LUX

Viewers can anticipate a highly visual and contemplative experience. Lux is less about a conventional story and more about immersing oneself in the atmosphere of an industrial suburb in flux. The film uses the materiality of 8mm film and the abstract geometry of its subject matter to create a 'seething, pulsating transition.' It's an invitation to observe and reflect on urban change rather than to follow a linear plot.

Lux is not a traditional narrative film with conventional characters. Instead, its focus is on the environment and the abstract shapes found within it. The 'characters,' in a sense, are the L, U, and X forms, and the industrial suburb itself undergoing a dramatic metamorphosis. The film prioritises visual storytelling and thematic exploration over character arcs and plot-driven narratives.

The use of regular 8mm film lends Lux a distinct, almost nostalgic visual texture. This format often imparts a grainier, more intimate feel compared to digital or larger film gauges. In Lux, this choice likely enhances the observational nature of the filmmaking, grounding the abstract exploration of shapes and urban change in a tangible, perhaps even melancholic, aesthetic. It connects the industrial past to the present visually.

The former Lux stove factory serves as the physical and symbolic heart of the film. Its conversion from an industrial site to apartment blocks represents the broader narrative of urban transition. The building itself, with its inherent structures and history, becomes a canvas upon which the film projects themes of obsolescence, reinvention, and the relentless march of development. The factory's metamorphosis mirrors the neighbourhood's own evolution.

The film delves into the complex themes of industrial decline and urban regeneration. It contrasts the 'rise and fall of industry' with the relentless 'rise and rise of apartments.' This juxtaposition highlights the often overwhelming pace of gentrification and the subsequent reshaping of cityscapes. Lux presents this transition as a 'seething, pulsating' force, prompting reflection on the social and physical transformations that occur in such environments.

Lux's central visual conceit revolves around the abstract shapes of L, U, and X, found within the industrial landscape of an inner-urban suburb. These shapes are captured on regular 8mm film, transforming the mundane into a symbolic exploration. The film uses these geometric forms to frame the dramatic transformation of the old Lux stove factory, creating a visual language that underscores the narrative of change and decay.