Homebody

Filmmaker's note

Homebody is a New York story that reflects universal struggles. On one level, it is about fighting against all odds to keep a beloved home in a city where real estate is king and neighborhoods change in the blink of an eye. On another level, it’s about what home means, how far we will go to defend it, and what we stand to lose. This story was inspired by my personal experiences surrounding years-long legal battles with landlords in Brooklyn—a story that’s familiar to many city-dwellers, and one that is often equal parts sad, enraging, and absurd. In Homebody, I explore all of these emotions through Amaryllis’ tête-à-tête with her equally headstrong landlord.

Tonally, the film rides the line of drama and suspense with a comedic edge. While she is going through the stressful and emotional experience of defending her right to stay in her home, Amaryllis is an artist and her ways of striking back against her landlord are unorthodox. Because the legal route often takes so long and in cities like NYC, housing lawyers are often overburdened, Amaryllis ends up taking matters into her own hands. VHS home video is scattered throughout the film to bring in the tactile quality of memories and the way they are intrinsically tied to a place. Music, editing style, color, and sound design all contribute to the delicate balance of elements that build Homebody’s complex tone. Throughout the process, I aimed to center headstrong, unique female characters and explore a deep relationship that transcends death and permeates a space.