Date of Award
5-11-2025
Date Published
6-18-2025
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Film and Media Arts
Advisor(s)
Alex Mendez Giner
Second Advisor
Susannah Sayler
Keywords
Afrofuturism;Afrosurrealism;bitter/sweet;Fantasy;Film;Nightfall
Abstract
Understanding that artists are not obligated to reflect a faithful reality is a realization that is both freeing and intimidating. My graduate filmography is identifiable by its affinity towards fictional narratives that depict the resolution of internal conflicts through intimate relationships and spiritual connections. This thesis investigates my practice by paying close attention to the psychology and philosophy of my screenplays. This is followed by an inspection of my aesthetic approach in order to distinguish their narrative importance and examine subtext. The completed film is then properly defined against the fantasy genre in order to distinguish my narrative choices from the traditional conventions. The remaining points seek to culturally contextualize the observed approaches by placing my films alongside recognized works of speculative fiction and Black art movements. With an examination of artists working within the Afro-surreal, Afro-futurism and independent cinema, we find a proper framework through which my work can be situated.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Hines, Tevvon, "The Known Unknown" (2025). Theses - ALL. 960.
https://surface.syr.edu/thesis/960
Video accompanying the original file. Video runs for 00:06:00.
HinesT2025AppendixB.mp4 (941396 kB)
Video accompanying the original file. Video runs for 00:08:12.
