Hello! I'm an artist and filmmaker based in London. Since July 2019 and with the support of Film London Artists' Moving Image Network (FLAMIN) and producer Pinky Ghundale, I've been developing a new artist film, which I’m tremendously excited about and can’t wait to finally bring to life. In order to do that, I need to release the grant I've already received from the Arts Council England, by raising the final funds ( => £9 000 ) towards the project!
A little bit about the film...
The film follows queer woman ‘X’ through her dreamlike journey inside a mysterious and dark universe. There she encounters a number of puzzling characters: the Judge, a group of teenage thugs, a nun and child, selfie-taking lovers... The confrontation with these archetypes lead X further and further in her quest, until she meets a group of beguiling circus performers and magicians who show her a new way of life and introduce her to the Masked Women.
The film will have minimal dialogue and its expressivity will lie mostly within the images and sound: disorientating camera work, hallucinatory and mesmeric rhythms will transport the audience...
Some of my collaborators...
Cast
---> Daya Halle
Daya Halle is a Brussels-based artist and performer.
---> Betrand Lesca
Bertrand is an actor from France. After studying at Warwick University, he went on to assist Peter Brook and Declan Donnellan on several international tours. Bertrand currently works with Nasi Voutsas (Bert and Nasi) with whom he co-created the trilogy EUROHOUSE, PALMYRA and ONE. In 2020, he was awarded with the Forced Entertainment Award in memory of Huw Chadbourn.
---> Rosie Bartley
Rosie is a juggler and circus performer with the magical Chivaree Circus crew and teaches at the National Centre for Circus Arts and beyond. In 2018-2020, she was live performer on international tour with electronic musician Jon Hopkins.
+ 30 incredible extras appearing as part of fanfares, magicians, circus figures, masked performers, thugs and lovers.
Crew
---> Writer, Director, Producer, Editor: Antonia Luxem
A self-taught artist filmmaker, I create experimental films inspired by my research in neurology and philosophy in relation to the human brain and its interpreting of the external world, seeking to transport viewers to under-explored mental spaces. My latest work delves into our perception of queerness.
Recent and upcoming screenings and exhibitions include Whitechapel Gallery, London; B3 Biennal of the moving image, Frankfurt; Swiss Church, London; Well Projects, Margate; Turf Projects, Croydon; LIMBO, Margate; Whitstable Biennial, Guest Projects, London. Recent film festivals include Underwire Film Festival, London; KINOSKOP Analogue Festival, Belgrade; Traverse Video, Toulouse; East End Film Festival, London.
I also work as a freelance film director and producer, having made music videos for artists Elena Tonra (Ex:Re/Daughter), Night Works and Holy Moly & The Crackers, as well as Abbey Road Studios, the concert series Listenpony and Culture Mile. In 2019, I researched and produced a documentary about the youth climate change movement (‘THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, WE ARE THE RESCUERS’) for Dazed digital.
---> Director of Photography: Deepa Keshvala
Deepa has worked on music videos for artists including Chaka Khan and ads for brands such as Libresse, Nike, Burberry and Stella McCartney. She has also worked with artist filmmakers Beatrice Gibson and Cecile B. Evans. She wrote and directed the short film Kara, released in partnership with The National Association for Children of Alcoholics.
---> Production Coordinator: Rhona Foster
Rhona has created short films through the support of BBC & LUX: Now & Next, BFI NETWORK and The Newbridge Project (Newcastle). Rhona has recently shown work at Bloomberg New Contemporaries, London Short Film Festival, Aesthetica Short Film Festival and EMBASSY Gallery (Edinburgh). She also works as an Art Department assistant on TV productions.
---> Costume Designer: Simon Schmidt
Simon is a media curator and art director. Previously working as Editorial Manager under Creative Director Shini Park at Cubicle/ Cube Collective, Simon has consulted various global brands and influencers on their content strategy and execution. Clients Include: Bottega Veneta, Cartier, FAY Brand, Ferragamo, Glasshouse, Holzweiler, Hugo Boss, Ioannes, Joseph, Marge Sheerwood, Moet & Chandon, On Atlas, PYRUS, Rimowa, Samsoe & Samsoe, Self Portrait, Smythson.
---> Set Designer: Elouise Farley
Elouise studied interior spatial design at Chelsea School of Art. She has worked for projects in film, TV, theatre and live events including the Young Vic theatre, LookLeftLookRight and Frieze Art Fair. She has recently started a project called Lady Wood which aims to teach and encourage womxn in woodwork through videos and workshops.
Why am I making this film?
This film stems from a personal desire and felt necessity to keep voicing and celebrating LGBTQ+ identity, especially at a time of lingering societal prejudice and rampant homophobia. It was inspired by my research in the intersections between phenomenology and queerness, most significantly discovered in the ideas of Sara Ahmed in her book “Queer Phenomenology”: how is it that people arrive to certain places? Why are we taken or pulled from one space to another, unconsciously? How do we make the strange feel familiar? Building on the history of queer cinema, where lesbian representation is scarce, my film will seek to create a new language for lesbian identity and sisterhood.
Who is funding the film?
Film London Artists' Moving Image Network (FLAMIN)
Arts Council England National Lottery Project Grant
The Budget...
The total budget for the film is £31,000
So far I have raised £22,000
To access and release these funds, I need just another £9,000!
What stage is the film at?
So far, the film has been through:
- Development
- Pre-production
What we still need to do:
- Production
- Post-production
Why fund this project?
- Be a patron of the arts
- Empower women and queer people in film and the arts
- The film will provide work to the artists and technicians working on it — something that has become scarce in the current pandemic
- Support experimental filmmaking and artists films
- Contribute to creating a vehicle for connection
Every donation, big or small, helps. With a little help from a lot of people, I will be able to reach the target needed to make the film.
I understand that not everyone is able to make a donation, but don't worry - you can still play a part in supporting the film by sharing my campaign, which helps build attention and excitement for the film. Thank you!