A film for the ages
During the Tribeca Film Festival, actor, writer, and director Ty Hodges showcased his latest film, ‘Venus as a Boy.’ The film takes place in Los Angeles, centering itself around a young artist named Hunter (played by Ty Hodges). Hunter has been a struggling artist, trying to find a muse to channel his creativity into all while navigating the tricky art world within Los Angeles. It isn’t until he refuses to sell a painting of his that he then has a chance encounter with a girl named Ruby (played by Olivia Culpo), who is a famous Instagram influencer. The two are completely different yet have instant chemistry and spend an intimate weekend together while she is there visiting LA. The two then head to NYC, where Ruby promises Hunter that she will introduce him to her various artist friends and connections in order to better help his career. It isn’t until they reach NYC and spend more time together that they start to question their own identities, placements in life, and whether they are a good fit together.
‘Venus as a Boy’ leverages a lot of artistic styles in the way it wants to progress the plot forward. The opening scene takes place in the Los Angeles desert, where you see Hunter struggling to navigate through, dazed and confused. The scene then cuts to Hunter in his room meditating to a meditation app which lets you know that there are two different worlds within this film, the physical and then the metaphysical realms. The film uses these two realms to explore a few themes such as ego and alter ego, masculinity and femininity, and purpose and meaning in life. In fact, throughout the film whenever there is a big plot point, the scene then shifts to the desert to further communicate the intricate emotions that Hunter is feeling at that time. Each time the film transitions to the desert, the intensity of those emotions become greater and greater as Hunter tries to understand who he is beneath the surface of things. Another artistic device used to enhance the film is music. Ty being a musician cultivated an amazing film soundtrack and used it as a method to progress the plot forward as well as using the music to further communicate how the characters’ are feeling.
‘Venus as a Boy’ had its World Premiere during Tribeca Film Festival and was partnered with Afropunk and Bodvar House of Rosés. This film is available to all audiences to view through the “Tribeca At Home” digital platform.
