Narcissister is a Brooklyn-based artist and performer who works at the intersection of dance, art, and activism in a range of media including video art and experimental music. She won Best Use of a Sex Toy at The Good Vibrations Erotic Film Festival, a Bessie Award nomination for the theatrical performance of “Organ Player,” and — interested in troubling the popular entertainment and experimental art divide — appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”
“Narcissister Organ Player” premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival on January 19.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
N: “Narcissister Organ Player” is a hybrid documentary/performance film about how my complex family history — in particular my relationship with my mother — compelled me to create the masked, erotic character Narcissister.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
N: The impetus to make the film emerged naturally out of my own process of dealing with grief and bewilderment over my mom’s death.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
N: I would be honored if the film compels people to reflect on their own experiences of loss and grief, and perhaps to think about their parents and to honor them in ways big and small whether they are still alive or not.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
N: The sheer amount of hours involved in making a feature length film. As a visual artist, this has been totally new territory to me.
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
N: I received grants from Creative Capital, the Theo Westenberger Estate, United States Artists, and I self-funded it with my performance gigs.
W&H: What does it mean for you to have your film play at Sundance?
N: I am totally honored and grateful. Very validating. Very exciting!
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
N: Best advice: to conduct test screenings of my film, which I did. They were challenging but extremely helpful.
Worst advice: to take the “poop scene” out of my film, which I certainly did not do!
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
N: “The Gleaners & I” by Agnès Varda. I love the rumination on aging as she films her own aging hands whilst in a car, scenery rushing past.
W&H: Hollywood is in the midst of undergoing a major transformation. Many women and some men in the industry are speaking publicly about their experiences of being assaulted and harassed. What do you think of the recently announced anti-sexual harassment Commission made up of industry leaders? Do you believe that it will help make systemic change? What do you think needs to be done to address this issue?
N: I think these developments are righteous and represent activism achieving real results, which as all activists know is not often the case. I say bravo!
