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Dance film

OBSIDIAN

Learning to unlearn

RoleCo-creator · Editor · Lead
WithOr Schraiber
DPDerrick Belcham
Year2019

In a patriarchal society, masculine identity is molded by violently toxic stereotypes. Obsidian suggests desertion.

Overview

01

A dominant, oppressive masculine model is imposed at birth: attitudes, language, and action progressively conform to a macho ideal of virility that removes vulnerability and dependence. Any reference to femininity is aggressively banned, treated as a threat to a masculine prototype that allows no divergence. The ideal is unnatural — yet the cultural model systematically rejects or ridicules whatever doesn’t comply.

It seems necessary, then, to suggest desertion — away from patriarchal plans and uniforms. Deconstructing masculinity as it has been historically established. Opening the cage, to celebrate a man free to practice self-determination without social constraint, authoritarian sanction, or suffocating stereotype. Breaking the symbolic order. Turning back time; learning to unlearn.

Watch

Excerpt · 1:00

An excerpt from the film

Credits

Cast + crew
Created by
Treyden & Or Schraiber
Camera
Derrick Belcham — director of photography
Dramaturgy
Bobbi Jene Smith
Crew
Morganie DeLeonardis, production manager · Marion Talan, costume · Julia Discenza, stills · Treyden, editor
Featuring
Mouna Soualem, Woman in Red · Treyden, Lead
Ensemble
Kevin Clark · Richard Mazza · Conner Chew · Alex Haskins · Brandon Graff · Evan Fisk · Hussein Simko · Yoni Averbuch · Peter Farrow · Barry Gans · Nicolas Noguera · Jalen Coleman · Sean Wiberg · Kaine Ward · Orlando Harbutt · Thomas Woodman · Michael Garcia · Aaron Choate · Cornelius McMoyler · Liam McKenna · Tobi Adeyemo