I finally directed my first short film, entitled “Wildflower,” as a part of my editorial project for the @apostrophereps AMP mentorship program. Wildflower is an off-the-cuff story about finding an inner utopia. It’s an exploration of our inner landscape and a journey of finding simplicity. I wanted to use this opportunity to tell a story through multiple mediums that challenge the ethos of current society while inwardly asking ourselves the existential question – is this (life) as good as it gets? I incorporated a myriad of juxtapositions of color with black and white and sounds with expressions to find new meanings and create a nuanced story layered with meaning, exploring interconnected themes like spirituality, freedom, fear, and connecting to the earth. Furthermore, Wildflowers explores the essence of being present – being present with yourself and nature, being present in moments of introspection and joy, and being present in stillness and movement. #byjulienjames Credits: Photographer, Writer, & Director: Julien James @sirjulienjames Creative Producer: Artur Lebedyev @theissueof.art Producer: Nico Lue Young Talent: Dazaun Soleyn @dazaun_s Director of Photography: Sergey Nikitenko @kocmos Video Editor: Juan Garcia-Quintero @garciaxquintero Colorist: Dmitry Litvinov @litvinovdimaa Music Composition: Matthew Thompson @mattvista Music Coordinator + Writer: Foster White @fkwhite_ . . . #director #directorofphotography #shortfilm #movie #life #arrialexa #utopia #movies #editorial #blackdirectors