Refelective Encounters

“Lissi Simpson’s Mexed opens with a quote from Malcolm X which questions how people of colour were taught to hate themselves by society. It’s a powerful starting point for a short film which reflects on the description of Lissi’s hair as ‘frizzy’ and its racist undertones.

Presented as a triptych of three short segments, Mexed questions the way her hair is seen by others and herself. She moves from a rocky landscape to the luscious forest with a rhythmic dance and rap which serves as a channel through which Lissi explores her identity. Her questions are the same asked by generations of people of colour, combining the arts of dance, music, and video to craft a beautiful and unique self-portrait.

Mexed invites us to reflect on the words we use, questioning the beauty standards imposed on women by white society, and learn to appreciate the diversity of our bodies. The portmanteau of the title also proposes the creation of new terms, and the reclamation of those used against people as a form of empowerment. The personal expression and confidence Lissi shows in this film is an inspiration to others who feel judged by society for the way they look.”

— Lillian Crawford