A Great Love By Aisha Schliessler

Director's Works

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We’re premiering a new short from filmmaker Aisha Schliessler, a director who’s been quietly carving out a reputation for bold, intimate storytelling. While she’s now gearing up for her first feature, her short work still hits with precision — raw, hypnotic, and impossible to shake. Her latest film zeroes in on Charlie Langton, one of the world’s most sought-after equine sculptors. What could easily have been a niche portrait becomes something far more magnetic: a meditation on obsession, artistry, and the strange, enduring bond between humans and horses. We asked Aisha what first drew her to Charlie as a subject, and her reflections reveal just how deep that connection runs.

In an age of multi-hyphenates, it’s rare to meet someone with a singular creative focus. Few artists dedicate themselves to one craft—fewer still to a single subject. This is what made meeting Charlie Langton so remarkable. For the past twenty years, he has worked as a sculptor, with his focus almost exclusively on one muse: the horse.

This intrigued me and I felt a profound respect—and a certain curiosity—for his steadfast commitment to his inspiration. There was something deeply calming about hearing an artist speak with such enduring wonder for a pursuit that has remained constant over time. Charlie isn’t a jack-of-all-trades — rather, he exemplifies the rare beauty of being a master of one.

On a personal level, Charlie’s work deeply resonated with me as it brought together two passions profoundly rooted in my family. Both my great-grandfather and my grandfather were celebrated sculptors, while my grandmothers shared a deep love for horses, owning and caring for them at various points in their lives. Stepping into Charlie’s studio for the first time felt like a culmination of my family’s interests brought to life. Surrounded by his sculptures, I was struck by the sheer beauty and artistry that filled every corner. I knew I had to capture his work on film and explore the journey that has shaped—and continues to shape—his exceptional career.