WHAT'S BRED IN THE BLOOD AND BONE, 5min., USA
Directed by Robin M Gee
Inspired by the work of Ida Bell Wells, whose writing documented the episodic period of lynching’s in the 1890’s, What’s Bred in the Blood and Bone is a study of space and place, girded by the collective experiences of brown bodies. “Blood” explores “blood memory” as body memory and the ways in which our collective experiences bind and fortify us as African Americans.

https://instagram.com/what's_bred_in_the_blood

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

A program began at my university celebrating the suffragette movement. I found the participation of black women in the movement problematic and wrote a grant which I received. This I began to explore more deeply ida b wells as a participant and read The Red Record. It all flowed from there.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

— Approximately 18 months

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

Wow - hard question...Bold perhaps and...Visceral

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

— finding an editor with the right editing style and aesthetic that I was going for with the film. Hannah and I definitely discovered that in this process having some of the same mentors and influences in our work

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

Wow. and thank you

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

—I never really decided... it was a natural progression for me. I studied film theory as an undergrad and was simultaneously a dancer in NY. I made a few documentaries and conservation pieces and happened upon a dance Film residency in Canada where I met Ellen Bromberg and fell in love with the medium. I am unfortunately a personality that does nothing by half's so there's also that...

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

— in terms of dance film works probably Simon Fildes Six Solos, Katrina MacPerson's the time it takes These are pieces made by my mentors and I find they are like complete works of art in that each time in view them I learn something new; about the work and about myself. I have worked with both a lot and they have definitely helped inspire my work as well as influenced the way I play with process. In terms of narrative works there are so many probably better to note authors like Sembene, Hitchcock and...Guardanino

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

As a director of a film festival I have found navigating the space between filmmaker and curator interesting. Your festival is a bohemoth and I am not at sure I uderstand how you do it.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

— I use filmfreeway for my own festival and find it pretty est to navigate and it organizes our festivals priorities quite well. I have no issues with it.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Currently - 5 o'clock proper apertivo with a spritz and assortment of knosh. A good charcuterie board is always nice, Tortellin in Broda has made the cut along with a lovely, light quiche lol

11. What is next for you? A new film?

Would love to start working on my next film - my editor and I are thinking about playing around with super 8mm film in the fall and see where that takes us with no subject in mind at the moment. Blood is festivaling quite hard so it's a little distracting when ideating the next project...