Muslim Drag Queens, from director Marcus Plowright allows unprecedented insight into the clandestine gay Asian or ‘Gaysian’ community in the UK which provides a haven for young men who are unable to publically reconcile their sexuality with their cultural identity and traditions. Homosexuality is widely deemed to be forbidden within Islam and the exhibitionist nature of drag remains one of the ultimate taboos for many British Asians – forcing the entire scene underground. This sensitively-made film focusses on the stories of three of the 100-150 Muslim Drag Queens who face the seemingly insurmountable challenge of gaining acceptance and tolerance within their own wider communities.

“There is a whole community that is living in Britain which is hidden. Now is the time to come out. You’ve got to be big. You’ve got to be bold. And you’ve got to have balls of steel.” Asif Quaraishi /Asifa Lahore

Commissioning Editor David Brindley says: “This is an incredibly important, surprising and moving film. Those who have chosen to tell their stories have done so with immense bravery and speak so eloquently about the struggles they have faced. With piercing honesty, Muslim Drag Queens gets right to the heart of a community that has up until now remained hidden from the wider British public.”
Produced and Directed by Marcus Plowright
Executive Producers: Neil Cromboe and Joe Evans
Composer: Alexander Parsons
Production Company: Swan Films

I’m delighted to announce that the whole Grayson Perry’s Dream House soundtrack will be available to stream from the 20th-27th May, in advance of it’s general release.

“It’s like Grand Designs on acid.” The Times
“Fascinating television. Be amazed.” The Observer
“Grayson Perry’s Dream House was a very lovely thing…completely charming.” The Independent

Grayson Perry’s Dream House charts the creation of Grayson’s riskiest and most personal public artwork of his career: a loving tribute and celebration of his homeland of Essex inspired by his life and the people he grew up amongst. This is his tribute to Essex Women in all their glory and a powerful challenge to the reductive myth of the ‘Essex Girl.’

It is also Grayson’s biggest project to date, a creative collaboration with Charles Holland of FAT Architecture, that also involves a team of engineers, builders and crafts people. It’s taken three years to build and has involved hundreds of man-hours.

Broadcaster: Channel 4
Production Company: Swan Films
Produced and Directed by Neil Crombie
Filmed and Edited by Marcus Plowright
Music Composed by Alexander Parsons

I am delighted to announce that What Makes Me Me? And Other Interesting Questions has been nominated in the Learning – Primary category for the BAFTA Children’s Award.

What Makes Me Me? And Other Interesting Questions is a humorous and engaging series of short films voiced by Robert Webb, exploring fundamental philosophical concepts through everyday questions that children ask, and adults often struggle to answer.

The series was broadcasted on BBC Two in February 2013 and is available on Class Clips.

Executive Producer for BBC: Katy Jones
Executive Producer: Andy Glynne
Producer: Kerry McLeod
Director of Animation: Nandita Jain
Additional Animation: Federico Parodi
Music and Sound Design: Alexander Parsons