Without meaning to reveal how green I feel writing about film since my writing background stems from comparative literature, poetry, short stories, and essays, to writing for editorial fashion and travel, I had no acknowledgment whatsoever about all the different film festivals going on right under my NYC nose. A fellow writer showed lots of love and has been sending me tons of information about future events including this very festival. If you are reading this, thank you for the millionth time.
So how did I attract the wonderful experience of being front and center at some of the best feature films and documentaries ever? The process was actually pretty simple. I was sent the email link with basic information about the festival which also included the website. I went on and clicked the tab that said PRESS in which a name and email address was provided. I sent in a charming letter of interest that included all of my writing credentials, such as, what publication I write for and which films I planned to cover at the festival and why. I don’t remember how long it took to get a response but I do remember it was pretty quick to receive my press pass. When I did, I was happy as a clown! Yay, my first film festival.
Initially, I didn’t know The Athena Film Festival launched in 2009 and is a collaboration of women and diversity in film from all of the world. It was held at Barnard College and Columbia, which I was excited about because I graduated from Wells College, a fellow women’s school located upstate, so I felt a kindred connection to the whole event in some way. I was so proud to be a part of an entire festival dedicated to celebrating the greatness of women in film and as a writer currently working on a script for my very first online series for my YouTube Channel ScorpioSunScorpioMoon, I was and still am so inspired by every film and documentary I saw. I also was so taken just listening to the filmmakers talk about their process in making their movies come to life. The festival had such a great line up that it was super difficult to choose one documentary over another, I finally narrowed it down to two feature films and three documentaries. Since the website had the full lineup, I wrote down all the films I was interested in by title and short description. I so badly wanted to do everything including attending the shorts and participating in workshops and lectures but I was on a super tight schedule and working on very little sleep.
Opening night, I received my pass and my purple pamphlet that contained everything about the festival. The following are the films and documentaries I saw.
The first film was called “I Am Somebody’s Child: The Regina Louise Story.” This is the true story of a young African American girl named Regina Louise (Angela Fairley) who was disowned by both parents by the time she was 13. Her mother, who was a teen mom, stated that she didn’t want to keep paying for a mistake she made years ago. Her father, whom she lived with after her mother kicked her out, labeled her as out of control because she was always fighting with his new wife. He made it clear he didn’t want her around his family and eventually asked her to leave his home. With nowhere to go, Regina gets taken to a youth home where she meets and becomes attached to one of the counselors named Jeanne Kerr (Ginnifer Goodwin). Jeanne, a white woman, takes a liking to Regina but she is quickly warned by her boss Gwen “Miss Ford” (Kim Hawthorne) to remain professional and not get too attached. Because Regina was a ward of the state, she was allowed to be placed with foster parents and be adopted.
Regina was sent to many foster homes that ultimately never worked out because the families preferred young children or Regina would act out and they would send her back. Not having anyone truly show care for her, she always felt alone and responded defensively towards others. Throughout her stay at the youth home, she and Jeanne spent a lot of time together. Jeanne taught her how to swim, sew, and encouraged her to read more through learning words in the dictionary. Jeanne often invited her to her home for the holidays because she had nowhere else to go. Over time, they became super close like a mother and daughter. After Jeanne’s refusal to terminate the relationship with Regina and then suggesting to Miss Ford that she herself wanted to adopt her, there was backlash and eventually, her shifts were switched so she wouldn’t have contact with Regina any longer. When Regina started to act out, she was then sent to a different center with psychiatric supervision where she was heavily medicated and treated horribly. Jeanne pushed the adoption issue and when they finally arrived in court, the judge and Miss Ford both agreed that a white woman was not fit to raise a black child. Her adoption was denied and they were separated and never had contact until over 25 years later when Jeanne finally found her and legally adopted her.
What I loved most about this film was the story itself. It opened up so many intricate discussions concerning race, the foster care system and defining what family is. As I sat in the theater waiting for the next screening, an African American woman and I discussed in depth what we thought about the movie. I felt race issues played a prominent part in the film but it really didn’t get as deep as I would have liked. As most films concerning race, especially African Americans being adopted or raised by white families, there seemed to be a glossed over conversation; like the big elephant in the room. Almost as if there is a need to make light of it when it is much more serious than portrayed. During the court scene, there is a comment made about whites not being able to properly care for a black child and adopting one would be like committing genocide to the black race. This was interesting because this comment pierced through so many people in the room. There were tears and angry sounds throughout the film and at the end, at the Q&A, a white man boldly asked the panel if they felt that was the truth. The response is something I expected but personally was very disappointed it wasn’t addressed as truthfully and deeply as it would have been had it been a room full of African Americans having that same conversation. Sherri Saum, who plays the adult Regina Louis in the film, responded that “there are things as a black girl that you want to teach and make sure it’s instilled in her, but at the end of the day you want love.”
The movie is definitely one you want to see. It was emotional, educational and inspiring. The cast did a great job, the story was solid and the only thing I felt cheated out of was a real conversation on race. I did honestly feel like they could have been more raw and honest.
“Dykes, Camera, Action”
This is such a fun documentary to watch. It is funny, entertaining and informative. Lesbian filmmakers share stories on how they identified and expressed their sexuality through film in a time when there weren’t many movies with lesbian themes. It features filmmakers Desiree Akhaven, Sara Schulman, Barbara Hammer, Cheryl Dunye, B. Ruby Rich, and Yoruba Richen just to name a few, who discuss their experiences in filmmaking and talk about the different ways in which the lesbian community is depicted on screen, especially when directed by men. What I also thought was important was the topic of the many ways lesbians are completely invisible when it comes to seeing them in movies, as if the relationship doesn’t exist.
