We Exist Triply

We Exist Triply explores the director’s family history told from the perspective of a sock puppet; their knowledge limited by migration patterns and the premature deaths of their grandparents. The film examines heartwarming stories from three different families colliding in the cultural melting pot of London through a collage of different moving and still images, varying from old film pictures found around the house to lovingly filmed moments of nature from the heart of the mountains of Galicia.

  • AJ Layla
    Director
  • AJ Layla
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 36 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 12, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    100 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, MOV, H.264
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of East London
Director Biography - AJ Layla

AJ Layla (they/she/he) is an emerging filmmaker and writer from East London, who has a strong focus on themes of identity, transformation and overcoming, particularly through the lens of marginalised communities. During their BA in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, they became a published writer in poetry anthologies and zines. Falling in love with scriptwriting, they went on to complete an MA in Directing for Screen and Stage. They are the writer-director of the short films A Watermelon Goes On An Adventure and We Exist Triply, the writer of short film Solus and stage play Violetta’s Diary. After taking a keen interest in production sound too, they are also the sound designer for Glory Days and No Choice.

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Director Statement

Ever since I could remember, I’ve been interested in the stories of my family. Whether it was listening to my mother share memories of my grandmother over dandelions we had
picked, or overhearing my dad tell tales from his life to mates at the pub. As I grew older and more conscious of where me and my family came from, this interest only deepened. In many ways, this film is an ode to those who came before me, and the ache I feel in my heart for them. I hope to some day more extensively document my family history, whether that be through film or otherwise. To me, the stories of the ordinary are the most extraordinary.

This is the first film I’ve worked on where I was the sole crew member, and the second film I have ever directed. Having sole authorship of the film created interesting hurdles - thoughts of perspective and bias, instincts working hard to overcome doubt, and sewing a sock puppet. I certainly learned a lot. I am incredibly proud of the world I built in We Exist Triply, both from existing material and from gaps in my knowledge. Going forward, I want to continue to push the boundaries visually with my art in order to examine politics, identity, transformation and evolution in abstract ways, even in my narrative films.