Do you fit into the West: Poetrydirected by third-year computer science student Joshua Mathews, will premiere at University College on Monday at 6 p.m.
The film depicts a tough young man who challenges the mainstream lifestyle of the Western world to his therapist, played by USC president Sunday Ajak. This book aims to be a social commentary on the Western world, focusing on the reasons behind individuality and conformity.
“I share the same feeling,” says Matthew. “This is more of an expression than a critique.”
Matthew came up with this idea to make this film during Western University's homecoming celebration because he personally didn't consider it to be an important part of the student culture at Western University. He questioned whether students were participating for themselves or because of friends or pressure to follow trends.
“These are things I wanted people to question, because I also question myself,” Matthew says.
The film staff of Do you fit into the West: Poetry.
The film takes a lot of inspiration from American rapper Kendrick Lamar's song “N95,” which shares the same theme as the film: “Why are we doing this?” The theme is Matthew initially wanted the film to be a social commentary similar to the song, but changed his idea after the first shoot.
“Who am I to criticize? I'm not relevant enough to do that,” Matthew says, adding that the world doesn't revolve around him and that people with different lifestyles He added that he realized he had his own story to tell.
With this in mind, the film ends up being what Matthew calls “abstract poetry,” a series of events and sequences rather than a character's grievances.
Matthew worked on the film on a minimal budget, enlisting the help of producer Adam Bent, a third-year film major and co-president of the Western Film Society, and Janelle Allan, a fourth-year media, information and technoculture student. I asked for it.
He also enlisted Western students to score the film, recruit models, and help with set design. About 20 students from various faculties, including the cast, worked on the film together.
With his film, Matthew wanted to prove that it was possible to produce compelling, high-quality work despite a limited budget.
“The creative scene on campus is not in its blooming stage. I've met so many people who want to create but feel like they can't do it,” says Matthew. “I want to teach them that you can really do whatever you want… All it takes is willpower, you know, just really forcing it. ”
The film will be shown in Room 1041 of University College. After the screening, a seminar will be held by the Western Film Association regarding submissions to various film festivals.
