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[pauloberberanfilms]

“Bodies is an experimental narrative film that delves into family dynamics, identity, and sexual empowerment. The film also explores magic realism within its genre.

I knew from the beginning that I wanted to write an unconventional and oneiric love story, and consequently, I arrived at the tribulations that Akin finds himself in—hiding his secret from his family, while trying to help them financially, as he searches for love.

I started developing the film by interviewing real life male escorts, and it was clear from all the interviews I collected that there was a real desire for sexual satisfaction. Yet, the usage of this sexual drive served as a vehicle to hide deeper issues, such as their own loneliness in these particular cases.

Following this concept, I decided to create a film that separates the body as a sexual and primitive force, and the matters of the soul—which are presented in this film as something far more complex—are represented metaphorically through images of the ocean.

Allying this information to my own personal experience that I was going through when I started writing this film, Bodies ended up being a combination of these two aspects of my research.

Akin looks for love through his profession, along with the idea that one day someone, a client even, might be that person that provides him a sense of comfort and trust. It’s the motif behind this character. His relationship with his younger brother mirrors Akin’s hope for a new beginning, but also a sense of protection that he doesn’t get from his mother, whose firm religious beliefs and cultural background create a barrier between her and her son.

As Akin’s vulnerability bleeds on screen, the viewer is welcomed into this Nigerian household to witness his emotional journey first-hand.”

CREDITS 

Written and Directed by Paulo Berberan Starring: Oseloka Obi, Karlina Grace-Paseda, Mamad Heidari, Kent Ibe, and Ryan Rai; Principal Photography: Paulo Berberan Second Camera & Lighting: Yann Krajewski Assistant Camera: Nicolee Tsin Art Direction: Jade Rache Production Assistant: Annabelle Spence Sound Recordist: Peter Polak Edited by Paulo Berberan Produced by Paulo Berberan & Jade Rache Poster Design by David Pinho Illustration by Víctor Sierra Stills Photography by Kevin Baker

[pauloberberanfilms]

SKEPTA X NO FEAR FOREVER

[pauloberberanfilms]

S4U X TOO MUCH

[pauloberberanfilms]

John Smedley | Spring / Summer 2018 - Precision/Fluidity

[pauloberberanfilms]

STARLING X YELLOW SHOE SHINE

[pauloberberanfilms]

'A Safe Place’ started out as a follow up to my previous film ‘A Conversation,’ and I knew from the beginning that I wanted to follow the same structure of filmmaking, only this time, I wanted to push the fictional narrative within the film a bit further.

I interviewed three Muslim LGBTQ subjects: Safdar Kayani, Sohail Ahmed, and Asifa Lahore. From their personal experiences, I started writing my script and building my narrative. Initially, I wanted to focus on their experiences from a religious point of view, but quickly I realized that all three of them had one thing in common: their strength. It was obvious to me that by overcoming the pressures their community had imposed on them, they all faced those obstacles fearlessly.

That’s how my main character, Jamal, came to life and how their experiences influenced my character’s journey into self-acceptance. His relationship with his lover and bully, Hamza, and that duality of love and hate was the main center of my story. Jamal’s struggle was embodied through his dance abilities, and it was the mechanism he used to come to terms with his own identity. Through dance, he found within himself, his personal safe place, away from the dangers and trials of the outside world.

To vehicle this story, I decided to make my film mostly about memory. I use Jamal’s older self, reminiscing about his youth through fragments of imagery and glimpses of a poetic monologue, to tell his own story. I was very much influenced by the poetry of gay rights activist Essex Hemphill, and the filmmaking practices of Marlon Riggs, whose quote I chose to open the film with.

’A Safe Place’ is a film that opts for strong visuals and subtle dialogue to tell its story, yet leaves the viewer to interpret its own silence as well.

[pauloberberanfilms]

I met Winston on a night out. We bonded because my friend was from Berlin, and he had spent some time there. He was having a drink on his own, and I was immediately intrigued by the tone of his voice.

We then exchanged numbers and maintained a friendship, and I was fascinated by the experiences and stories he subsequently told me about being a gay man in the 1980's.

Nowadays, Winston enjoys spending most of his time alone, and memories of his younger years are now stored in a box under his bed.

I believe the social political circumstances of the time he grew up in, with the lack of freedom and rights in LGBTQ community, a slight society crisis over his racial identity, and his religious background, have somehow influenced his life's direction.

I was compelled to tell his story to a younger LGBTQ generation, and how his generation's strength has influenced and paved the way for a younger one. I was also very interested in representing someone with history, someone out of normal media representation, and someone one might even cross on the street—so many faces we see everyday, so many stories to be told. Everyone is entitled to tell their own story, and this film is a glimpse of Winston's.

[pauloberberanfilms]

[pauloberberanfilms]

Starling - No Rest For The Wicked

[pauloberberanfilms]

Wonderland x John Smedley - ‘The Art Of The Roll’ - Short Version

[pauloberberanfilms]

Wonderland x John Smedley A/W 17

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[pauloberberanfilms]

MAAD - ‘90′S LOVE’ - MUSIC VIDEO

[pauloberberanfilms]

My film ‘The Croft’ is now available online for a limited time only.

[pauloberberanfilms]

WONDERLAND X CHANEL

[pauloberberanfilms]

WONDERLAND X ALEXANDRA MOURA