Whether it’s an inescapable reality of everyday life, or catalyzed by a change in our circumstances, we’ve all faced adversity. For many, multiple systems of oppression intersect to pose additional challenges to life. But through the power of storytelling, we can address those challenges, ensure the world is a little more understanding and open, and pave the way for others like us, so that nobody has to face their struggles alone.
This month’s crowdfunding picks are all women-told stories of adversity. For some, it’s deeply personal, but all hope to facilitate change through their projects. Short film “Tracing” is written by Xiaolai Chen, and based on her experience of moving from China to the UK and her struggle to adapt to Western culture.
Globe-trotting filmmaker Coco Wouters set out to make “The Great Journey,” a docuseries that explores the successes and failures of fellow female filmmakers around the world.
Documentary “Becoming Helen Keller” seeks to reclaim its legendary subject with historical context, exploring disability history and Keller’s social justice advocacy in a time before the disability rights movement as we know it existed.
And lastly, narrative short film “Pick” is a fictionalized account of a young black girl’s relationship with her hair, and the racial microaggressions directed at her when she wears her afro to school for the first time.
Here’s our latest round of women-created and women-centric crowdfunding picks.
“Tracing” (Short) – Directed by Kirsty Sturgess; Written by Xiaolai Chen
https://vimeo.com/268875974
When writer/actor Xiaolai Chen moved to the UK from China by herself at the age of 18, she found herself struggling to acclimate to Western society, and began to change her behavior and presentation in an attempt to fit in. But she soon realized that by doing so, she was losing her own sense of self. “I discovered that only if I let go, and embrace my roots, and accept the fact that I am different, will my own beauty shine in its own way,” she explains. Through this short film, she draws upon her own lived experiences to explore the circumstances of those who struggle to exist between cultures. “I aim to offer a new perspective in discussing identity crisis and immigration in this modern era of globalization,” she says.
She and director Kirsty Sturgess both perform in the film, which they describe as experimental. Sturgess explains further: “The thing that … we feel makes our film feel unique and different is that we use an element of movement to tell our narrative in a very non-conventional and unique way.” “Tracing” illustrates that while spoken language requires translation, body language is almost universal, and can build a bridge between cultures.
You can learn more and help “Tracing” tell its story by backing its Indiegogo campaign.
“The Great Journey” (Docuseries) – Directed by Coco Wouters
Accompanied by trusty sidekick/dog Jackie, Coco Wouters set off in her car to travel the world, and meet with female filmmakers — specifically, women who make independent films which have competed in some of the biggest international film festivals. Following these women at different stages of their careers, and working on different stages of their respective films, Wouters paints a portrait of equally determined individuals who are smashing stereotypes, and amplifies their voices in the process. So far she has met with, and filmed, five filmmakers: Selma Vilhunen, in Finland; Ella Manzheeva, based in Russia; Zhanna Issabayeva, in Kazakhstan; Zoljargal “Zoro” Purevdash, in Mongolia; and Wouters herself. Now she is seeking additional funds to complete her filming, with two more directors in India and China, respectively, left to profile.
Part of Wouters’ aim is to expand knowledge of independent and female filmmakers in the public consciousness. “Try to think if you know three names of filmmakers from other countr[ies] further than 1,500km from your country,” she suggested in an update on her campaign page. “Then think about three names from directors in [the] USA. Personally, I wanted to break this invisible border, and give you the opportunity to meet very talented and independent film directors from other countr[ies], directors with a vision who will make you understand better the world we are living in.” In response to the increase in Western countries closing their borders to outsiders, Wouters aims to open those borders through film, and allow us to see the huge range of countries where filmmakers operate, but also celebrate those women around the world who overcome adversity in their field, no matter the country they are working in.
Help “The Great Journey” finish documenting these stories by donating to its Indiegogo campaign.
“Becoming Helen Keller” (Documentary) – Co-Written and Directed by Laurie Block
Born in 1880, Helen Keller became one of the most famous disabled figures of 20th century America, yet despite knowing her name, and perhaps one or two tasteless jokes, most people today know little about Keller, or her legacy. As filmmaker Laurie Block explains, “being deaf-blind was central to [Keller’s] identity, her work, and the daily details of her life,” and with this film, Block aims to place Keller’s story within its historical context, and explore how she impacted social justice and disability advocacy long before the disability rights movements of the late 20th century surfaced.
Drawing upon resources from far and wide, the documentary features a number of disability scholars and advocates offering commentary, dramatized readings of correspondence and newspaper accounts from Keller’s friends and contemporaries — as portrayed by actors such as Jayne Atkinson and Katherine Waterston — and Keller’s own writings read aloud by award-winning actor Cherry Jones. Partially funded through grants provided by various trusts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and also the PBS biography series “American Masters,” which will be broadcasting the film once it is completed, the project is currently aiming towards finalizing a two-hour rough cut.
You can support “Becoming Helen Keller” through post-production by donating to its Kickstarter campaign.
“Pick” (Short) – Written and Directed by Alicia K. Harris
“Pick”
When 11-year-old Alliyah wears her afro to school for the first time, she is met with casual, subtle racist comments and microaggressions — furthermore, it’s picture day, and Alliyah must decide whether to wear her hair as it is in its natural state, or to tie it up. Writer-director Alicia K. Harris was motivated to tell this story by her own personal experiences and relationship with her hair, which she had chemically straightened for 12 years, until she cut it off in her early 20s. “At 25, I’ve returned to my authentic self, but I still vividly remember the emotional and physical pain felt by the 11-year-old girl who inspired the character of Alliyah,” she explained. “The girl who’d sit in that salon chair till her scalp burned from the relaxer chemicals, just so she could look like everyone else. Because she didn’t feel pretty. I am making this film for her.”
Far from an isolated incident, the story speaks to the almost universal experience of black women. Indeed, the film’s campaign page highlights just a few recent news stories — from the U.S., Canada, the Bahamas, and South Africa — of black women and girls discriminated against because of the ignorance about, and stigma surrounding, black women’s natural hair. With these attitudes stemming from colonialism still being reinforced today, Harris hopes that her short film will begin to pick apart the stigma, challenge viewers to reflect on their own potential role as bystander or perpetrator of racial microaggressions, and reinforce the message that “black hair is bold, and beautiful.”
Check out “Pick’s” Kickstarter campaign to help tell its story, and fund it through post-production.
To be considered for Women and Hollywood’s biweekly crowdfunding feature, please write to womenandhollywoodinterns@gmail.com. All formats (features, shorts, web series, etc.) welcome. Projects must be by and/or about women.
