Filmmaker Statement

Dalila's Salon is my first short film created post-graduation as well as the first time I have fully funded a project of this capacity and scale. This film is inspired by Antonia, the woman who used to cut my hair up until her recent retirement. I would follow her wherever she would go from swap meets to salons to her apartment. Nobody cut my hair the way I liked except for her. Each visit felt like an escape from the weight of the world. It felt that each haircut was a visit to see a family member and each time I left I felt rejuvenated with a newfound confidence in myself. This film aims to capture the stress of a bad hair day contrasted with the warmth and love a salon/barber shop can offer. A testament to their role in building community and character.