Conceptualised, directed, filmed and edited a 60-second response to the brief- A Love Letter To Britain. I drew on my love of British nature and how it has always been a place where I have found peace and, in many ways belonging. Upon discussion of this with my mother, this became an intergenerational dialogue which allowed me to access an intimate portrait of my mother's journey to feeling at home in Britain.
Nature never judges. It is somewhere where even the most socially excluded can feel a sense of belonging. Although flora and fauna may differ from country to country and climate to climate, Nature as a locus for acceptance and peace is constant. Sometimes this is enough to blur the boundaries between a home that has been left behind and one that has just been found.
In the aftermath of the BlackLivesMatter movement and Brexit, love was not a feeling that I could easily associate with Britain. However, the peace and joy I have found in its nature are undeniable.
My second film ‘Mother’s Nature’ was a personal piece that explored my mother’s relationship with Nature- a space where she has been able to find a sense of belonging, safety, and acceptance in a society that often tries to disempower and harm black women. Through this film, I was able to explore themes of colonialism, anti-blackness, as well as hope, and belonging.
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Act 1: A typical birthing story. A black woman strains whilst giving birth.
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Act 2: We hear the cry of a baby. We see tears being shed. Family holds each other.
Act 2: We hear the cry of a baby. We see tears being shed. Family holds each other.
