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There is No Escape: Genesis X Screening

by Julie Jones
written by Julie Jones

It’s not every day you get to sit in a room full of people talking openly about mental health, but that is exactly what arthur gallery’s new short film, Genesis X, prompted dozens of young adults to do. Hosted at the Hippo Factory Studios in Los Angeles, the 15 minute movie was screened in the large photo studio with an open bar and music featured by William Anthony.

The film follows a down-on-her-luck young woman named Xiomara, played by Jalesa Marks. Xiomara is struggling to turn her life around and impress her esteemed father working for an infamous corporation. As she continues to perform tasks for the company, she struggles to break free from her anxiety feeling as though there is no escape.

As many young professionals have seen, the standards of work ethic and face time set by corporations lead to increased anxiety and a diminished sense of self-worth. gallery explores this notion in Genesis X by outlining the pressures Xiomara faces from the corporation while also outlining the parental pressures that come with said performance. Stylistically, gallery also illustrates these tensions through Xiomara’s body language, a strong cinematic color palette, and action scenes. The film’s musical efforts, led by William Anthony, also create a palpable sense of stress as we see Xiomara struggle to reconcile her work and her emotions.

Q&A moderated by Sadé Unique Grandberry

Q&A moderated by Sadé Unique Grandberry

During the Q&A with gallery and the cast, the discussion centered around the anxieties and pressures of corporate life. The open dialogue was refreshing given mental health is still seen as a taboo subject. Take away from the night? There is a little Xiomara in all of us, but perhaps there is an escape if we continue to de-stigmatize mental health.

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On The Scene: A Special Screening Of ‘A Man Named Scott’ directed by Robert Alexander, starring Kid Cudi

by Claire Kay Hernandez
written by Claire Kay Hernandez

It was an honor to meet and speak with Mr. Scott Mescudi also known by his stage name, Kid Cudi. His film A Man Named Scott directed by Robert Alexander is an intimate look at his life not only as the artist we all know him to be, but as a mere human being navigating this life and this reality. The film follows his discography in order from the very beginning of his career until the present day. We see archival footage of his early tour days in Australia, and interviews never before seen on the big screen. The documentary is raw and unfiltered, highlighting the cultural impact and shift Mr. Mescudi’s music has had on the music industry over the last decade.

With interviews from Kanye West, Shia Labeouf, Willow Smith, Schoolboy Q and many more, they each speak about his artistry as a musician with such regard and passion. Most notably, interviewee’s highlight Cudi’s ability to be so vulnerable in his music. Giving his listeners a safe space to feel their feelings. For some, this is the first time in their lives they would feel safe enough to do so. 

With great success comes great struggle. Mr. Mescudi’s story begins with struggle, meets success, and once again finds himself fighting a battle within himself. Even while having world tours, financial gain, and a growing fanbase, Mr. Mescudi found himself plagued with challenges both with his mental health and drug misuse. With incredible courage and utmost strength he vocalizes his pain and seeks help. It is because of his bravery, he is able to get the help he needs to heal. Overall, the documentary is cut together as eloquently as his musical works. His voice transcends across mediums. A true gift. The film premieres this Friday, November 5th on Amazon Prime Video. I highly encourage you all to watch it.

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EntertainmentFilm

Review: Why We Can’t Stop Thinking About ‘Promising Young Woman’

by Samantha Bergeson
written by Samantha Bergeson

It’s hauntingly real, and that’s a problem. 

The myth about nice guys is wrong: it’s the “loose girls like that” who inevitably finish last. Promising Young Woman slips so effortlessly from dark comedy into horror that its unsettling effect is ever more striking by how sugarcoated with charm lead Cassie (Carey Mulligan) is. That’s Cassie’s superpower, to disrupt our expectations – and prove that “nice guys” really don’t exist.

Writer-director Emerald Fennell, who also produced the film with Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap Entertainment, marks her impressive directorial debut with Promising. The film captivated critics at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival before its Christmas Day release. Costarring Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, and Laverne Cox – plus a slew of famously nice guy actors like Adam Brody, Max Greenfield, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse – Promising proves we really can’t judge someone by their so-called sloppy (and presumed slutty) exterior.

Thirty-year-old med school dropout Cassie works at a coffee shop by day and trolls for unassuming men by night. Every weekend, she pretends to be too drunk to stand at a local bar, only to stumble into the arms of a “well-meaning” gentleman who graciously offers to take her back to her house…oh wait, nevermined, it’s easier just to go to his.

Through different outfits, hairstyles, and makeup tricks, patron saint of vengenance Cassie snags a variety of self-important men who find that discussing the hardships of masculinity while quoting David Foster Wallace’s “Consider the Lobster” an aphrodisiac. A Cindy Sherman for the nightclub scene, Cassie projects what her targets want to see, all before holding up a mirror to reflect their attempts at assault.

Promising’s rape culture revenge story is elevated by stunning cinematography, Mulligan’s intoxicatingly raw performance, and snappy soundtrack that packs a punch akin to Birds of Prey’s flashy bubblegum-popping good time. That is, until Cassie finds herself entangled with a past acquaintance, and is forced to come to terms with why she gave up her “promising” career years prior.

Cassie’s raw determination against patriarchal assumptions blazes more forcefully than token Christmas Day blockbuster Wonder Woman’s golden lasso ever could. Need we look any further than Cassie for our 2020 feminist icon?

Promising leaves us asking whose fault it is that promising young women’s careers – and lives – are shattered by date rape. But the real question is, whose fault are we comfortable admitting? From complicit taxi drivers to bartenders, Promising spotlights a culture that can’t question what it doesn’t want to see. Thankfully, this film makes it hard to look away.

“Promising Young Woman” is in theaters December 25. 

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