Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival - Headhunt Revisited: With Brush, Canvas and Camera
The documentary, Headhunt Revisited, follows Caroline Mytinger’s unprecedented journey to paint the diverse culture of Melanesia in 1926. Over 80 years later Caroline’s story inspires new generations of artists and non-artists alike about the importance of documenting culture and tradition.
Interview with Director/Producer Michele Westmorland
Watch Headhunt Revisited: With Brush, Canvas and Camera on Vimeo on demand
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I have been passionate about Melanesia since my first visit as a photographer in 1992. A few years later, I was given Caroline’s second book “New Guinea Headhunt” and was in awe of the story. I discovered her first book “Headhunting in the Solomon Islands” and I knew at that point, I needed to learn more about Caroline Mytinger and her companion, Margaret Warner. The research took several years and once I discovered the location of the original artwork and saw just how beautiful they were – I had a project and story I wanted to tell.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
How many talented and brave women of history have been forgotten? These stories are about individual empowerment. In addition, it is the power of art that records history and culture and are timeless. Our daily lives entangled in electronic devices take us away from the power and freedom of self-expression. That is what art does.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Caroline and Margaret, their brave journey, relationship and creativity as to how to accomplish a journey of 4 years – with no financial support – is big. As a photographer, I realize just what capturing a “moment in time” is in recording culture. We also have our own individual styles, as explained by Jeffry Feeger, a contemporary Papua New Guinea artist, in the film. Art, no matter what medium it is created in, can span oceans and decades.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
This was probably the most difficult part of the post-productions process. We had so many stories and so much content. Other people’s suggestions, although valuable, could not have taught me the structure what I was trying to convey. I, like Caroline when she wrote her books about her experiences, made many discoveries about my views and true lack of knowledge of the lives of Melanesians. I’ll never know, as a white meri (woman) but have gained so much respect by being taught, encouraged and, at times, corrected by the very people I was telling this story about!
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feedback has been positive and rewarded with a “Best Foreign Documentary” at our very first film festival. I have some very powerful testimonials from respected people in Papua New Guinea and from around the U.S. and Australia.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
My thought process changed over time during the post-production. Although I’ve always believed in the power of Caroline’s story, it was in 2011 when I met and brought Jeffry into the dialogue that I truly realized just how important art is to society.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
On of my goals with the film and in the media, is to raise awareness about Melanesia. Here in North America, few people know anything about this incredible part of the world. Its cultural diversity and biodiversity is one of importance as the vast forests, oceans and people are in risk of exploitation. But I ask the question, how can you protect and care about a geographic area unless you see the beauty – and art can provide a window into viewing all Melanesia has to offer.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I need distributors, film festival directors and journalists to help me show and tell audiences that what Caroline and Margaret did in the 20s can open our eyes 100 years later.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Recognition to a forgotten artist and to the people of Melanesia. Discover more about the environmental importance to our planet and the next time a person reads about social and environmental issues, they have a reason to care and act.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I think the key question is how and why these two American women went to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, then New Guinea, which are in Melanesia. What was their purpose, did they accomplish the goals and what did they learn? Early 20th Century scholars and adventurers had a different viewpoint – some of their vocabulary is questionable today. But I have found that we all evolve, change perspectives and opinions when you get to know the people. In many ways, we are all the same and trying to survive and grow in a globally changing world.
Would you like to add anything else?
For anyone in the Pacific Northwest, come see us on April 15th at the Pickford Center and CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival. Time is 1:30PM.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Papua New Guinea artist Jeffry Feeger is working with me to get more information and this film to the community through local screenings and to schools. In addition, there are some cultural festivals in Melanesia where we hope to show the film.
Interview: April 2018
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
Headhunt Revisited: With Brush, Canvas and Camera
The documentary, Headhunt Revisited, follows Caroline Mytinger’s unprecedented journey to paint the diverse culture of Melanesia in 1926. Over 80 years later Caroline’s story inspires new generations of artists and non-artists alike about the importance of documenting culture and tradition.
Length: 76 minutes
Director: Michele Westmorland
Producer: Michele Westmorland and Sandy Jeglum
Writer: Elle Russ; excerpts from Caroline Mytinger’s books voice by Lauren Hutton
About the writer, director and producer:
Director/Producer, Michele Westmorland: Michele Westmorland is a full-time photographer with a focus on Papua New Guinea and Melanesia. Her work spans both the cultural and marine diversity of the islands.
Producer/editor, Sandy Jeglum: Sandy has worked in the field of visual story telling and post-production for 15 years. She began working with the Director since the inception of the project..
Writer, Elle Russ: Elle provided direction for the narrative combining her talent with identifying key excerpts from Caroline’s books for the voice-over by actress/model, Lauren Hutton.
Key cast:
Jeffry Feeger and many artists from the PNG creative community are hoping to garner more attention to their abilities in expression. This comes in many forms – canvas, paper, carving, film and photography.
Actress/Model, Lauren Hutton as the voice of Caroline Mytinger; Michele Westmorland, Photographer/Director/Expedition Leader; Dick Doyle, Historian; Dr. Andrew Moutu; Anthropologist; Dr. Joshua A. Bell, Anthropologist – Smithsonian; Captain Alan Raabe and the crew of M.V. FeBrina
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists)
Sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors and journalists. Documentary Educational Resources has North American Educational Distribution rights.
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeadhuntRevisited/
Twitter: @MichWestmorland
Instagram: michelewestmorland
Funders: National Endowment for the Arts; The Scott Pearlman Grant; Women in Film Seattle; Marcia and John Friede; Buffy Redsecker & Alan Chung; Alice L. Robertson; Nancy Rosenthal; Christopher and Alida Latham; The Kling Family Foundation; Julie Bratspis; The Pollard Family – Australia; Justin Black - Visionary Wild; Lisa & Kevin Rodondi; Dr. Melissa K. Thomas; Kathy Vosters; Jerry Fielder and Daniel Campbell-Benson
Corporate Sponsors: Bank South Pacific; International League of Conservation Photographers; Walindi Resort & M.V. FeBrina; Reef & Rainforest; Tufi Resort; Air Niugini; Lowepro
Fiscal Sponsor: Documentary Educational Resources
Made in association with – Flag Carries: Explorers Club, Society of Women Geographers; WingsWorldQuest
Where can I see it in the coming months? Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival; Australian National Film & Sound Archives in Canberra; screenings are now being offered; Documentary Educational Resources will be releasing both streaming and DVD