The film presents the conflicts of a black couple from the interference and consequences of racial prejudice
Rapper Zudizilla releases this Friday 28, a short film that closes the cycle of his second album, “Zulu Vol. 2: From Caesar to Christ”, released last year. The artist from Pelotas (RS) has in the film “From Cesar to Christ”, on his YouTube channel, also pave the way for the great latest manifesto, as he usually calls “Zulu Vol. 3: fourth wall”, his next work out by the end of the year.
“The idea of releasing the short film is to close the cycle of the second volume and also help to understand all the subjectivities of this second album, which seems to be easier to absorb than its predecessor, but with several hidden layers. I think it will shed some light on some issues about the poetics of the record, as well as other issues,” explains the rapper.
Shot in black and white, the film is just over six minutes long and features singer-songwriter Luedji Luna and Zudizilla himself, who blends into his character created for his album series, Zulu. Among the numerous cinematographic references that have shaped his artistic and personal construction, the short draws on the visual and narrative source of “Malcom & Marie” (Sam Levinson). “In this film I also highlight the tension between a couple, which in this case is due to the fact that the Zulu character is, again, having one of his tantrums while his partner relaxes, because she obviously doesn’t have to dealing with her spouse issues.”, she comments.
It is about love, but it also carries with its strokes the interference of structural racism within this and any other universe that a person of color faces in their daily life, from the beginning to the end of their life. The song “Afortunado”, which opens the album, is also the starting point of this narration which begins with a phone call from the mother of the Zulu character, who, in her old age, cannot stop working for others, much less have a well-deserved break at the end of the year. Then comes the whim of the protagonist with this condition, so common in Brazil, especially among blacks.
“From Caesar to Christ is just this: the limit that will make you loved like Christ or voracious like Caesar. Regardless of your choice, if you are black, you must strike a balance between the two or choose one of the positions that bring you to power so that it solves the individual’s inherent problems so that it does not interfere with black existence, i.e., in so that it exists on this side of racism instead of moving only when cornered by the oppressor,” reflects Zudizilla. “Racial prejudice shapes character and interferes with the smallest actions of the sufferer, making the act of loving a political project since it is very difficult to be with someone who is “broken” by society,” she adds.
Much like the album, the film — which is directed by Marcelo Alves and Diogo Comum — is fundamentally about the strain that racism puts on people of color and who therefore have a hard time having simple experiences, like love, for example. “He and, right now, I, Zudi, mix with my character. Now we can have wonderful experiences and financial security, but racism has turned him into a protagonist who seeks power at all costs to ease some pain and the way to seek is through love or hate, cross or sword , Caesar or Christ”, he concludes.
Watch the short Here.
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
