CAMADAS DE NÓS
Paris-based brand C.R.E.O.L.E. falls for Rio de Janeiro in this intimate portrait of Brazilian youth
Creative and film direction
TANSI MAKELE
Photography
MORGANE H. GOMEZ
Words
STÉPHANE GABOUÉ
Nataal debuts Tansi Makele’s short film and photographic series ‘Camadas de Nós’ (Layers of Us), which joins the dots between Rio de Janeiro and C.R.E.O.L.E. This hot Paris-based brand was founded by Vincent Frédéric Colombo, a French-Guadeloupean designer who also moonlights as a stylist, casting director, DJ and organiser of La Creole parties. C.R.E.O.L.E.’s delicate exploration of Caribbean and queer aesthetics speaks intimately to Makele, whose own practice draws on his dual Franco-Congolese heritage to explore Afro-diasporic representation. Here, the young filmmaker speaks to us about this beautiful collaborative project.
“Inspired by the world of Vincent, we wanted to show his creations in the context of Rio de Janeiro, a city which, much like the Caribbean, is a crossroad where the intersecting stories of slavery, indigenous struggles, queer diversity and even Rasta culture are reflected in faces, bodies and expressions.
The film asks a universal question: What does it mean to be yourself? Who or what do you most resemble? The models, in answering this question, spoke about their origins or people dear to their hearts. And as they got comfortable with the camera, their spontaneity and many ‘happy accidents’ brought a visceral energy to the project.
Influenced by the work of Khalil Joseph, who mixes clip, documentary and art film, I wanted movement to take precedence over narration; to capture moments and feelings, as we shot in several locations that are far from the usual Rio aesthetics. Viewed together, the film and photography (shot by Rio-based artist Morgane H.Gomez) act as an ode to how the richness and diversity of Brazilian youth can lead to collective elevation. Each portrait is a window into the identity, struggles and dreams of each person, symbolising their personal and collective history – and connecting them to Caribbean people across the globe.”
“The film acts as an ode to how the richness and diversity of Brazilian youth can lead to collective elevation”
Visit C.R.E.O.L.E.
Creative and film direction TANSI MAKELE
Styling VINCENT FRÉDÉRIC-COLOMBO
Co-creative direction, casting and photography
MORGANE H. GOMEZ
Words STÉPHANE GABOUÉ
Cast WESLLEY DOS SANTOS BAIANO, CRISTIAN SANTOS, DAYENNE BASTOS, DANIEL MEDEIROS, JOAO VITOR S, NANDO UENO, IZRRA
Main film editing KENZA MEUNIER
Short films editing NATHAN GROSSHANS
Colour grading FLORIAN MARTINY at KEEPGRADING
Editor assistance and visual effects NATHAN GROSSHANS
Sound mixing BEYONDCORE STUDIO
Special thanks to KENNER, CENTRO CULTURAL CAPIBERIBE
