Radical Commitment

Thomas Lélu is a real Parisian. His last novel is even called 'Le Parisien'. It seems that the writer, artist, photographer, art director and now also filmmaker never gets bored of the city. Thomas started off as a graphic designer, soon published his first books and exhibited his art works in iconic places such as the Palais de Tokyo, Fondation Cartier or Musée de l’art moderne. He was also the art director of Citizen K and the French Playboy, for which he hired Karl Lagerfeld as a photographer and put Juliette Binoche on the cover. Despite all his accomplishments Thomas realized that his key to success are the brilliant „ideas of others“. His work is all about collaborations and when asked about the most avant-garde person in Paris he chose Léo Hinstin without hesitation. They worked together on Thomas first short film and have become very close friends since.

This year Léo was in charge of camera and lighting for the movie „Nana“ by Valerie Massadian, which won the Best Debut Award in Locarno. The mood and camera work in the documentary on Yves Saint Laurent 'L’amour Fou' also bears the signature of Léo Histin. Using old techniques in an avant-garde way and playing with colors and lights are typical for his work. In Louis Garrel’s short film, he reinvented black and white aesthetics in a very modern way. Fashion photography icons such as Inez van Lamsweerde and Ezra Petrionio appreciate his camera work as much as artists Cyprien Gaillard and Lauret Grasso, who won the 'prix Marcel Duchamp' with 'psychokinesis' – a collaboration with Léo.

Find out more about Thomas Lelu's work and current projects of Léo Hinstin's.

Production Katharina Kowalewski / Filming & Photos Léo Histin / Editing KO Fashion / Music BUNNYSTRIPES