1. How did your concept for the short film for AFRICA FORECAST develop?
EBONY: We found that the exhibition asked us to consider how we adorn ourselves. From what we wear to body art, our emotions and thoughts are expressed on our bodies. By deconstructing the themes present in the exhibit and interpreting them as both muse and filmmaker, I believe we were able to shape a short film that is both reflective of the space and energies that fill the exhibition, as well as document it collectively from a perspective of archivist.
AMBER: We began with reading the artist’s statements, and we were inspired by the exhibition’s color scheme. Discerning the artworks as both portrayals of self-reflection and views on how bodies impact spaces, we thought about how these two concepts interact. We asked ourselves how do we portray these themes visually? What do these images mean to us coupled with how they are portrayed by the artists? We began to think of our characters as living artworks in conversation with the work on the walls.
2. How did the collaboration with the Museum help stretch your practice?
EBONY: This collaboration has provided us an opportunity to use the existing work of Black women artists to construct a fresh narrative. I feel as an art film house we have bloomed more because of this collaboration byway of composing film proposals to frame multiple moving themes that maintain the essence of our brand and the Museum.
AMBER: I believed it further highlighted the arthouse aspect of HOJ filmmaking. We are both artists, and our art influences our filmmaking. Our response to AFRICA FORECAST gives the audience a chance to view this concept nearing its rawest form.
3. How and who do you define as “muse”?
EBONY: A muse for me continues to be an entity that draws stimulation to produce art. The more I water and learn of myself I am finding, the more I am able to attract muses.
AMBER: Any body, and the works of that body, serving as a vessel of inspiration.
About House of June
Amber L.N. Bournett is a military brat, artist, science fiction enthusiast, cinematographer, and director. She co-founded indie art film house, House of June, with Ebony Blanding in 2013, while studying Film and video at Georgia State University. Her love of film began during the plastic Disney VHS Box Collection era. Initially visually expressing through oil paint and brushes since childhood, Bournett then a fine art painter began studying as a cinematographer.
Ebony Blanding is a blooming filmmaker and screenwriter from Atlanta, GA. In summer of 2013, Blanding formed indie art film house, House of June, with a bourgeoning filmmaker and fellow film student, Amber L.N. Bournett, to create content to address a void of women and people of color in film living in fullness and colorfully in modern context.
In October, House of June screened a selection of their films at Spelman for a program titled Unapologetic Melanated Cinema. Click here for a full interview with House of June and the English department.
Find House of June next at the Daughters film festival, celebrating emerging female filmmakers of color November 11-13 in Columbia, SC.
