For him, Pride and all that it encompasses is “the ability to step out publicly, be able to represent yourself so that you are being seen in society, to have space and a community that is there for you. Pride is about being able to exist, even politically, or authentically within yourself, and to be able to rock up and celebrate and represent.”
Representation is at the core of all of London’s work. Whether it be spotlighting the experiences of those involved in the ballroom scene as seen in his British Vogue film, or past projects, he sees his role as a director as one of sharing other people’s stories, and does so in ways that are as sensitive as they are beautiful.
“It’s about holding a mirror up to the stories [that reflect what] people are about,” he explains. “I’m motivated by being able to tell those particular stories as thoroughly, viscerally, unapologetically and artistically as possible, in order for those people to feel seen and validated. Of course, it is also about being able to actually solve issues through film empathy, too.” By film empathy, London means encouraging a viewer to put themselves in another person’s shoes. “If I’m able to do that, to get more and more people to feel and have empathy, then that lights my fire.”
