FASHION & FANTASY | PART 26

Considering film’s tendency of bringing together different art forms, I’ve selected four videos that deal with mental health through four different approaches, spanning across narrative, dance, experimental and animation.

OLYMPIA. By Giulia Achenza - The Posther

With Olympia director Giulia Achenza takes on a more narrative stance in the way she addresses the human psyche, challenging at the same time the definition of fashion film. Inspired by Don De Lilllo’s novella Body Art, the film tells the story of a body artist and her director husband. Starting their life together as a married couple, everything carries on as normal until the day Olympia receives tragic news about her husband, leading her into an unexpected journey into herself.
 

Thought Loops - Hot Air Henry. By Samuel Laubscher

A collaboration between modern-classical drone composer, Hot Air Henry, and contemporary dancer, Erin S Murray, Thought Loops is a representation of the effects of physical depression. The short was performed in one long take and shot on 35mm film, immersing the viewer into the subconscious of the human brain visually expressed through a detailed choreographed dance routine.
 

JANA (ジャナ). By Freddie Favar

An experimental, sensitive and surreal insight into a person’s emotional wellbeing, Jana is a collaboration between designer Jana Wienland and film director Freddie Favar. The film stands as an exploration of gender fluidity, exploring a person’s emotional journey as they begin to address how they really feel and who they identify as.
 

Split. By Cento Lodigiani

Looking into how we deal with stress and anxiety, Split is inspired by the idea that we view our  existence with a dualistic mind. Lodigiani plays with how we often tend to think in black and white, as a way to simplify scenarios and feel more in control. Using only black and white to express this concept, this animation dwells on on how truly in control we ever are.