Meet André La’Fleur | Producer, Director, Writer, and Rapper

We had the good fortune of connecting with André La’Fleur and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi André, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
I say a few phrases to myself daily to maintain my focus and dedication. I have found that keeping my mindset strong can be challenging, at least for me, without great effort. Before I leave for the day to face the journey of the oncoming day, I regularly will say something like “Maximum Effort,” which I adopted from watching Deadpool leap off a bridge into guaranteed pain and triumph. That moment inspired me as cinema often does. I’ll also often tell myself “Ganbatte,” which makes me feel like I have my own back in the face of a challenge. Affirmations are like boons of inner strength, protection, and self-acceptance. They’re there to help but only if I ask for them – so I ask often.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The path to where I am today is riddled with treacherous pits and warning signs, and yet each pit I met face first and all the wiser for it. I try to take my challenges one bite at a time. One day at a time. I remind myself often that life isn’t a race. I try to remember the intrinsic value I hold in my art and it fills me with dedication enough for a day. One day at a time.

I think what sets me apart is my willingness to dive into my imagination. I love stories, and more than anything I love human stories that reflect life, but to have fun telling these stories, I tend to add a lot of my fantasy to the real. I don’t think my fantasy is more vibrant or profound than any other, but coupled with my unique background, influences, and worldview, I’m left with a great cocktail for creation. Whether through my films or my music as mmoondoggie, I explore what it means to be the Supernatural Punk Sci-fi Chimera that I am.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I haven’t been to many places in the city; not enough to recommend anywhere. I love Little Tokyo personally. I lived in Yokosuka, Japan for 4 years while I was serving there in the Navy. The experience was spirit-enhancing and since returning Stateside, I often find myself feeling spiritually displaced. Little Tokyo is where I go to be able to connect to a slice of Japan’s food and cultural atmosphere when I’m at my most nostalgic.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I don’t have many living heroes, ones that shaped my life in a corporeal sense. My heroes are more often ideas or people from the past who have inspired me. I’d say my one true hero in my life is my mother, Harmony Dawn La’Fleur. Harmony Dawn is a brilliant, headstrong woman of great compassion and great resilience, who would move mountains for her loved ones to have a valley to call home. I watched her navigate life with strength and grace and learned everything I could about what it takes to take on the world. I dedicate my shoutout to her.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/with_mmoondoggie/

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mmoondoggie

Image Credits
Photo by Omarion Williams @ omarionwilliams_

Film Stills from “Merry Christmas, Mikayla”
directed by André La’Fleur
Cinematography by Sylvia Li @ sylvia.cinema