Ask the Plantain
In a powerful exploration of her Greek Canadian heritage, a woman embarks on an introspective journey through the depths of her heart, akin to traversing a black hole, in search of the gifts hidden within her wounds. Guided by the presence of the plantain, a resilient plant often referred to as "white man's footprints" due to its association with European settlers, she unravels the fragmented threads of an ancient myth and pre-Hellenic ceremony. Through this profound exploration, she seeks to rediscover the art of navigating the loss of identity and the cyclical nature of life's transitions.
Interview with Director/Editor Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I made this film to create a piece of art that makes sense of the internal journey I have been navigating for over a decade. It relates to facing a wound in my heart, which I describe as the liminal space of not belonging to the lands I was born on or where my ancestors once came from. This directly relates to settler colonialism and the path of reclaiming gifts that we can offer in reciprocity to our lives and each other.
This journey has been significant, and along the way, I have encountered many authors whose work has been like the elder I never had. This film is an artistic expression of that sentiment and the internal learning and process.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you enjoy riddles, I recommend watching this film as an audience member. It contains deep references and open-ended questions. I hope the audience will impose their own stories and questions onto me and leave with unanswered questions that lead to thought-provoking conversations.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Personal themes are woven into this exploration of identity and my confrontation with settler colonialism. These themes are integral to my lived experience. By incorporating the myth of Demeter and Persephone, the film touches on universal themes. These archetypal structures serve as a map for various experiences and perspectives, as they encompass the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. The chapters and cycles within the film artfully explore both collective and personal transitions.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The film underwent significant evolution during pre-production, when I worked closely with my Director of Photography, Antonia Ramirez, to create the most detailed shot list I have ever made. Antonia's willingness to understand my vision, her talent, and her unwavering commitment to capturing the best compositions made my vision possible. Also the freedom that I had to spend one-month location scouting on the island of Crete so I could curate every single location as we envisioned. I am also grateful for the belief and endless support of my producer, Shelby Manton, who has been with me throughout every stage of pre-production, production, and post-production. Her contribution allowed this film to evolve and come to life.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We haven't shared the film yet, so I am eager to hear feedback from audiences.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
All of the above
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
As a female director, I am seeking support to continue developing my craft. This includes opportunities for training and labs, presenting at more film festivals, securing funding for my next projects, and being invited to universities, conferences, events, festivals, and gatherings to share my work and offer workshops related to ancestral reclamation and settler accountability pedagogy.
I want this film to initiate dialogue and conversations, both on a personal and collective level. It is my intention to encourage open discussions about the wounds we carry as human beings and how we can confront them to create gifts and medicine to share with our communities. I hope this film inspires others to ask themselves meaningful questions and have trust in the ever-changing cycles of life.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Can confronting our personal wounds help us to find healing and creative solutions for the many injustices we face as a collective humanity? How does the personal relate to the collective? Can mythology and ancient storytelling structures help us remember our place and guide us in living authentically in a world that often distracts us from our truest nature?
Would you like to add anything else?
Thank you for the opportunity to speak about the film. All are welcome to be in touch to continue the conversation.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
In addition to this film, I am currently in development on a women's series called Seasons of Womanhood, which explores the transitional moments of womanhood through the lens of the seasons.
I am also working on a series that explores the rites of the nature movement. This project expands upon our short film, Our Grandmother the Inelt, transforming it into a series. Additionally, we are launching a legal impact case to advocate for human rights for a specific body of water.
Interview: December 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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
Ask the Plantain
In a powerful exploration of her Greek Canadian heritage, a woman embarks on an introspective journey through the depths of her heart, akin to traversing a black hole, in search of the gifts hidden within her wounds. Guided by the presence of the plantain, a resilient plant often referred to as "white man's footprints" due to its association with European settlers, she unravels the fragmented threads of an ancient myth and pre-Hellenic ceremony. Through this profound exploration, she seeks to rediscover the art of navigating the loss of identity and the cyclical nature of life's transitions.
Length: 12:54
Director: Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos
Producer: Shelby Manton
Writer: Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos
About the writer, director and producer:
JAIME LEIGH GIANOPOULOS is a multi-talented filmmaker and creative activist based in Vancouver, Canada. As a director, producer, and editor, she is passionate about projects that focus on empowering women, ancestral reclamation, and advocating for social and environmental justice. Her films aim to provoke thought, evoke emotions, and spark conversations to create more compassion, and understanding of the nuances of our humanity. She has two films playing at this year’s Slamdance Ask the Plantain and Our Grandmother the Inlet.
Co-founder of Boldly, SHELBY MANTON is an EP and Producer who assembles passionate creative teams to make recognizable and thought-provoking commercials, branded content, music videos, and narrative originals. She is a champion of independent cinema; empowering filmmakers through Boldly's values-based producing model built around a culture of care, community, and vision. The result is work that makes an impact.
Key cast: Jaime Leigh Gianopoulos, Milva Spina, Georgia Glymakis
Looking for: distributors, buyers, film festival directors
Instagram: @jaimebeijaflor
Website: jaimegianopoulos.com/ask-the-plantain
Other: Vimeo
Made in association with: Boldly, Her Stories Inc.
Funders: Canada Council for the Arts, Crowd Funding
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Slamdance