Melbourne Documentary Film Festival - Risking Light
From the streets of Minneapolis, the aboriginal lands of Australia, and the killing fields of Cambodia come the powerful stories of three people who had the courage to step out of the haunting, tragic darkness of the past, risking everything to reach the light of their own compassion.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Dawn Mikkelson
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I had reached a stage in my career, after over a decade of making documentaries, where I had become pretty jaded about the world. I was looking for a story to help me rediscover my faith in humanity. Then I met Mary Johnson, a woman who forgave the man who murdered her son. That was it. That was what I was looking for. I wanted to know more. How could she do it? Was she unique or was this kind of radical forgiveness something that was possible for all of us? What IS forgiveness anyway? All these questions.
So I decided to explore Mary’s story, while also looking for other stories, in other cultural and religious contexts. Then I found Kilong Ung, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge and Debra Hocking, a member of Australia’s Stolen Generations. These stories create a large vision of what forgiveness is and what is possible if one goes down the difficult path of forgiveness.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
These are engaging stories of beautiful people who are changing the world, starting with themselves. This film redefines what forgiveness is and why it’s critical in our lives, in a way that is entertaining and moving. This kind of inspiration is necessary in these times when we are easily divided and cloistered in our social media bubbles.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As I’ve mentioned, forgiveness is a universal experience, regardless of culture, religion, place, or other labels. It is about being human. A human who can recover from profound trauma and not let that trauma destroy their future or turn them into someone who will inflict trauma on others. The phrase “hurt people hurt people” is true and one of the main reasons that conflict exists in our world.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
This film started with Mary and O’shea. Then we found Kilong. And then Debra. These stories together created a beautiful meditation on forgiveness and what connects us as humans across the globe. That said, it took a while for them to find their place in the edit. These stories are simultaneously similar and profoundly different from one another. So the edit was the place where they revealed how they danced together. ☺
What type of feedback have you received so far?
We have been overwhelmed by our audiences at festivals including Cinequest, Cleveland International Film Festival, and beyond. Selling out screening after screening, with new screenings added at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival and selection for Best of Fest. Audiences seem to linger in the theater for longer than I’ve ever experienced, wrapped in the Q&A and wanting to share their own stories. This is what we hoped for. That this film would strike a personal chord with audiences.
In addition, we’ve received phenomenal press, listed in the top 10 films of Cinequest by both the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News, the only documentary to make both lists at that festival. I think that the audiences and press are seeing the timeliness of this story.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No. The most challenging feedback was from an older woman in Minneapolis who insisted that Debra was not Aboriginal because she “looked white”. During that conversation, I defended Debra’s Aboriginality and was reminded of the challenges Debra has faced throughout her life to be who she is. That she was removed from her family BECAUSE she was Aboriginal, yet the world treats her like a white woman, due to their narrow views on race.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are excited to share this film with the rest of the world. Our screenings in the United States have been profound and are so thrilled to be having our International Premiere at the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival. In fact Debra will be there, representing the film on our behalf. The international community represented by www.wearemovingstories.com is where this film belongs, as this film is truly an international film, with stories from the United States, Cambodia, and Australia. We look forward to learning more from the international community as this film begins its journey outside the United States.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We would love to find all of the above. We are having conversations with distributors, but as of this date have still not signed with any of them. Our goal is that this film be seen across the globe at festivals, on television, streaming, and through grassroots and educational screenings. We have partners with The Forgiveness Project (UK) and the Charter or Compassion (US) and hope to develop more relationships with NGOs and other groups who share our commitment to forgiveness, restorative justice, and peacemaking. We want this film to be a vehicle to raise these conversations higher across the globe.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Could you forgive the unforgiveable? And then, why would you?
Would you like to add anything else?
We are honored by your interest in RISKING LIGHT and overjoyed to bring this film outside of the United States, into the communities we filmed in Australia and Cambodia, as well as the wider international community. If anyone wants to learn more about the film, you can visit our website http://www.riskinglight.com and sign up for our email update or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram as @RiskingLight.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’m in post-production as a director on a feature called MINNESOTA MEAN about the Minnesota RollerGirls and their 2017 International Season. Athletes who balance life, relationships, and the deep passion they share for a sport that requires 85% of their lives, has no financial compensation, and can send them to the hospital in a split second.
In addition, I’m in production as a producer for a film directed by Melissa Butts following the Minnesota Lynx, the #1 ranked team in the WNBA, following them during their 2018 season.
These new films are a part of my commitment to bringing forward the stories of women in today’s society.
Interview: May 2018
_______________________________________________________________________________
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
_______________________________________________________________________________
Risking Light
From the streets of Minneapolis, the aboriginal lands of Australia, and the killing fields of Cambodia come the powerful stories of three people who had the courage to step out of the haunting, tragic darkness of the past, risking everything to reach the light of their own compassion.
Length: 86 min
Director: Dawn Mikkelson
Producer: Dawn Mikkelson & Miranda Wilson
Writer: Dawn Mikkelson
About the writer, director and producer:
Dawn Mikkelson: Emmy award-winning filmmaker whose work celebrates the power and resilience of individuals who choose to take control of their fate rather than victims of circumstance.
Miranda Wilson: First-time documentary producer, with a background in radio, television, and U.S. politics.
Key cast: Mary Johnson, O’shea Israel, Kilong Ung, and Debra Hocking
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, and journalists.
Social media handles:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/riskinglight
Twitter: @riskinglight
Instagram: @riskinglight
Other: http://www.riskinglight.com
Funders: The Fetzer Institute, the McKnight Foundation, the Pachamama Alliance, 184 Kickstarter Backers, and 346 Seed&Spark supporters.
Made in association with: Big Vision Empty Wallet Kickstart Diversity program
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? June/July 2018: Duluth Superior Film Festival (US) and Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (Australia)