Toxic

Why is it that we stay in destructive relationships?
Through Arnold and Tiwa’s stories, Ese Ejodame creates an intimate docufiction narrative exploring the different types of intimate partner violence that exists in LGBTQIA+ relationships.

Inspired by true events.

  • Ese Ejodame
    Director
    Myskväll, Kärleken Mellan Oss, I am FINE
  • Ese Ejodame
    Writer
    Myskväll, Kärleken Mellan Oss, I am Fine, Våldet mellan oss.
  • Pedro Lima
    Key Cast
    "Arnold"
  • Filip Botin
    Key Cast
    "Kay"
  • Alazar Keiredin
    Key Cast
    "Simon"
  • Rubina Banfield
    Key Cast
    "Tiwa"
  • Ese Ejodame
    Key Cast
    "as Themself"
  • Ese Ejodame
    Producer
    Myskväll, Kärleken Mellan Oss, I am FINE
  • Xzen Eman
    Producer
  • Catharina Albarella
    Cinematographer
  • Nika Persson
    Titel Design
  • Simon Mortensen
    Grading
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Short, Student, Other
  • Genres:
    Hybrid, Drama, Documentary, Fiction
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 29 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 8, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    29,674 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Sweden
  • Country of Filming:
    Sweden
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • Gothenburg Film Festival 2020
    Gothenburg
    Sweden
    January 25, 2020
    World Premiere
    Swedish Shorts
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    July 25, 2020
    Gold Award For Best LGBTQ Short
  • Prague International Monthly Film Festival
    Prague
    Czech Republic
    April 23, 2021
    Best Short Documentary. Best LGBTQ. Honourable Mention: Original Screenplay
  • Venice Shorts
    California
    United States
    September 12, 2020
    Finalist
  • Best Director Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    September 24, 2020
    Finalist
  • Docs Without Borders Film Festival

    United States
    August 23, 2020
    Official Selection. Award of Excellence
  • Mark Art Not War Teaser Future Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 17, 2020
    Official Selection.
  • Brazil International Monthly Independent Film Festival

    Brazil
    May 25, 2021
    Official Selection
  • The Black Cinema Meeting Zozimo Bulbul- Brazil, Africa, Caribbean and Other Diasporas
    Rio de Janeiro
    Brazil
    October 29, 2020
Director Biography - Ese Ejodame

Ese Ejodame (b. 1994) is a non-binary queer filmmaker (They/Them), born in Nigeria, grew up in Gothenburg. They work mainly with topics that are LGBTQIA-related, violence perpetrated by non-cis-men and mental health issues. Ese studied at Katrineberg Folkhögskola in Halland and has a BFA degree from the Valand film academy of Gothenburg.

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Director Statement

Why do I make films?

I make films to innovate, to challenge the stereotypes, to bring awareness to the topics that lack representation, to challenge your preconceived notions on sexuality, gender roles, racism, and feminism. Films that will motivate and educate. Films that lift your spirit up when you're feeling a little blue and need cheering up. Films that wouldn’t leave you feeling dissatisfied, under-represented, questioning your space or identity.

Rather, I make films that reassure that you are seen and that you matter, films that will drag you into a world full of suspense, into a fictional and documentary world, a world that can be seen in both color and monochrome. I want to make films that remind you of the good times but leaves you reaching for the box of tissues.

I want to make films that inspire you because let's face it, you are whom I aim to please. For you, I will work tirelessly, come hell or high water, or even under insanely unfair wages. I will do all of it and more with a smile on my face, because at the end of the day, I'll know it was all worth it, to have made this film for you because you, my dear audience, are my motivation and inspiration. You inspire me to do better. To be better.