00pm
An Artangel presentation, preceded by Hetain Patel’s short film LANDING – 2022 (Council Cert U) – 10m
Pampered African Prince Akeem, realising he is being railroaded into a marriage of convenience by his father, escapes to the States and looks for a woman in Queens who he can respect for her strong will and intelligence.
Five years after Trading Places, John Landis and Eddie Murphy re-team to bring Murphy’s script hilariously to the screen. Pampered African Prince Akeem is shocked to find he is being married off by his father. He and his manservant escape to New York to search Queens (where else!) for a woman who will love him for himself.