UrbanWorld Film Festival 2018 - Unspoken
Based on the novel The Bedhead by Jennifer Grahame, “UNSPOKEN” explores the lives of Caroline and Icy, bound and burdened by duty. The undertones in the story are about two women connected by circumstance, living untold truths and heartbreak.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Danae Grandison
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank you! Well I was inspired to make this film, after I read the book it’s based on “The Bedhead” by Jennifer Grahame. So when I read this book, I looked holistically at these two female characters and I saw layers: colonial residue, systematic breakdown within our gender, and unspoken truths. This story I see is a global thread how relatable it is in lots of cultures.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
I want the audience to watch this film, because as much as we are speaking about such topics, it’s still another conversation.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I’m attracted to themes that allow me to reimagine another reality. I like to deal with entrapment, pre-disposed prejudices, and the opening up of your mind. I’m compelled to change the narrative on stereo-types.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
During its inception I first wrote this script to be filmed in NY. I changed and justified the location being in New York, which worked. Until I realized that this story really needed to take place where it was written and that was Jamaica. I also worked on developing the two women and their experiences for the audience to connect with, as they become the victims of circumstance.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far, I have been receiving good feedback, and appreciate how these two women are resonating with the audience. The sweetest audience response was in a local screening in Jamaica, just to hear how the audience responded to the moments as intended was reaffirming.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
No the feedback has not yet challenged my point of view I find because its global we are all looking scenarios that continue to fit this box.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I hope it helps build my audience for this film.
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 I mentioned earlier, I want it to spark an honest conversation. And to hopefully catch the layers as I pay homage to each character’s perspective because they are all valid to have.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Do you believe she chose this?
Would you like to add anything else?
I found my cast was amazing.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I’m working on the feature length version right now.
Interview: September 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
UNSPOKEN
Based on the novel The Bedhead by Jennifer Grahame, “UNSPOKEN” explores the lives of Caroline and Icy, bound and burdened by duty. The undertones in the story are about two women connected by circumstance, living untold truths and heartbreak.
Length: 12 minutes
Who is being interviewed for this article? Danae Grandison
Director: Danae Grandison
Producer: Danae Grandison
Writer: Danae Grandison
About the writer, director and producer:
DANAE GRANDISON was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. She graduated from School of Visual Arts’ Directing with an M.P.S. in 2016 and holds a B.F.A. in Graphic design and Advertising from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Danae launched her career over 15 years ago in design and advertising. By 2011, she’d discovered her love for creating moving images and went on to win the SVA 16 MM Audience award for her first silent film, Unconditional Love. Danae would follow that up in 2016 with her first wide release, [Re]Defined. And today she’s proud of her newest effort, Unspoken, shot in her hometown Kingston, Jamaica. This literary adaptation speaks to the themes Danae likes to explore – the unsaid truths within a society at large. She is currently developing the feature script for the adaptation.
Danae’s thesis short film “[Re]Defined” premiered at the Oscar qualifying Urban World Film Festival in 2016, and at the L.A. Pan African Film Festival in 2017.
Key cast: The film’s Jamaican born cast includes female leads actress/model Katrina Spencer making her film debut and Kimberly Patterson, most known for her debut role as lead actress in Nick Cannon’s “King of the Dancehall.” The male leads are Hector Lincoln, known for his work on “Law & Order: SVU,” “Orange is the New Black,” and his recurring role on the top Jamaican TV series “Royal Palm Estate,” and accomplished film and stage actor Jerry Benzwick.
Looking for: producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: Unspoken
Instagram: @dir.danae
Funders: Danae Grandison, Dennis Smith
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? at UrbanWorld Film Festival and others on the circuit (TBD)