The idea for what eventually became OLIVE., the fifth installment of ANDRE BATO, LLC’s Artist Series, sparked from a conversation I had with Leslie Puett (@gnarcissist) back in Paris, June 2018. An advocate for all things sociopolitical, and an avid lover of violent imagery, Puett advised I document a woman who’s profession revolves around themes of sexuality and arousal. We spoke strippers and stripclubs, the weird dynamic and back and forth between objectification and empowerment that dancers undergo on a daily, or rather, nightly, basis. Full disclosure, I left our conversation doubting I’d ever follow through with the piece - not because the theme didn’t sound enticing, but rather because a film of that nature deserves the right lens and the right voice, one that wouldn't be altered by my own perspective as storyteller. I didn’t want, what would eventually become OLIVE. to be a biased portrayal of a world I knew little about.
The conversation, however, always stuck with me, and after one convincing phone call with AB, LLC’s Nathan Bouton (@nathan_bouton), we started doing research on the adult film industry. Olive Glass was the first adult actress we spoke to, she had a bright voice and personality to match, she was ethereal and weirdly bubbly. She told us how she interested she was in the project because she plans to become a film director herself. During our first conference call, Olive told us how she grew up in an FLDS commune where she often felt restricted to express herself and be creative. After running away from the Mormon homestead she joined a metal band as a drummer and eventually moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in pornorgraphy. I recall she ended the phone interview with “I do Porn now, and I absolutely love it”.
Ultimately, and regardless of stigma and judgement, OLIVE. is a story of self discovery - one of an individual in pursuit of their own creative and personal freedom.
I would like to thank Olive Glass and the team for allowing me to make this short film. One that I hope inspires you to pursue and achieve your personal creative freedom, regardless of what others may say or think.
A film by: @andrebato
DP: @davidtokolo
Story by: @andrebato @nathan_bouton
Art Direction: @jnmarks
Producer: @maximiliankurzweil
Production Assistant: @pdobs
Sound: Jose
Sound Mix: @partbirk
Color: @reasonstudio.co
A ANDRE BATO, LLC production
This film is dedicated to @gnarcissit