Athena Vlahos

I’m a filmmaker who grew up in a lodge in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, surrounded by wildlife and creativity for most of my upbringing. Film and music have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, so after high school I headed to Los Angeles to study acting and film. I adore music, animals, and travelling, often finding myself on an adventure.

Q: WHAT WAS YOUR ROUTE TO YOUR CURRENT ARTISTIC PRACTICE?

I was born and raised loving art and chose to dedicate my career towards it despite its difficulties. I grew up around music, dance and theatre at home in Zambia, and my parents have always been incredibly supportive, telling me to write my own films and make my own art instead of waiting for someone to do it for me. I’d film every adventure I went on and edited the footage into exciting sequences. I also produced a documentary style film on the wildlife in Serengeti National park when I was 16. In the last two years of high school, I started a theatre program for local orphanages. Every week the children would join me at my school theatre and we performed short plays or wrote scripts together. The fire and talent in many of those children was inspiring. The last two years have been the most defining in my filmmaking. After spending so much time at home last year (as many of us did), I delved fully into producing and pursuing the films I want to make, focusing on Zambian stories.

Q: CAN YOU IDENTIFY ANY ELEMENTS OF YOUR COMMUNITY OR COLLABORATORS THAT HAVE HAD A STRONG INFLUENCE?

The fact that Circus Zambia fought the stigma and challenges of growing up in Chibolya – a township notorious for drugs and violence- was inspiring to me. Through self-teaching and teaching each other, they provide opportunities for disadvantaged people to rise up and become change makers.
The company highlights the importance of keeping one’s mind and body strong, and to fulfil one’s aspirations despite their background. Also… everyone just radiates beauty and kindness and strength!!! How could that not influence me to make a film about them!!! 🙂

Q: HOW IS YOUR PROJECT TIED TO THE CIRCA X DAZED CLASS OF 20:21 THEME OF ‘COMMUNION’?

Circus Zambia wouldn’t exist without togetherness. Physically, they need each other to perform their stunts. But deeper than that, they’ve built a bond between each other that keeps them going strong in their art despite differences. Every shot in the film screams balance and affinity for each other and for performing.

Q: HOW WOULD THE CIRCA PRIZE OF £30,000 IMPACT YOUR FUTURE PRACTICE?

It would allow me to fund my future project which is a film focusing on the AIDS epidemic in Zambia and how it affected music (specifically the unheard stories of the Zamrock scene) and relationships in the 80s. It celebrates black history, music, life and love.

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