the film

A Village of Voices

 DIRECTED BY THE ARTIST, THIS SHORT FILM FEATURES WOMEN FROM HER FAMILY IN CONVERSATION, REFLECTING ON THE ROLE STORYTELLING PLAYS IN BLACK FAMILY LIFE. THE FILM CENTERS THE BELIEF THAT “WE EXIST BECAUSE OUR VILLAGE SPOKE,” BECAUSE THOSE BEFORE US CHOSE TO SPEAK, REMEMBER, AND PASS DOWN WHAT THEY KNEW.

THROUGH THESE EXCHANGES, THE FILM HONORS ORAL TRADITION AS A WAY OF ACCURATELY RECOUNTING AND PRESERVING HISTORY, SHAPING BLACK IDENTITY, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNAL TIES. IN A TIME THAT ENCOURAGES DISCONNECTION AND INDIVIDUALISM, THIS ACT OF REMEMBERING REMINDS US THAT WE ARE NEVER ALONE. OUR COLLECTIVE STORIES CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE AND HELP US UNDERSTAND WHO WE ARE AND WHO WE BELONG TO.

DIRECTOR: DARIANE BEAMON

PRODUCER: RAVEN SHAVERS AKA LOTUS

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: DELENCY PARHAM

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: AMIR AZIZ | RAVEN SHAVERS AKA LOTUS

CAMERA ASSITANT: THEO SHEAR

EDITOR: LILY NGUYEN

SOUND MIXER: PAT MESITI-MILLER