Lamar is a muse for the ages, a lens through which we can explore the love within both our hearts and others'.
Check out the video and photos below.
Hemal Sheth, Iconic Magazines Founder:
What really makes me love print is the whole sense of realness you get. In this age where everything is online and it’s so easy to get distracted, print provides that experience where you can truly immerse yourself in what you’re reading. Ben has been coming to Iconic Magazines for years. His brand Grand Collection is such a great part of the NYC community. We are very excited to be working with them to promote something very important to both of us, which is our love of print.
Ben Oleynik, Grand Collection Founder:
Going to Iconic is such a special New York experience. Stacks and stacks of inspiration. It's a magazine lover's paradise. When I met Hemal, we knew immediately we wanted to do a project to celebrate print together. Then I spoke with Scott at Dover Street and he was excited to partner with me and Hemal on the launch globally. It's really meaningful for someone like Scott to support two small New York brands like Grand and Iconic and help bring what we're doing here to the world.
In a brief interview, Adomako opens up about the new short-film, discussing the process of filmmaking and the inspiration behind it. We think you’ll like this one.
How long have you been working on “PEACE”?
During the height of the pandemic, I spent my time reflecting creatively and that’s how PEACE was written from May through June 2020. We went straight into production in October 2020 and were selected to screen with Outfest fusion x NBC universal in April 2021. Since then we’ve screened at many different film festivals such as OUTFEST LA, NewFest, and American Black film festival (which all have been in partnership with HBO Max/ Warner Media).
What has been the biggest takeaway from developing this story and what should audiences take away from this film?
One thing I have learned throughout the process of creating this film is how real this story is for some as well how unfamiliar this story is to many. I believed that everyone just knew about a life like this that has been lived because I’m no stranger to it. But they don’t- so I’m here to share and begin the conversation. In terms of what my audience should take away, I believe that that’s for them to decide. I understand once I put a body of work together and share it with the world it no longer belongs to me (no matter how hard I fight it). I’m the creator but I fully believe I’m free to think good or bad about my work. Especially since this subject matter is unfortunately foreign to many.
What does peace mean in your eyes?
Right now— stillness amongst the chaos. For everything to silence, and everything to feel whole.
As this short film discusses the complexities of black and brown queer relationships, what inspired you while creating these characters?
These are some of my friends and I experiences. It’s so wild to me how narrow-minded a lot of folks are when it comes to the experiences of people from my community. I originally got into filmmaking to humanize experiences like this and I’m fully committed.
Just from the opening, the scoring was its own highlight in the film. What was the process behind the music and narration?
It was important that the music score brought its own melody to this project. I can say that music is another character in this project simply because of the relationship it has with both Daniel and Leon. Both of these characters work in hip-hop, a genre that's infamous for its oppression of the LGBTQIA+ community and I wanted to explore the depth of these two characters in contrast to what is to believe in this space and what can be challenged in this space.
As your last project, “Dancing in the Dark,” was a documentary, and “PEACE” is a narrative short film— what type of films can we expect from you in the future?
I'm very fluid in the way I can create. I started off in photo work, grew into documentary and now I’m greatly interested in narrative. I understand that there is power in representation and if no one makes room, I just plan to claim my own space and grow from there. I understand how important some of my past projects such as Dancing in the Dark, Aman Love, Fish, and the Sade Tribute video work mean to people. I continue to create for my audience. That’s what birthed "PEACE." That’s why I continue to work. My long-term goal is to continue telling stories of those underserved in popular cinema and television. I’m currently gearing up to create my first feature and am so excited when I can begin to share that with the world.
