João Dall’Stella's Seven "Hot Ways To Die"

Hot Ways To Die is not for the faint of heart. The series combines horror, seduction, and macabre to create a unique, exciting, and captivating visual experience. Dall’Stella doesn't hold back in his exploration of the sexy and dark side of Halloween, and his work is not easily forgotten.

With cinematography by Leo Purman and production design by Samuel Keamy-Minor, the Hot Ways To Die series is made up of seven moving images, which are in the following order: Through A Hole, Dropping the Towel, Smiling, In the Steam Room, During Climax, Getting Eaten Alive and In the Shower.

The series is visually stunning and each short film is a work of art in itself. Dall’Stella creates a juxtaposition of visually stimulating images, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, engrossed in a rollercoaster of emotions.

“For years, I was afraid of being queer and coming out of the closet, it took me a while to realize that living authentically means letting go of that fear. It's similar to watching a scary movie – when you face your fear, there's a sense of relief and excitement about what's next.” Dall’Stella said and added “Embrace your true darkness, as queer people, we fight a constant battle every day of our lives. “I want everyone to know how powerful they are and that being ourselves authentically is the most important thing in our lives.”

The mind behind the seven shorts is João Dall’Stella, a Brazilian writer and director who currently resides in Los Angeles and exhibits a remarkable talent for crafting intricate cinematic narratives. One of his greatest achievements is the award-winning short film "Día de las Carpas", which won the prestigious DGA Grand Prize for Latino Directors. This film has appeared on the stages of prestigious festivals and exhibitions, including CAA Moebius, SAG-AFTRA Foundation events, and Oscar-qualifying film festivals. Additionally, his short film "Stalls'' has had a significant impact, appearing at over 50 LGBTQ+ festivals around the world, most notably at OUTFEST 2020.

So, if costumes are not enough for you this season, this queer bet from Dall’Stella will surely meet your expectations. So prepare to be disturbed and seduced by the spooky world he presents.

Culture

So Far So Good

April 26, 2024

Nolan Zangas’ first solo book So Far So Good, published by Blurring Books, unveils 160 pages of unreleased personal work spanning the last five years of living in New York City. Growing up running around the city's streets, capturing candid moments on disposable cameras during his youth, Nolan's desire to concretize his memories has blossomed into a burgeoning career. This project stands apart his expansive body of work as a diaristic exploration of young adulthood, delving into the intersection of beauty and pain, and navigating "the fine line between success and failure" amidst the perpetual motion of a city like New York. So Far So Good shines a light on people and moments that shape its identity yet are often overlooked.

“In the spirit of La Haine as Vinz describes the man who falls from a skyscraper reassuring himself: ‘So far, so good...so far, so good’ on the way down,” the book serves as a tangible reminder that in life ‘It’s not how you fall that matters. It’s how you land.’”

Ahead of the launch at earshot.nyc tomorrow, we caught up with Nolan over email to talk about his selection process, the genesis of his artform, and why he doesn't post everything on Instagram.

Interview Sahir Ahmed
Photography Nolan Zangas

How did you select what made it into the book?
My process is very physical. I hand print my images in a darkroom. I start by making a contact sheet. If I like the images on the contact sheet, I often cut them out and glue them into a notebook. Then I go back and print the images I like. Sometimes im in the darkroom like 30 hours in a week.
How many did you have to sort through?
It’s so hard to say. Easily over 100,000 frames. I made over 1,000 prints and most of them did not make the cut.
A book can act almost like an artifact, in that when you’re picking it up, it exists in that moment — whether that’s the day after it launches or five years from then. Did that come to mind and was there a specific thread you followed to ensure that timelessness?
I think that’s what makes books so important. I collect a lot of books. Images now feel so disposable, and I really like physical things. I think the selection of images are feel timeless, and the layout adds a bit of character to it all.
Not every upbringing is the same and as someone who also grew up in NYC, coming of age here is very different from any other place — at what point in your adolescence did you decide to start documenting your life and the people around you?
I started taking pictures of my friends on disposables around the age of 12. I lost or never picked up any of the negatives and the files are long gone. That really upsets me, and I think that made me want to take a lot more pictures as I got older. Around 18 is when I really started taking pictures of my life and things around me. I wanted to be able to look back at it all one day. I also think I’ve been surrounded with such diverse people. I think everyone deserves to have their picture taken.

