Studio 3531

Show Time
January 21, 2025 @ 6:30pm
United Kingdom
Blowout
In the glamorous yet superficial world of a high-end London hair salon, 21-year-old Lydia, the only Black employee, struggles in her role as the salon’s receptionist. As she navigates feeling invisible, her quiet resolve builds toward a covert act of defiance that reveals the cracks beneath the salon’s polished exterior.
Credits
Director
Writer
Producer
Sienna Jacob
Sienna Jacob
Kaan Cakir
Stephen Withers
Cast
Simi Beckley
Beatrice Alexandra Allen
Director Biography

Sienna Jacob is an Eritrean-American filmmaker based in London, currently completing an MA in Filmmaking at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her graduate film ‘Blowout’ dramatises the struggles of a young woman, Lydia, the only black employee in a high-end London hair salon, as she navigates feeling invisible in the workplace.
Prior to working in film, Sienna completed a BA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography, where her final major project was selected as a highlight of the University of the Arts London 2020 Graduate Show by the Evening Standard. She has also worked as Editor-in-Chief of the first edition of ‘2001 Magazine’, which was profiled by the Columbia Review of Journalism.
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Director Statement
Blowout delves into the nuanced, often overlooked experiences of a young Black woman navigating a hierarchical workspace. Through Lydia’s story, the film examines identity, dignity, and belonging within a rigid professional setting, blending moments of humor with existential questions. My goal was to present an honest portrayal of everyday complexities that often go unseen, challenging stereotypes and sparking reflection on resilience in unjust spaces.