To celebrate Black History Month, Culture Q is sitting down to interview Black creators who are making a difference and using their voice. Today, they sat down with filmmaker Thomas Allen Harris to discuss his first film Vintage.Â
#BlackHistoryMonth Highlight: Thomas Allen Harris @ThomasAHarris
Maker & Host of FAMILY PICTURES USA & DIGITAL DIASPORA FAMILY REUNION. https://t.co/0T4b6qzEFu pic.twitter.com/aMTPBWrVJw
— Black Public Media (@BLKPublicMedia) February 3, 2022
In the interview, Harris explains that many queer people grow up being the only LGBT+ person in the family, but his experience was the opposite because he had a queer sibling and one of his great aunts as well. From this, it inspired him to make a film surrounding that experience.
“Marlon’s work and his generosity of spirit helped shape my own practice as a socially engaged artist working in media. His innovation in form—bold, queer, emotive—opened up space to be authentically myself regardless of boundaries…https://t.co/Kp1dRPWKvh https://t.co/if1AQMnqgN
— Thomas Allen Harris (@ThomasAHarris) January 25, 2022
In the interview, he also talked about how his first film later inspired and taught him something that he carried along with his following film: how films assist in social change. He notes that he found it very interesting and how he wanted “to use the process of filmmaking to transform” the people that he was interacting with and working with.
Happy National #TakeYourDogToWorkDay!#meditation #dogsoftwitter pic.twitter.com/QD2kx7XPp2
— Thomas Allen Harris (@ThomasAHarris) June 26, 2020
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He notes that his films often take a look at a particular issue through the queer lens and the view from a queer person’s view. He also explains how difference is a theme within his films as well and tries to understand a different view or perspective. Both of Harris’ films, “Vintage” and “That’s My Face” are both available for streaming on Revry, where you can also watch the full interview.Â
