Having worked in Africa for many years, Frédéric Noy documents the unjust treatment of minorities, the displacement of populations and the impact of climate change. Feeling a deep attachment to this changing continent, Noy is also interested in personal stories and the individual victims of social pressure. In his latest report, Homo Africa, the photographer reports on the daily lives of the LGBT community in Burundi and Rwanda. For over a year, Noy managed to gain the trust of community members, who agreed to open up their doors to him in the hopes that Noy would help advance their cause. Some are activists, openly defending their rights, while others keep their sexual orientation a secret lest they be banished by their families. They all run a risk by being openly gay in a country where homosexuality is punishable of imprisonment, like in Burundi, or in countries like Rwanda where it is tolerated but remains taboo.
“The law protects them,” says Noy, “but social law is more powerful than the actual law.” The exhibition, featuring interviews, photo and video, is having its debut at the Zoom Photo Festival. Represented by the Agence Cosmos, Noy is continuing the project in Uganda, where he currently lives.
FESTIVAL
ZOOM PHOTO FESTIVAL SAGUENAY 2014
Frédéric Noy
Homo africa : être gai au coeur du Continent africain (Rwanda, Burundi)
Zone Portuaire
49, rue Lafontaine
Chicoutimi
Canada
Thursday and Friday 12:00 to 6pm – Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm
www.fredericnoy.com
