The Outsider Issue

Outdoors

Building a career as a self-taught photographer

How to make it on your own — Lola Paprocka moved to London with no idea what she wanted to do with her life. Now she’s an established photographer heading up the capital’s independent photography festival, helping fresh talent rise to the surface.

Written by: Biju Belinky

Reportage

Young, gay and vulnerable: The African outcasts living in constant danger

Waiting to walk out — Kenya has become a safe haven for those fleeing war and famine in neighbouring states. But in secret hideaways and temporary homes, LGBT refugees are being forced – once again – to hide their true selves instead of walking out into the world with pride.

Written by: Jacob Kushner

Film

Inside the world of film’s most staunchly independent director

Life through a different lens — Portrayed as a struggling dreamer in cult film American Movie, director Mark Borchardt has made a madcap documentary of his own about UFO hunters. But he's determined to not be mistaken for a fantasist.

Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray

Magazine

The hell bangers of Botswana's underground metal scene

Far beyond driven — Botswana’s heavy metal culture gets hyped for all the wrong reasons: namely the desert-defying style of its leather-clad crews. But beneath the surface is a DIY subculture uncorrupted by the outside world.

Written by: Bongani Madondo

Activism

This Syrian rapper risked everything for freedom. Now he wants the world to listen

From activist to outcast — In his homeland of Syria, Mohammad Abu Hajar is considered a fugitive – a political musician who wore out his welcome. But in Berlin, where he lives in exile, the right to exist poses a new set of challenges.

Written by: Lara Atallah

Culture

Coming of age in a country that doesn't exist

Welcome to Transnistria — Transnistria is a self-proclaimed nation that broke away from Moldova in 1990. Now that its first generation are becoming adults – with few prospects and an economy in free-fall – they’re finding their way in a world that doesn’t recognise their identity.

Written by: Cian Traynor

Activism

Iran’s youth are kickstarting a grassroots revolution

Iranian Aliens — In the shadows of the country’s hardline regime, young liberal Iranians – now the majority of the population – are finding creative new ways to rebel.

Written by: Alex Pierce

Magazine

Cosey Fanni Tutti: fearless provocateur, ultimate outsider

A life less ordinary — Branded a ‘wrecker of civilisation’ by the establishment, Cosey Fanni Tutti is a creative force who ripped up the rules in the realms of sex, music and performance art. Now the rest of the world is finally catching up to her.

Written by: Cian Traynor

Activism

The Israeli soldiers breaking their silence, revealing the reality of occupied Palestine

An illegal occupation — Nadav Weiman dreamed of becoming a sniper in the Israeli military, but making that a reality opened his eyes to an unspoken truth: he’d been duped into committing injustice. Now he’s helping others speak out.

Written by: Michael Segalov

Activism

The sports hero who disguised herself from the Taliban

Girl Unbound — Maria Toorpakai Wazir has managed to achieve the impossible: rising to stardom as a pro squash player, dressed as a boy, in a place where sticking out can get you killed. Now a film has been made about her life.

Written by: Marta Bausells

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