How does your film respond to this month’s theme – LGBT?
LGBT is quite a broad theme that might carry specific connotations, so I’d rather this film have a piece that reflects my own experience than try do something else.
While thinking about it I wrote this kind of text-poem that appears in subtitles. Maybe it’s cheesy but I think volcanoes are pretty cool symbols - they have force; they can destroy but also create new land and give life back.
I’d rather this film have a piece that reflects my own experience than try do something else.
The brutalist backdrops in the film almost become the volcanoes with this context. In turn, the choreography and music, which are vulnerable and emotive, give life to the film. Three graceful dancers perform defiantly; their clothes in primary colours giving a subtle nod to the rainbow flag.
It's about being both strong and vulnerable at once, which I think is very LGBT. And I am happy with the end result because of this underlying contrast. It's about growing, letting go, healing, (re)connecting with yourself and other humans.
Can you explain the process behind the making of your film?
The project was refreshingly different to the way I usually work. I knew the set-ups and locations I wanted but I didn’t know what to shoot until we cast it. There was no narrative to follow so a lot came from trying things out on the day.
This was a collaborative project so I want to give a massive shout-out to everyone who was part of this. Our choreographer Chester Hayes grasped the tone of the film and managed to evoke incredible performances from the dance artists - Harry Price, Layo Adebayo and Ted Rogers - all of whom evoke such grace and charisma; I almost fell in love with them. Producer Kelly Ram from The Smalls helped me make sense of the creative and logistics.
Things got emotional when we got to the edit and the music score. I am honoured for Jamie Ross’s input on this. His music not only matches and elevates the visuals but really adds another layer of emotion. I still get moved hearing it. Also a big shout out to Jess Clarke on make-up, Alex Creed for graphics and Caroline Morin (CHEAT) for her top-skills colour magic.
I think everyone was excited to be part of this and I am super grateful for having the opportunity to make it happen.
It's about growing, letting go, healing, (re)connecting with yourself and other humans.
Do you think art really can be a vehicle for change?
I say yes, because we experience and consume art on both a personal and a collective level. If the art is good it will trigger a small visceral change inside you or me or anyone; and from then onwards this change can snowball into bigger things.
About Lexi Kiddo
Lexi Kiddo is a London-based producer, director and editor. He works in online content, promos and music-videos. He grew up in Athens before moving to the UK to study anthropology. He is now almost 30 and likes most digital stuff, some books, crewneck sweaters, Crash Bandicoot nostalgia, cloudy skies and palm trees.
Next month, our theme is ‘Globalisation'
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