EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

By Rob Clymo, May 2014

Interview with #BEAUTYIS_FILM director Toyin Agbetu in May 2014 Issue of Digital Filmmaker Magazine (Page 50).

https://www.facebook.com/DigitalFilmMakerMagazine


DOCUMENTARY EXPLORES BEAUTY DEBATE FROM AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

24 April 2014 

As Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o is named the world's most beautiful person by US People magazine, a new documentary explores the beauty debate from an African perspective.

Through a collection of personal and group interviews the film explores issues like hair, skin, relationships and character.

Film-makers Toyin Agbetu and Olive Aleakwe spoke to Focus on Africa about their documentary Beauty Is.

Click here to read artcle and watch interview

By Ntombenhle Shezi, Thursday, 15 May 2014

Social Activist and filmmaker Toyin Agbetu’s latest project Beauty Is, is an interesting look at the concept of beauty from a Pan-African Perspective. The documentary digs deeper than the usual physical debates in its exploration of the topic. Looking beyond the usual physical debates as well as what Agbetu describes as “surface level rituals” that we engage with to encourage others to find us attractive. Beauty Is also looks at religion and confidence and how these affect male-female relations. Ntombenhle Shezi, a freelance writer from Johannesburg​, South Africa interviewed him about the project.

Click here to read interview

Beauty Is…Not Being Black, Perhaps?

By Middle Aged Black Man, 13 May 2014

In an age where the perception is that Black men disproportionately date and marry outside of their race, where it is often difficult to detect a Black woman from behind if she has chosen to sport a twenty inch, bone straight, Asian haired weave/wig and where skin bleaching has become the curse of many an African community and somewhat de rigueur, things don’t look great as far as Black pride is concerned.

Enter stage left, Toyin.

Beauty Is... a film/documentary made pretty much entirely by a good friend of mine, Toyin Agbetu. He’s one of the only people I know who has a Wikipedia entry; can I get a whoop-whoop!

Click here to read interview

For any press inquiries (including access to photos and other press materials), please contact: -

beautyis@ligali.org



For any press inquiries (including access to photos and other press materials), please contact: - See more at: http://www.itsagirlmovie.com/press#sthash.KTfvcOM8.dpuf

For any press inquiries (including access to photos and other press materials), please contact: - See more at: http://www.itsagirlmovie.com/press#sthash.KTfvcOM8.dpuf

For any press inquiries (including access to photos and other press materials), please contact: - See more at: http://www.itsagirlmovie.com/press#sthash.KTfvcOM8.dpufMEDIA RESOURCES

Download the Electronic Press Kit (9 Page PDF)

Download the High Resolution Stills (64MB, ZIP)

Download the Beauty Is Movie Poster (A2)

Download the Beauty Is Movie Poster (A4)

Download the Beauty Is Mask Logo


Beauty Is... a feature length film exploring the topic of beauty from a Pan African perspective through a candid collection of personal and group interviews. It includes an assortment of short films and animations through which we also explore the impact of education and schooling, confidence in dating and relationships, and controversial topics like skin bleaching and 'light skin - dark skin' preference.

Beauty Is... also examines the nature of our external features such as hair, skin and body shape, and then dives deep into investigating societal pressures from both our peers and a sexist global media that feeds insecurities about body image whilst perpetuating shadism and western ideals. The documentary asks questions to experts about the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry and reveals how the harmful chemicals in some skin bleaching creams and hair straightening products work.

This film offers a unique look beyond the traditional "natural v processed" argument to engage with philosophical debates about the role of ethnicity, gender, culture and tradition in defining what beauty really is in a wonderfully diverse world of billions.