foto.synthesis films
“Plug Into Coal”
Filmmaker: Joe Brown, University of Denver
Major: Mass Communications, Masters
Other filmmakers: Daniel Sauve &Nathan Efstation
The film explores the true meaning of living green and discusses current environmental policies
“Assimilation”
Filmmaker: Shelly Flores, University of Arizona
Major: Photography, Bachelors
Assimilating two identities, often cultural, can be complex and excruciating. In “Assimilation” food serves as a metaphor for clashing identities, and the idea of melting pot manifests in this performance. The sensuality of the backdrop and hand gestures is juxtaposed with the grotesqueness of the destroyed cuisine.
“Imagine the Day”
Filmmaker: Alexandro Rojas-Sanders, University of
Denver
Major: Art & Art History, Masters
A short film that comments on how we are slowly damaging the environment with the way we consume non-renewable and slow-renewable natural resources. “Imagine the Day” is narrated by a 3-year old girl. Imagine the day when everything is turned into a desert due to our way of living.
“Trans-sexual”
Filmmaker: Jackie Stubbs, University of Arizona
Major: Media Arts, Bachelors
This film explores gender identity, and what it means to identify as transgender. One transwoman tells her story, and relates the way her identity has changed her life over the past few years of her life.
The filmmaker says:
"This short film was captured on a very misunderstood person and subject. I only hope this topic will be normalized years to come, rather than still seen as
abnormality."
“Nosh-e Jan (Bon Appetit)”
Filmmaker: Gazelle Samizay, University of Arizona
Major: Photography, Masters
In Nosh-e Jan (Bon Appetit) the viewer is invited to witness the ritual of passing and consuming secrets within an Afghan-American family. The secrets are shared in three different languages (Pashto, Dari, and English), each of which signifies a different generation in the family. The whispered secrets create a complex, layered tapestry that represents the personal and sociopolitical world of an immigrant Afghan family. The secrets are not exposed for long, as they are reconstituted and buried inside dumplings, only to be consumed again by both the female and male members of the family.
“9,409 miles”
Filmmaker: Gazelle Samizay, University of Arizona
Major: Photography, Masters
Over the past thirty years, millions of Afghans have fled their homeland, living as permanent guests in countries around the world. Their new homes are at once a blessing and a painful reminder of what was lost. In 9,409 miles the viewer watches an architect, who, after leaving Afghanistan more than 20 years ago, is still longing for the house he built and was forced to leave. Absorbed in recalling the memories of his old house, he pays no heed to his wife's efforts to prepare breakfast for him. However, his ruminations are abruptly interrupted, and he is reminded of the futility of clinging to a home that only exists in his imagination.
“Imag(e)ining”
Filmmaker: Christopher Olivares, University of Arizona
Major: Chemical Engineering, Bachelors
This synthesis of videocollage and visual poetry explores the use of dance and the circus as activism, as self-expression, and as a break from authority.
“Bailo”
Filmmaker: Christopher Olivares, University of Arizona
Major: Chemical Engineering, Bachelors
A poem. A dreamscape of Mexico City. An exploration of identity and reality.
“Title Mine”
Filmmaker: Amy Wieseneck, University of Arizona
Majors: Media Arts, Bachelors
Filmmaker: Alex Kassmen, University of Arizona
Majors: Creative Writing, Bachelors
Title Mine is a story about one girl and her two friends who get ousted from a public basketball court. They decide to fight back against the evils of adolescent boy basketball. It's not actually evil-- they just wanna play some ball too.
“BeFourUs”
Filmmaker: Coriana Close, University of Arizona
Major: Photography, Masters
A four minute retelling of African American History.
