Three Spectacular Films to Support This Week

I love my women friends. And the pitch video for this project oozes the joy, love and connection of what is possible inside these friendships. I can’t embed the video directly because Substack doesn’t play nicely with all video players. But go watch the pitch video, it’s delightful!

The film is a comedy about bravely facing identity, and I just love this snippet from the director’s statement:

I successfully outran my queerness for years before it finally caught me at twenty-three. Being Black and a woman felt like two strikes in America; how could I afford a third? After jumping on the dating apps, I met Alissa. I was a ball of nerves on our second date. We walked circles around the block of our movie theater, not wanting to go home, not knowing how else to stay. I stopped her in front of a used tire shop and asked if I could kiss her. Soft lips and fireworks. For the first time, being other felt right, felt home.

Alex Dauphin, Director

With a title like this, I’m usually in without even watching the video, but I’m so glad I did! Generally speaking I am a big fan of deploying parents into your pitch videos. Over the years we have seen this done in SO many delightful ways, and in the case of Hot Dancing Granny, this film is already about mothers, daughters and grandmothers, so it’s lovely to see a real mother-daughter dynamic throughout.

Maybe my favorite thing about this project is that it’s about healing generational disconnect, coming from the filmmaker’s own experience:

Lulu’s story is my story. When I made the jump to acting full time, I had to juggle a never-ending amount of self-tape auditions with my mom’s constant stream of doubts: Why can’t you get a good, stable job? Sue’s skepticism is inspired by my mother’s worries, rooted in an immigrant fear that many first/second-generation kids know so well. Don’t worry, my mom has come around and she’s now my biggest fan, and I’m hers!

Mae Zhang McCauley

Colombia has been in the news this week, and Remezcla put together a list of trusted resources you can follow, support and share.

This short documentary is about 95 year old Colombian artist Eliseo Ruiz Suarez and his remarkable, whimsical work. I really recommend watching the video and also reading the story on their crowdfunding page - Suarez truly embodies a life well-lived in deep curiosity and creativity!"

Despite being 95, Eliseo still has a sharp mind and a young spirit. His body is the only obstacle between his creative soul and his next adventure. We are making this film in an effort to bring the adventure to Eliseo, to help him continue his unending search for the Infinito Azul. In a time of extreme disconnection, violence, and uncertainty, his approach to “life in process” can offer us a refreshing perspective.

I hope you enjoy these projects as much as I have!

Oh, and if you like these and want more of them (and the musings in my mind):