Frozen River Film Festival - Avanyu
For Tesuque Pueblo member Louie Hena and his family, the Rio Grande is more than just a river-- it's their office, their provider, their church, their home. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act in 2018, Louie urges us all to protect more wild rivers.
Interview with Director/Producer Dana Romanoff & Amy Marquis
Main photo: Hena's grandson shows off his catch on the Rio Grande. (c) Dana Romanoff/NPX
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Last summer, American Rivers' communications director Sinjin Eberle approached us with the idea to make a short, character-driven film to kick of the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act in 2018. We love working with American Rivers-- their work shines a light on so many important stories and they totally understand the power of film to tell those stories well. When Sinjin began zeroing in on a native story on the Rio Grande, we were sold. It's the kind of film that aligns beautifully with our own independent series, National Park Experience (NPX), which places culturally diverse individuals front and center in the outdoors, reminding viewers that national park experience belongs to everyone-- not just the privileged, athletic and elite.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Wild and scenic rivers are the backbone of our country, but there aren't very many of them. This film reminds us how critical it is to protect America's lifeblood and the millions of people who depend on it. The film also positions and represents indigenous people in a beautiful and thoughtful way, highlighting their personal, spiritual, and communal connections to the Rio Grande, as well as highlighting the leadership roles they've played in protecting one of America's most stunning and important landscapes.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Dana and I are both mothers, and we instantly identified "family" as a theme that really drew us into Louie's story. The Hena family works so beautifully together, and as a result they've created a highly successful family business that bridges cultural divides and draws positive attention to the plight of their people and landscape. The Henas are highly educated, well traveled, global in their thinking,and local in their activism. They're incredible role models in their community and for America as a whole.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
This was a pretty straightforward film project, so I can't say it evolved in any particular ways other than the most expected: We met our subjects, experienced the Rio Grande, and fell completely in love with it all. In the edit, we had so many powerful quotes from Louie and his daughter Crystal, and the footage was shot so poetically. So we just kept asking the question-- how do we make the viewer feel like they're on a journey? Like they're experiencing the Rio Grande with the Henas? That really helped guide our storytelling.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Really positive feedback. I can't tell you how many people have said they want to experience the Feast & Float someday... Los Rios River Runners are going to need more boats.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback hasn't surprised or challenged me, but filming in indigenous cultures always challenges our point of view. We really have to let go of the Type A producer/director mentality and have total clarity on what we can and cannot control. It can be a tough and stressful lesson in letting go, but it's exponentially rewarding. Louie is an amazing teacher.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
The more people we can reach with the message that America's rivers desperately need better protection, the better. I hope this film inspires people to submit their own river stories to American Rivers (https://www.americanrivers.org/campaigns/5000-miles-wild/) and take action to protect our country's critical waterways.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
It definitely takes a village! I think the greatest activism will come from the general public itself--sharing the film online, telling their friends, taking action -- but it sure doesn't hurt to have festival staff supporting the film, and journalists taking these river stories a step farther than we were able to do in an 8-minute short.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We'd be thrilled if this film could help American Rivers reach its goal of collecting 5,000 personal river stories from the public-- those testimonies could go such a long way in the organization's mission to designate more rivers as wild & scenic. I also hope that viewers gain greater respect for native perspectives and their conservation leadership. At the least, I hope the film helps to draw more attention to the Rio Grande and the value of free-flowing, healthy rivers to the people, communities, and wildlife that depend on it.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Are our rivers in danger? Absolutely. With land and energy development, larger populations to support, and the onset of global climate change, our rivers are stressed more than ever. And, with nearly 3 million miles of rivers in the United States, only about 13,000 miles across the country are protected as Wild & Scenic. We must prioritize the protection and sustainability of our most valuable resource: our water.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Amy and Dana are editing the final NPX film, "Confluence," which profiles a young indie-folk band as they travel through the Colorado River Basin, meeting people whose lives have been shaped by the landscape and making original music of their stories. We'll begin rolling out web-exclusive clips this summer through an interactive digital platform, with hopes of a film festival premiere next fall. You can learn more at ConfluenceTheJourney.com. Over the course of this spring, American Rivers will be releasing a series of films (some featured at the Frozen River Film Festival!!) between now and May. Stay tuned for these compelling and beautiful stories in the coming months.
Interview: February 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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AVANYU
For Tesuque Pueblo member Louie Hena and his family, the Rio Grande is more than just a river-- it's their office, their provider, their church, their home. In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act in 2018, Louie urges us all to protect more wild rivers.
Length: 8 min
Director: Dana Romanoff & Amy Marquis
Producer: Dana Romanoff & Amy Marquis
Executive Producer: Sinjin Eberle, American Rivers
Writer: Dana Romanoff & Amy Marquis
About the writer, director and producer:
DANA ROMANOFF: Dana is photojournalist and filmmaker who crafts authentic stories that advocate for women, girls, and the idea that all humans deserve a fair chance.
AMY MARQUIS: Amy is film director, producer and editor who has earned front-row access to America’s national parks and the culturally diverse communities helping to protect them.
Key cast: Louie Hena, Crystal Hena, The Hena Family, Los Rios River Runners
Funders: LOR Foundation, American Rivers & YETI Coolers
Made in association with: American Rivers
Where can I see it in the next month?
On American Rivers' Facebook page, 5000Miles.org, and YouTube channel