Directors’ Statement

RASHAAD NEWSOME

JOHNNY SYMONS

Assembly is more than just the title of the film and Rashaad’s exhibition—it is a metaphor for the coming together of dozens of skilled, cutting-edge artists who contribute to a powerful collective voice project that manifests in a remarkable performance space. The result is a film that resists categorization—blurring the lines between art, documentary, performance, and activism.

At its core, Assembly is a synthesis of our two distinct creative approaches and a testament to the power of collaboration. Rashaad’s background as a visual artist, AI creator, and VFX specialist—grounded in the practice of collage—shapes the film’s vivid and cohesive aesthetic. His approach, which integrates performance, animation, sculpture, and music, creates a visual language that is both dynamic and immersive. This aesthetic blurs the line between the real and the surreal, inviting viewers into a deeply layered cinematic experience. By foregrounding both his own interiority and that of his subjects, Rashaad’s vision brings emotional depth and a liberatory imagination to the narrative, transforming the way Black queer stories are seen and felt.

Johnny’s extensive experience as a documentarian delivers a crucial counterbalance to the film’s bold visual style. His career focuses on capturing the nuanced realities of queer lives, cultures and movements, using observational storytelling to reveal the subtle and often hidden complexities of identity and community. In Assembly, this approach allows the narrative to unfold through authentic moments of connection, tension, and transformation that infuse the larger issues with humanity and meaning. His ability to build trust with subjects as he documents their journeys offers viewers intimate access to the collaborative and deeply personal process behind the creation of this groundbreaking work.

Through merging our distinct approaches, the film becomes an assembly of voices, histories, and visions, showcasing how art can serve as both a mirror to society and a tool for liberation. In capturing this process, we invite audiences to experience the profound impact of collective artistry and the boundless potential of reimagining the world through creative collaboration.