queen harold
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I was in Sierra Leone filming a project for Freetown Music Festival and I knew I had to capture some of the things bubbling under the surface of this humming capital. Freetown has a unique energy, beautiful, bustling and inspiring.
I had been talking to Kwaku Kamara, a local and one of the production team about the underground gay scene in Sierra Leone. It is through Kwaku that I met Harold and Jiva and after a few conversations we began to talk about what life is like for them and their friends in Freetown.
I was struck by their incredible resilience, joy and determination in fighting for their LGBTQ rights in a country where homosexuality is still illegal. I wanted to make something that simply told their story about strength, life and a need to love freely in Freetown.
Director – Balan Evans
Producer – Lucie Massey
Fixer / Guide – Kwaku Kamara
Score – Nabihah Iqbal
queen harold
obioma
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Emmanuel is a drummer and a fashion designer, neither of which is first or second. These two passions support and inspire each other, they are symbiotic, an intrinsic part of his personality. I worked with Emma in Sierra Leone back in 2017, and his artistic force struck me deeply. When I heard he was in the UK for a short time I knew I needed to make a film about this enigmatic creative and how his musical passions feed his fashion label Manikénè and vice versa. This film was made in tandem with a new collection, Obioma.
Here is what Emmanuel has to say about this collection, and what inspired it.
“If you grew up in the southern region of Nigeria, then you may have had your clothing made or mended by a travelling tailor or “Obioma” as everybody calls them. Walking from place to place with their heavy sewing machines and tools balanced on their head. They would pull a string fitted with a wooden bead with one hand which made a distinct sound alerting residents nearby that they were in their neighbourhood and ready for work. Their illustriousness to provide for the people and their loved ones, regardless of the weather and environment, even without an atelier, their hard work is not forgotten. The world is their studio.”
Director – Balan Evans
Producer – Lucie Massey
Director of Photography – Edward Massey
Focus Puller – Sam Hotson
Sound Recordist – Caleb Kunle
Drummer and Fashion Designer – Emmanuel Edwards
Editor – Balan Evans
Sound Mix – Caleb Kunle
Special thanks to Doña and Kodak Film Labs.
obioma