video premiere: black queer intimacy & struggles radiate in singer cor.ece’s stunning new visuals

Produced by artist Mickalene Thomas, “Between Something And Nothing” by Cor.Ece is an intensely visceral musical short that bravely explores desire, identity, and cultural acceptance. Shot in black and white, the minimalist yet strong visual language of the film draws attention to the poeticism of Cor.Ece’s lyrics and the physical closeness depicted on screen. It is here, in this safe space, where two men are free to explore physical closeness and emotional intimacy in a judgment-free space. Written, directed, and produced by Cor.Ece’s himself, the two-part visual also features the likes of performance artists Jarrett Key and Cuban-born Carlos Martiel.

COR.ECE tells AFROPUNK: “I created Between Something and Nothing shortly after a breakup that had me feeling heavy. In order to not be too weighed down, or become undone, I started to explore the importance of touch and closeness in other works just to see what was being talked about. I was reminded how patriarchy still dictates this overly codified set of ideas on how men should interact; how we can’t comfort or embrace each other. I was fired up to create something that confronts this played out masculinity-myopia. I did that by simply affirming my own experiences with black male intimacy in this piece. A notion that has never been more beautiful—and urgent to talk about in this moment. Through these characters, we get to experience black men just being with each other, while locating—and sharing –a visual and unspoken language on screen, a language that is rooted in conflict, emotional resonance, and safety.”
The “Between Something And Nothing” musical short features two songs, available here: ‘Console My Soul’ and ‘Down On My Luck’ (a Vic Mensa cover). Watch it below:

Photo By Jalese Ayana; Clothing by Installation Brooklyn; Glasses by TNEMNRODA