BLOOM.
I decided to make my final project about masculinity in the Latinx community. I asked a few people who identify as Latinx to participate in my project and gave them full creative liberty during filming. I was inspired to create this film after watching Seye Isikalu’s short scene “Monochrome.” from the film “Skinny Jeans,” which explores the black male experience across a spectrum of black male masculinity and beauty. I’ve never filmed or edited before this project, so it was a growing experience for both myself and the volunteers. I believe that, because this film was unscripted, I was able to capture complicated and nuanced Latinx identities. Participants identified as Latinx and black/queer/poor/child of immigrants/first-generation college student. By allowing narratives of Latinx people that complicate our ideas of Latinx performance and identity, I believe my project possesses social significance. The final edited version of this film discusses sexuality, mental health, stereotypes, toxic masculinity, and friendships. Through narrative, spoken word, and poem, this short film documents the ways in which society engages with masculinity, how masculinity functions in the Latinx community, and captures intimacy between Latinx men.
Music:
I Hope You Know - bLAck pARty
Pure - Hare Squead
Sunroof - Boogie ft. Dana Williams
Bloom - bLAck pARty