The Space Invasion...!

Hello all! 

Its been awhile since my last update, so I have lots of juicy content.

In case you missed it, here is the link again to my last project, Death Becomes You, Rebekah Zurenko. For more information about that project, see the previous post. Don't forget to share with your friends and fellow gays!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giMLZUMkjkQ&feature=g-upl

 My latest project will also be my final project while working here at MSU. The project is a feature length film called Lesbian Ancient Aliens.

 

 My thesis film will essentially ask the question: what would happen if Ancient Aliens returned to earth...and were all lesbians? The space lesbians live in what could be described as “lavender paradise”; the present day environment will serve as the flip-side to this utopia, a dystopian society where lesbians and gays are discriminated against politically and socially. In doing so I am actively questioning culturally appointed privileges given to certain members of society, and asking what would happen if suddenly these privileges were given to a historically oppressed minority.

 

Lesbian Ancient Aliens crosses over many contemporary areas of academic research. It involves anthropology, a critical analysis of history, manipulation of context to reveal greater truths about situations, and a philosophical and practical interrogation of capitalism and socialism; all of which results in a work that serves as a cultural critique and a love letter to the impossible.

The larger story arc is as follows: the Lesbian Ancient Aliens return to earth. Upon returning, they are confronted by a hostile society. Unprepared, they attempt to find shelter and fellow lesbian Earthlings. Eventually, they befriend a group of student lesbians/queers/trans people, and it is the interactions between these two groups (future/present) that give rise to arguments for and against perceived utopic societies. In the end, the lesbians that return to earth are faced with a moral dilemma: destroy Earth because it is too heterosexual or leave it the way it is for their lesbian descendants to struggle through and hope it gets better. This moral dilemma speaks to the hearts of all social activists; how do we fight inequality?  Is there a way to live peaceably in a dystopian society without being crushed by oppression?

 

The black & white images seen above and below are concept art/drawing made in preparation of the film. Filming will begin in October, and I am very excited! Enjoy the rest of the images below, and don't forget to watch my other videos if you have not all ready!

Thanks!

Death Becomes You: Rebekah Zurenko

Appearing before you is my longest film to date, Death Becomes You: Rebekah Zurenko. A video-self portrait, I split the self into the classical dichotomy of 'body' and 'mind'. Together, my body and mind fight for control of themselves and each other as they traverse the multiple stages of my own personal obstacles. An examination of my own ability to inflict self-torture, watch as I attempt to overcome the perpetual ennui that is the fragmented western psyche.

It was super fun to make and I'd like to thank all my actors and supporters throughout this endeavor!

2012

Hello all! It has been a while, I apologize, but its really for the better since I have some AWESOME updates to post.

My most recent project is a short film titled, "Death Becomes You, Rebekah Zurenko". A death-fantasy/self-portrait, DBYRZ is an exploration into one lesbian's fragmented Western psyche.

This painting, "Dead Bitch: Self Portrait", was a precursor painting to the film; here, I picture myself as a walking corpse, supported by an allegorical figure of profane lesbian love. Loosely related to the theme of the movie, it supports the assertion that we are all walking corpses, held up by allegories and ideologies.


I created these two promotional images from still shots taken during the video shoot. The use of fetish/bondage is meant to be a metaphor for control of the self and others, as well as a reference to the subjective nature of pleasure. 'Rebekah Zurenko' in the film is played by two individuals chained together, depicting the relationship of the 'mind' to the 'body'; this relationship can be expanded to discuss the relationship between the immaterial and material nature of identity.

And last but not least, a 1:15 second promotional video/commercial for the film. Enjoy!