He Likens You to an Angel That Falls on Earth chronicles my interracial same-sex relationship with my boyfriend. Combining documentary and tableaux imagery, I demonstrate spontaneous and performative aspects of an inherently meaningful relationship.

Interracial relationships are not uncommon, especially within the queer community. In B. Ruby Rich’s essay When Difference Is (More Than) Skin Deep, she states that “Much attention has been paid [...] to racism at institutional and interpersonal levels, but very little attention to the still surviving attractions that cut across race differences.” Although differences in race, language, and beliefs pose unique challenges, shared homosexuality and love sustain my relationship. With race and sexuality being the two important topics of today’s politics, I introduce love as a third, higher dimension, complicating the discussion. I respond to this notion by creating images that are filled with love, whether spontaneous moments of daily life or staged performances. By intertwining the two, the project explores the nuances of love as both a natural and learned act. At times, masking, role-playing, or even learning to recite love quotes can help cement a bond.

Integrating my skills as both a writer and a filmmaker, I present this project through a video framed by a poem from which the project’s title is derived. This poem captures the playful yet loving essence of our first date, reflecting the overall mood of the images. In doing so, I celebrate the dual transgression of interracial homosexuality, underscoring the transformative power of love.