Interview

Making No Truth Claims: Historical Complexity in Mila Turajlic’s The Other Side of Everything
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Making No Truth Claims: Historical Complexity in Mila Turajlic’s The Other Side of Everything

Courtney Sheehan talks with Serbian Director Mila Turajlic at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Turajilic’s new documentary, The Other Side of Everything (Druga strana svega) mines the depths of family history to offer an untold story of Yugoslavia’s past. The filmmaker shares about her process, her family’s fascinating story, and the role of documentary in representing and reflecting upon cultural complexities.

 

On Art and Healing

On Art and Healing

The Independent’s editor speaks with Ricardo Bouyett, filmmaker, writer, and photographer of the new short No Love For Fuckboys. The film, which won “Best Experimental Short” at the Short To The Point International Film Festival, is an exploration—at once personal and more broadly social—of the intricacies of navigating dating, friendship, love, and desire after the trauma of sexual assault.

New Documentary Shines a Light on Brooklyn Teenager Miasia Clark
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New Documentary Shines a Light on Brooklyn Teenager Miasia Clark

The Independent catches up with Yvonne Michelle Shirley, creator of the new documentary, Miasia: The Nature of Experience. The film, which featured at BlackStar Film Festival, chronicles the life of Brooklyn teenager Miasia Clark as she navigates her everyday world and prepares to present at the first ever Black Girl Movement National Conference. Miasia is joined in this effort by members of her activist group, Girls for Gender Equity.

 

Orphan Dreams from Swaziland

Orphan Dreams from Swaziland

Mike Sullivan reviews Liyana, a new documentary directed by Aaron and Amanda Kopp (former 10-to-watch series winners!) The film, which employs stunning animation, tells the story of five orphaned children living and dreaming in Swaziland.  Liyana premiered at the LA Film Festival in June, where it won “Best Documentary.”

 

 

 

(Dis)Ability in the Work of an Australian Filmmaker
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(Dis)Ability in the Work of an Australian Filmmaker

The Independent speaks with gough, a screen writer, director, and producer based in Australia. gough, who is legally blind, runs the successful company Beernuts Productions, which has produced a variety of documentaries, shorts, and other media content. Here gough reflects on how his disability informs his work and comedy.