I Know a Man … Ashley Bryan is about this 95-year-old creative wonder who skips and jumps in his heart like a child. He has been using art his entire life to celebrate joy, mediate the darkness of war and racism, explore the mysteries of faith, and create loving community all inspired by his African heritage.

Interview with Writer/Director Richard Kane

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

To celebrate the art, life and philosophy of Ashley Bryan who embraces diversity and fights bigotry by example.

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

His art and life story are full of joy and beauty.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Ashley's example in his art and conversation demonstrate personal and universal themes.

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

As a documentary the film evolved each time we visited with Ashley.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Only accolades. Winner of the Hector Leonardi Art and Inspiration Award at the Hamptons Take 2 Documentary Film Festival. Honorable Mention at the Roxbury International Film Festival. Screened at 15 film festivals across the world.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Ashley is a memorable character with a full life story. I'm not surprised people are so moved seeing this film and experiencing his life story.

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

The more people who see I Know a Man ... Ashley Bryan the more loving, caring, compassionate a world we will live in.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Film festival directors, librarians, journalists, sales agents.

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

How can Ashley's words and deeds combat racism?

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

Working on a film about a political artist Robert Shetterly and his Americans Who Tell the Truth.

Interview: July 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

I Know a Man ... Ashley Bryan

Length: 57 min.

Director: Richard Kane

Producer: Richard Kane and Robert Shetterly

Writer: Richard Kane

About the writer, director and producer:

Richard Kane is a director of arts documentaries living on the coast of Maine who celebrates art, creativity and beauty through his filmed stories of artists' lives.

Robert Shetterly is a political artist who created Americans Who Tell the Truth, a series of painted portraits that highlight citizens who courageously address issues of social justice.

Key cast: Ashley Bryan, Nikki Giovanni, Sister Sheila Flynn, Tanya Lee Stone, Nick Clark, Henry Isaacs

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Sales agents, buyers, film festival directors, journalists

Social media handles:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AshleyBryanFilm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/ashleybryan/

Hashtags you use: #ashleybryan

Where was this filmed? Little Cranberry Island, Maine; South Africa; Kenya; Portland, ME

Funders: Individual donors

Made in association with: The Ashley Bryan Center

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

August 3, 2018, 6pm, University of Southern Maine Wishcamper Center, Lee Room 133

August 19, 2018, 3pm, Great Cranberry Island Historical Society, Cranberry House

October 25, 2018, tba, Arizona Library Association annual conference

January 18, 2019, 4:30pm Carrabassatt Valley Public Library