Turning the lens on ENRIQUE LEBRON
ENRIQUE LEBRON IS A HARTFORD-BASED FILMMAKER AND THE OWNER OF RETROSPECTIVE FILMS, A PRODUCTION COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN CREATING VIDEOS FOR NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, SMALL BUSINESSES, AND NATIONAL BRANDS. ALTHOUGH HIS BREAD AND BUTTER IS COMMERCIAL WORK, HIS PASSION LIES IN CAPTURING THE STORIES OF LOCAL ARTISTS THROUGH NARRATIVE FILMS, SHORT DOCUMENTARIES, AND MUSIC VIDEOS. IN THIS INTERVIEW, HE SHARES HOW HE BALANCES HIS PERSONAL AND COMMERCIAL PROJECTS, PREVIEWS HIS UPCOMING FILM "INMATE," AND DISCUSSES HIS CURRENT PROJECT DOCUMENTING THE CREATION OF ONE OF THE LARGEST MURALS IN NEW ENGLAND.
CAFETERIA MEDIA: Many folks in our network know you for the videos you've produced covering artists and underground art projects. but you are also running a production company. Could you share more about Retrospective Films and what you all do there?
ENRIQUE LEBRON: Retrospective Films is a fully operated video production company. Our base clients are typically from the non-profit sector, and small businesses in Hartford, but we also have worked with national brands and corporate companies. I am the sole owner and employee (some would call it a one-man-band), but I also collaborate and hire other creatives depending on what the project calls for. That in a nutshell is my "bread and butter", but my passion as a creative is to document local artists of all genres, as well as cinematography which includes narrative films, short documentaries, and the occasional music video.
CAFETERIA MEDIA: You make both art and community focused films but also create commercial work for clients, what is like for you balancing your more personal and commercial work in your own business?
ENRIQUE LEBRON: Four years ago I quit my full-time career of almost 17 years in the medical field to pursue my passion for cinematography. I have been working very hard to build my business and provide for my family so sometimes it can be very difficult to make time for personal projects, but I try my best to make time when inspired and when I need that creative outlet to release some of that creative energy. It can't all be work.
CAFETERIA MEDIA: You are screening a work called Inmate at Art Manifestation 2023, what can you share to preview the film and what do you hope the impact will be on the audience?
ENRIQUE LEBRON: I'm not sure if "Inmate" will be screened at Art Manifestation 2023 as some things may have changed, but there will be a compilation work that will showcase some of the artists and creatives that I have captured throughout the years. Inmate does hold a special place in my heart as it has been my goal to bring this vision to life. My hope is that it invokes emotions, dialogue amongst people, and opinions (whether good or bad). What's important to me is to create, inspire, and capture people's imaginations.
CAFETERIA MEDIA: What project is next, anything you are willing to share that we'll get to see soon?
ENRIQUE LEBRON: I'm really excited about the current project that I'm working on for RiseUP and artist Michael Rice who is in the process of painting a mural at 50 Morgan street in Downtown Hartford. This will be one of the largest murals in New England. It's awesome working alongside such an amazing artist like Mike, and it's an honor to be able to document his journey through completion.
