The Cytokine Storms (2020, 38 mins) is a lyrical essay film that explores the colonial echoes of the UK government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, looking at colonial responses to the Irish and Indian Famines, laissez-faire economics and indifference to marginalised lives. It interweaves contemporary personal and geopolitical events. 

Susan Thomson is a writer and filmmaker, and directed the Ghost Empire trilogy, funded by the Arts Council of Ireland, exploring the legacy of British colonial laws on LGBTQ+ rights around the world. The films have screened internationally at film festivals, galleries, universities, and government, including in New York, Mumbai, Nicosia, London, Dublin, Mexico City, and Edinburgh. The Swimming Diaries, an artist’s book, was exhibited at X Initiative, New York and Artbook @ MoMA PS1, New York and is held in the collection of the Live Art Development Agency, London. Susan has written for many publications including Circa, IMMA magazine, the Times, Women’s News, GCN and JSTOR, as well as having recently completed a novel about Roger Casement. 

See trailer: https://vimeo.com/486485554

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Posted on behalf of: School of Media, Arts and Humanities
Last updated: Wednesday, 20 January 2021