Director Caroline Berler stated in the Q&A that her inspiration came from growing up and not knowing any gay adults. Through watching these films she felt she could actually be someone, move to a new city and find a girlfriend just like in the movies. She also stated that while she doesn’t mind seeing straight people portray gay characters in film, “it’s super important to have gay actors play gay roles.” This is such a great documentary, I enjoyed each filmmaker’s commentary about their childhood from discovering and accepting their sexuality to coming out. Definitely a must see!
“Nothing Without Us: Women Who Will End AIDS”
This is such a great documentary because it takes on a much-needed conversation surrounding the invisibility of women’s health issues and treatment when it comes to AIDS. The documentary follows women worldwide from the United States to Africa who have been fighting to change laws regarding women receiving health care benefits and treatments for this disease. Katrina Haslip, diagnosed while an inmate at Bedford Correctional Facility became a strong advocate for women with HIV/AIDS. She studied law while in prison and challenged the state to change their laws regarding recognizing women with AIDS and treating them. The government law actually prevented women from getting treatment, making it limited to men based on the fact that the symptoms in women didn’t match their definition of what AIDS was, which was based on gay white males. Because of this, women were not getting diagnosed earlier, leaving them vulnerable to spreading the disease. Also, if a hospital or clinic even thought you may be infected, they would not take you in.
Meanwhile, in Burundi, Africa, the AIDS virus was spreading like wildfire, killing more people than ever. In 1999, AIDS was said to be the number one killer, now how it got to Burundi in the first place is a whole other conversation which the director couldn’t answer. Many women were starting to be vocal about receiving testing and treatment like AZT Medication, which reduces the chances of an unborn child contracting the disease. However, getting access to medications is nearly impossible. Children with the virus are often denied access to education so much that there are special youth camps created for those living with AIDS where they are taught about sexuality and how to stay safe.
This documentary is one you have to see, it touches on so many important issues about HIV/AIDS including the healthcare system and how women were treated when it came to government help and support. I asked filmmaker Harriet Hirshorn during the Q&A, what was the support that she had from the men? How did they respond and did she get a lot of support from them? I asked because during the documentary I saw no men coming out to be vocal and support the women in any way to receive equal rights. She responded jokingly, “If you look carefully they are in there. Good question, all of the volunteers were women, the men were pretty quiet.” What a shame that is.
“This is Personal”
This story follows two young activists, Tamika Mallory and Erika Andiola, not only through their lives as advocates fighting for issues that affect their communities but their involvement in the 2016 Women’s March. I wasn’t surprised to learn that the march initially had no African American representation. Basically, blacks were not even considered when it came down to any issues concerning women. When founder Teresa Shook finally realized that a march that would have so much impact to all races other than whites, she decided to recruit Tamika Mallory.
Tamika, a mother to a teenage son whose father was shot and killed, has become a strong advocate for gun control, police violence, and abuse of women of color. We see how passionate she is about fighting for the rights of her community and women and because she has the immense support of her family, she is able to continue and make a difference. Filmmakers Amy Berg and Joy Gorman did a wonderful job of showing how difficult their personal lives were because of their activism.
Erika Andiola, a Mexican immigrant Activist and former Press Secretary for Latino Outreach for Bernie Sanders in 2016, whose passion to fight for rights of immigrants stems from coming to the United States undocumented as a child. She has been strong in fighting against the separation of immigrant children at the border, deportation, and citizenship laws. The documentary takes you through several protest arrests as well as her own mother being taken in custody for not having legal documentation.
When the two came together in the Women’s March, they were powerful voices of many when discussing issues concerning not only women but their communities. This documentary was nothing less than amazing. It was so incredible to see two young women fight so hard for their communities and give hope to women around the world. You must see this movie.
“Fast Color”
“Fast Color” is a sci-fi film about a woman with supernatural abilities who finally returns home to her family to hide from scientists who want to capture her for research. Ruth (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), has been on the run for years hiding in buildings in a seemingly abandoned town where water and other human necessities are scarce. She has the power to take things apart with her mind but the only problem is, she can never put them back together. Over the years she has developed seizures that are so strong they cause earthquakes and this seems to be how the scientists have been able to track her.
One day in a diner she meets a man named Bill (Christopher Denham) who gives her a ride but turns out to be the scientist trying to capture her. When she does break free, she heads to a town called Garrison where her mother and daughter live. When she arrives, we find out that her daughter Lila (Saniyya Sidney) has inherited her abilities. Her mother Mo (Lorraine Toussaint) reveals that their powers go back many generations and they’ve always had to hide with fear of being captured. As Ruth reconnects with her family, they all fight together to stay hidden.
This story started off great with a typical on-the-run theme but as it went along you wonder what exactly the scientists want from them. It’s not clear why capturing her is so profitable to them. Can her abilities bring them a rare jewel from another galaxy that could make them rich? Could she help them create some sort of replica of the powers that would change humanity as we know it? Usually, in sci-fi films, when the one with superhuman powers is sought after, it is because someone wants to make a fortune off of it or use it to rule the world.
I felt the story could have been a lot stronger but I will say I loved that the aspect of generations of strong women and also this film has an all African American lead cast which director Julia Hart says in the Q&A, was “a responsibility for people who are not of color to have an imagination that is bigger than themselves.” Not your typical sci-fi film but still worth checking out.
The 2019 Athena Film Festival was an absolutely amazing experience and I hope that I am invited next year. I always love to see incredible projects that are passionately crafted by people who have a voice and want to use it through cinema. And I will be right here to tell all of you about it.
