Artist Q&A
Name: Jamison Rockmore
What do you do for work?
Filmmaker & Gardener; my husband says I need to “get a job.”What is your relationship to cinema?
Cinema celebrates our humanity— it has allowed me to better understand who I am, and made me more empathetic to other people’s stories.
What is the last good movie you watched and where were you when you watched it?
The last “good movies” that came to mind are from the pre-Covid, pre- industry strikes and subsequent Hollywood collapse. [Insert rant about late-capitalism destroying the film industry.] I’m holding out for the indie renaissance, but alas, two screenings from 2018 came to mind:
Climax - Gaspar Noe: Saw this at Arclight (R.I.P.) on a date not knowing anything about the film beforehand. About ten minutes in, it was clear we were on a ride that was going places we could not imagine… Gaspar Noe is a sick fuck but I love it.
Phantom Thread - Paul Thomas Anderson: Okay this one is kinda brag-y but the film screened when I was in school at AFI, and PTA gave an intimate Q&A afterwards. If the movie wasn’t breathtaking enough, Paul is the most humble, low-key brilliant person. Truly an inspiration.
What films have inspired your work and/or your life in general?
Found myself answering this question with four queer-leaning bangers! It’s no surprise these iconic films have inspired my life and work, each for a different reason. I’ve listed them in order of when I saw them (all before film school).
Y Tu Mamá También - Alfonso Cuaron
This movie is a masterclass in the power of cinema. Watching this as a teenager blew me away. The dynamic way Cuaron weaves history and political messaging through a modern coming of age story has been hugely influential in my work. I am still in awe of this film today. Complex, sexy, emotional, and leaves one with profound and lasting thoughts.
My Own Private Idaho - Gus Van Sant
I’m such a fan of GVS. When I saw this film, I realized that making a movie could be like writing poetry. It broke all the rules of commercial filmmaking. The honest depiction of trauma through symbolic visuals resonated with me deeply.
Weekend - Andrew Haig
A really simple film that takes a raw look at intimacy and desire. Weekend perfectly captures the beauty and pain of ephemeral romance. It hammers right to the heart. I’m usually drawn to more over the top and stylized films, but the realness of Weekend disarmed me. I felt immersed in the story, and have since tried to bring that feeling of intimacy to my work.
Serial Mom - John Waters
John Waters is a great example of how far you can take something. His dramatization of domesticity is laugh out loud funny. The only thing more absurd than a John Waters movie is the absurd world that he is satirizing. Coming from a very traditional family, this film strikes close to home for me. Love how campy and relevant it is 30 years after its release.
What film(s) are at the top of your watchlist?
Fallen Angels - Wong Kar Wai
El Topo - Jodorowsky
The Room Next Door - Pedro Almodovar
Thank you for taking the time to talk about films with me, Jamison <3
ig: Jamison Karon