A photographer . His model. A field, a night in disco bar, a motel room and the shower. The early morning after. A short film admirable for the gentle way to propose a simple story about self definition . All the nuancs- fair and precise exposed in best manner.
Self Portrait (2020)
A young photographer explores his sexuality after a surprising romantic advance. “Self Portrait,” directed by by Gus Aronson, is a sensual experimental film which spotlights and inverts the concept of the photographer’s gaze. During a portrait session, a photographer and model experience a lustful spark, though the photographer seems unsure of this sudden development. They spend some time together at a bar, then to a dance club, and on to a motel. Aronson leans into the minimal and vague and finds a nice balance of the artful, provocative and contemplative.
Directed by Gus Aronson.
Starring: Henry Shankweiler and Jake Stiel.
Shot and Edited by: Gus Aronson.
Produced by: Gus Aronson and Ginger Port.
Assistant Director: Ginger Port.
Gaffer: Alex Lopez.
Music by: Maeve Schallert.
Sound Design and Foley Recording: Theo Webb.
Location Sound by: Maeve Schallert, Aurora Amidon, and Holden Hlinomaz.
Production Assistant: Aurora Amidon
Recipient from Bard College of “The Jerome Hill Prize” for an Excellent Senior Project and Exceptional Service to the Film and Electronic Arts Department — Class of 2020
Gus Aronson is a photographer and filmmaker based out of Bronx, NY. Embracing ambiguous narrative and vivid color as tools to push against ideas of the document, Gus rejects the notion that photographs are purely evidence of a time past. He explores how photographs can rather function as tarot cards: relics of the past and roadmaps for the future. After graduating Bard College in May, he has completed commissions including for Aperture and Elle Magazines, and was part of the Aperture Summer Open 2020 “Information” show at Fotografiska New York in September.
Watch Self Service
