Congolese-born, Montreal-based polymath Pierre Kwenders has shared a new Robert Mentov-directed short film to accompany his Polaris Prize-winning album José Louis and the Paradox of Love.
With creative direction from the artist himself, Lualaba Mother is a three-minute cinematic experience that uses experimental narrative structure to meditate on the concept of (re)birth.
"To me, this was to express how important Black African and Caribbean mothers are," Kwenders said in a statement. "The impact they have on us. They are God! The mother is the land of your birth, it's your culture, it's all that makes you and it's also all that makes you question yourself."
Mentov added, "Our intention was to explore maternal themes through non-linear storytelling; pushing the threshold of the visuals that we created to capture the stages of a boy's life. Through the use of celluloid we intended to set up an abstract world of darkness and light that reflects the journey along the veins of the river; the place where there is no sun."
According to press materials, this is one of two shorts inspired by the acclaimed album, so stay tuned for more.
Watch Lualaba Mother below.
Kwenders will kick off 2023 with some Canadian tour dates.
With creative direction from the artist himself, Lualaba Mother is a three-minute cinematic experience that uses experimental narrative structure to meditate on the concept of (re)birth.
"To me, this was to express how important Black African and Caribbean mothers are," Kwenders said in a statement. "The impact they have on us. They are God! The mother is the land of your birth, it's your culture, it's all that makes you and it's also all that makes you question yourself."
Mentov added, "Our intention was to explore maternal themes through non-linear storytelling; pushing the threshold of the visuals that we created to capture the stages of a boy's life. Through the use of celluloid we intended to set up an abstract world of darkness and light that reflects the journey along the veins of the river; the place where there is no sun."
According to press materials, this is one of two shorts inspired by the acclaimed album, so stay tuned for more.
Watch Lualaba Mother below.
Kwenders will kick off 2023 with some Canadian tour dates.
