9-year-old Corbin is given a different kind of education when his cousin from the inner city moves in with his suburban family.

Interview with Writer/Director Kali Baker-Johnson

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Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

"this is how I want to remember H.E.R." was my graduate thesis film, and I was pushed by friends and my professors to do something personal. I was uncomfortable with the idea at first, but I grew to love the idea of doing something about my family and I used that as a jumping off point. The film is very loosely based on the time in my life when my troubled cousin moved in with my family, although it'd be inaccurate to call the film biographical.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

I think the film is interesting in that it explores class distinctions within the black community. So often we think about race relations purely from an interracial standpoint and not an intraracial one, and I think this film is unique in that it looks at the ways black people of different classes have trouble interacting, even when they're family. And I think people should watch because of Jabree Webber. She's incredible.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I think there's a lot going on in my film, and a couple different layers of meaning and some are more universal and some are very personal. One of the themes that is very personal and special to me that audiences often don't pick up on is music. I kind of think of the character of Patience as almost an embodiment of black music and the emotional origins of it. And I think that idea intersects of complements the more universal theme of being an outsider.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script went through a lot of different iterations, but it was never anything much different than the final product. I don't think it was about evolving or finding the story or themes, it was more about trying to focus the film, in large part because there were so many ideas in it. But I always wanted to the film to be sort of mysterious, I didn't want the narrative or message to be too clean or clear.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Well, to my face it's all been positive. But I know that a screener of it went out to the alumni network of my school for awards judging, and a professor told me that half the people absolutely hated the film, and half absolutely loved. And to me that's the mark of a good film, so I'm flattered.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Honestly, I intended for the film to be divisive, but I don't think I was prepared emotionally to deal with the mixed reception. I have a real need for people to get my work and be satisfied by it, so at first it was frustrating for people to not understand what I was doing, even though I wanted to be somewhat ambiguous. But I've since come to terms with it.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I am gearing up to do my first feature narrative so I just want to get my name out there and to have my work seen by potential collaborators, investors and distributors. And I always like feedback from the audience, I feel like it's the only way to grow as a storyteller.

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. And a social media person, because I'm terrible at that. I find it very hard to engage with.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

In a practical sense, I want it to get my name out there. But a number of people, often times people who have a connection to mental health issues (sometimes a personal connection, sometimes a professional connection), have reached out and told me how much the film has meant to them and that really means the world to me. I think I look at filmmaking as a very selfish form of activism, so hearing things like that makes me feel like I did good.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

"What happened at the end?" seems to always divide people, although I think it's pretty clear.

Would you like to add anything else?

I would just like to say how thankful I am for my cast. I got very, very lucky. It's embarrassing to think about how much of the film's quality had nothing to do with me and had so much to do with the performances.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I am actively looking for a producer for an ultra low budget feature I wrote, tentatively titled Elsewhere. I'm also showing my first feature length documentary Thumbwarrior to buyers, producing a comic book series entitled Zahra The Shadow Flame, and releasing a web series called Busters.

Interview: February 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, 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

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this is how I want to remember H.E.R.

9-year-old Corbin is given a different kind of education when his cousin from the inner city moves in with his suburban family.

Length: 26:35

Director: Kali Baker-Johnson

Producer: Shannon Losinski

Writer: Kali Baker-Johnson

About the writer, director and producer:

Kali's award-winning films have screened across the country and abroad. He is currently finishing his first feature documentary, Thumbwarrior.

Key cast: Jabree Webber, Alexander Shulman, Khairi Christopher

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): All of the above

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rememberherfilm/

Funders: Leo Freedman Foundation

Made in association with: Chapman University

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Outfest Fusion