Natacha Horn Multimedia Artist and Film Director

Belgian-born multi-media multicultural artist, with an Indian Mother born in Africa and a Danish-Belgian father Originally carving out a career as a  journalist, Natacha Horn was keen to find other ways to express her creativity so she began experimenting with digital media.

Her first animated music video for the dance label PIAS, with its distinctive 2-D animation, was quickly noticed by advertising agencies and resulted to creating original work for clients like Nokia, Lanvin, Galliano and Canal + and a leading tv campaign promoting safe sex. She was creative director of the first online magazine for Elle Belgium and later moved to New York as creative director for an online lifestyle magazine. In New York she discovered a passion for directing film after being asked to direct a music video for UK singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram.

She directed two more videos for this artist and corporate work for DeBeers, Clyde & Co., and the United Nations – for whom she did a film about sexual violence. Swing is Natacha's first short film(2018) awarded at the London Independent Film Festival (2018) – Official selection at at the St Louis International Film Festival 2018 -Underwire Festival Special screening #METOO Official selection at the Fast Nest Film Festival (2019) Natacha is also an accomplished painter exhibiting  in Brussels, Paris & Monaco , and is currently working on a new exhibition for 2020.

Tell us about SWING

SWING is an abstract short fiction film written, performed and directed by women.  A collaboration with writer/performers Jenny Kondol and Sarah Xanthe. I met the two actresses in a play written by them which left me very moved (about legalising prostitution in the UK) and it sparked the interest in working with them on a  short film. After a year of discussing various ideas and scripts which were not quite landing where we wanted, so I challenged them to write a script about different abuses based on a concept I had in mind with the  title SWING,-  the rest is history. They developed the script, I worked on the visualisation, sourcing the funding (through Kickstarter), location, materials and film crew. I was delighted awarding-winning cameraman Raul Cadenas de la Vega agreed to shoot the production with me and I was able to use the spectacular Asylum in Peckham as the backdrop. My first production as a film maker premiered at the London Independent Film Festival April 2018 and won Best Newcomer as director for first short film.

Challenges of the film?

Over the past year, abuse allegations have rocked the film and entertainment industries.  This short film tackling abuse is a bold,  abstract, reflective look at the various ways in which abuse can manifest in simple day to day situations.  In past work,  I made a documentary about sexual violence for the U.N and Jenny and Sarah have explored the darker side of sex work, but  through SWING I wanted to uncover abuse that’s perhaps more relatable to the every-day viewer. SWING questions our concept of abuse and challenges the audience to redefine their involvement via seemingly normal interactions. Gender stereotypes are explored and blind gender casting is purposefully adopted in much of the film.  As a predominately female creative team, we advocate for greater female representation in film.  LGBTQ undercurrents represent the sexually diverse reality of life. The ramifications are present in all relationships.Till now the audience reacted as I was expecting.

Greatest Inspirations or Influences?

I believe People are my real inspiration. Every day people, that I observe walking in the city or in public transport, I love to imagine their stories.
I am very much influenced by my travels. Culture, music, colours, words and a smile. I love life and good wine!

What is next for you?

I am working on two different exhibitions with an English Photographer  and another one with my Mother who is 85. 

Anything else?

I hope we will wake up and save our planet for the next generations !!

And thank you for your very special Blog who is very inspiring! ( Thank you so much Natacha).