Black Flowers

Directed by Stefania Dall'Armi

Synopsis:
Gaia lives a life dedicated to sustainability but she struggles to find opportunities as a freelance model until her agency secures her a role as Mother Earth for a fashion campaign. Initially thrilled by the opportunity to raise awareness about climate change, Gaia soon realises the campaign's exploitative nature. As she navigates the moral complexities of her role, Gaia is forced to confront the darker truths lurking beneath the surface. She becomes a poignant symbol of the consequences of human activity on the environment.

Director Statement:
It can be argued that we hear stories about climate change almost every day. We have seen documentaries of forests burning or climate catastrophes in Hollywood blockbusters and sadly we have normalised them in a certain way. But there is so much more to unpack.

With 'Black Flowers' I attempt to change the climate change narrative we are used to, providing a new perspective on the issues of the environmental crisis we hear every day. I aim to represent the Earth's suffering, creating an experimental film that doesn’t explain what is happening to the environment but that through the body horror makes the audience feel the oppression we force on our planet.

'Black Flowers' have been filmed following social impact criteria. The filming schedule was organised by location to reduce transportation needs, encouraging cast and crew to travel by train whenever possible. Vegetarian meals were provided on set so to minimise meat consumption and have taken steps to reduce waste throughout the production.