What does it take to achieve and receive unconditional love? That is the question Aliyah Hasinah explores in her docu-short ‘Loving’ – debuted today on Nataal. The London-based director, writer and curator turned to her close friends to create this moving and honest film that unpacks their personal perspectives on love.

“Last year I was reading a lot of bell hooks, June Jordan and watching lots of James Baldwin interviews and I’d been writing a lot about what I was observing amongst my peers in pursuit of living lives where love was centred,” Hasinah explains. “I had conversations with my homies about how we place love in practice, whether it’s familial, romantic, erotic or platonic, and about loving as a verb, meaning we were doing instead of just theorising.”

She continues: “I’m a big believer that we hold the solutions to our problems within our community. And as hippy as it might sound, I believe love is a force so poignant it can heal and resolve many of the ills we face, be they internal or institutional. Black womxn are the best at personifying this. So, I wanted to portray them exhibiting a complexity and variety of emotions all consolidated in their voice noted wisdoms - because they really be dropping gems on the sligh and then going back to live their lives full of love.”

The result of this process is a beautifully soft and intimate film giving us a glimpse of five protagonists - Jae, Sumia, Haja, Tania and Najwa – who, both on-camera and off, delve into the work it takes to keep their hearts open as well as the consequences of choosing not to participate in love. Sumia comments: “Nothing nourishes me or my favourite people in the same way as intentional love does, especially when the outside world doesn’t deem them worthy of care or compassion.” Najwa sagely adds: “The love that we give ourselves and the love we experience from our others should make us feel free.”

Hasinah’s inspiring and multidisciplinary output focusses on honouring global and historical knowledge production and opening up possibilities for Black and emerging creatives in the UK and Caribbean. Some of her recent projects include Decolonising the Curatorial research project in Barbados, Brazil and New York, BASS Festival 2019, ‘The Past Is Now’ exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, taking part in the Apples and Snakes Poetic Theatre Makers Programme and a commission for Channel 4’s Random Acts.

‘Loving’ has been brought to life by SLOGHouse, Caleb Femi’s new film production company that creates space for Black creatives to develop and make work that is true to them. Hasinah credits Femi for commissioning this piece and pushing her to follow her passion. “My route into filmmaking has been one of embracing my vulnerability and accepting it’s a long process. My skill might not match my taste from the jump but without trying it’s a dub. I have to thank Caleb for reaching out with the mindset of ‘Don’t overthink it, just play and say what you want to say’ and my producer Weyland for continuing to push me out of my comfort zone and into action.”

As for what the viewer of ‘Loving’ will take away from it, her wishes are true and simple: “In a culture where love is viewed like fast food or the reward for narcissism, I wanted ‘Loving’ to be an exercise in feeling and healing. Whether it’s a cringe, a tear, a gasp, a ‘ewwww’ or a ‘word word word’, I want the audience to feel and ask why they feel what they feel. My hope is that someone, if only for 10 seconds, feels seen and loved by seeing womxn speak their truths.”

Listen to a special playlist dedicated to Loving on Spotify here.