How do you know when you’ve found a good picture?
There are a bunch of technical aspects that go into a good picture but I feel like for this project that stuff matters less. If it’s a good moment, and the picture makes me feel like I’m there, it’s a good picture.
The title is self-explanatory in context but I’m curious to know what led you to pick So Far So Good as the book's title.
Pretty early on in the process of making a layout actually. I think one of my friends said “so far so good” in conversation, and I instantly thought about the scene in La Haine where they talk about falling from a building. Then in my head I was like, holy shit thats the name right there”. It’s like, how far can you stretch a rubber band before it snaps. It felt really fitting to that point in my life and the book as a whole. A lot of good and a lot of bad around me.
Creating anything is an act of giving. How do you hope people, and those featured in its pages, receive the book?
I think it’s going to be cool for people who are in it because most of them don’t even know the pictures exist. I haven’t really been sending or showing anyone pictures because then they just end up on Instagram and in my head thats basically the trash can. I think some people won’t get it and others will. I don’t really mind. Everyone grew up doing different things.

Culture

I Only Came For the Parties

Between Rihanna and A$AP Rocky surprise appearance to the open bars, food trucks, and dance floors, the party was wild. As I arrived at the ranch, I was immediately met with a friend of mine running up to me saying, “Pookie and Jett are here. We NEED to party with them.” We began the hunt after stopping by the Passes.com table for some cotton candy. With a wrist full of stacked bands on one arm and a drink in my other, I hurried past Justin and Hailey Bieber before reaching the packed dance floor. It must’ve been close to sunrise when I finally came to and headed for the exit. Walking out, I ran into my friends who told me they just drove in from LA and NYC just for the party. This being my 10th Coachella, I'd probably stay home next year if it weren’t for this party.

Culture

Celebrating Earth Day w/ Nike x office

No Earth Day celebration is complete without action, so here are 10 local NYC-based initiatives you can get involved in to preserve the planet we all share.

Join a community garden: NYC has many community gardens (Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Queens Botanic Garden, The High Line) that offer volunteer opportunities and workshops on sustainable gardening practices.
Volunteer with NYC Parks: The NYC Parks Department offers various volunteer programs, including tree planting, cleanups, and habitat restoration.
Participate in beach cleanups: Organizations like the Surfrider Foundation and the NYC Parks Department organize regular beach cleanups in NYC's coastal areas.
Get involved with local environmental groups: Groups like the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, and the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance offer various volunteer opportunities and campaigns.
Take part in citizen science projects: Organizations like the NYC Audubon Society and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offer citizen science projects that allow individuals to contribute to environmental research.
Join a local recycling program: NYC's Department of Sanitation offers various recycling programs, including organics collection and textile recycling.
Support local sustainable businesses: Choose to shop at local businesses that prioritize sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. (Here's a great resource for finding them)
Advocate for environmental policy change: Contact local representatives and participate in advocacy campaigns with organizations like the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance.
Participate in park cleanups: Organizations like the Central Park Conservancy and the Prospect Park Alliance offer regular cleanup events.
Join a local environmental activism group: Groups like Extinction Rebellion NYC and the Sunrise Movement NYC offer opportunities for individuals to get involved in environmental activism and advocacy.

Sign up for our newsletter

João Dall’Stella's Seven "Hot Ways To Die"

Recommended articles

Uncommon Boundaries

Travis Scott's Funky Hybrid Strain

Adomako Aman's Moment of "PEACE"

So Far So Good

Recommended articles

Buy A Bag, Feed She Who Carries The Burden

Red in the Sky for Refugees

It’s a Life Supreme: Ghetto Gastro

I Only Came For the Parties

Recommended articles

Wes Knoll's Rite of Passage

Adomako Aman's Moment of "PEACE"

BLACK FRIDAY

Celebrating Earth Day w/ Nike x office

Recommended articles

Cash App is Helping Artists Own Their Art

Closet Sales are Just Parties Now

The Whitney Review Dares, Delights, and Surprises in Second Issue

Confirm your age