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Ascent of The Moth is a short documentary from emerging director Damilola Lemomu and creative organisation They Eat Culture. 

The documentary focuses on three black male artists and explores the complexities of black masculinity and the process of being vulnerable through their art. Through expression of their experience in the interviews and the art forms of poetry, dance and fabric dying they expose what it is like to be a Black male artist in society, what makes them feel vulnerable and how they are subverting and responding to stereotypes put upon them.

Find out about the artists here.

In the film we see Laho express “With other men if you challenge them, you’re not part of the secret code that no one talks about; and I’m not interested – I’m not interested…it’s quite hard to navigate that because the effects of those things can be quite damaging”

The film uses the men’s art, as well as interviews, to highlight the complexities of black masculinity and how we can all learn to express ourselves through art. 

Jeremiah says how “There’s so much that politically affects me, just being black and a man…. [when writing] how you relate to the world it ends up being political…”

Ascent of the Moth is about true self expression and the metamorphosis Jeremiah, Brandon and Laho have made to get there. It is about power in all its forms and emerging from challenging preconceptions and subverting social expectations to find a place where you are comfortable with your identity. 

This short documentary will challenge you to reconsider and evaluate your own preconceptions and look at black masculinity through a fresh lens.

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