Pan African Film Festival 2019 – Buffalo Soldiers: A Quest for Freedom
Heroes never die – the hidden heroes of America.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer/Editor/Animator Isabelle Brothers
Watch on Tubi
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
We were amazed that so many African American men fought, spilled blood and died in the face of extreme systematic racism to make America what it is today. Their stories had not only not been told, but were virtually nonexistence in the canon of contemporary American history. The parallels of what they went through over a century ago, and what our black men are still enduring today were spellbinding. We had to not only highlight their achievements, but celebrate them with modernity.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
For perspective. For truth. For bravery. For honor.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Every project is personal as a director. You are consciously or unconsciously giving a bit of yourself to create art. In the case of Buffalo Soldiers, their bravery and courage are themes that cross all ages, backgrounds and beliefs. A lot of our work have spiritual themes as well, which reflect our strong beliefs and upbringing.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
In a documentary if you want to get frustrated and quit, you write the story before you take the journey. The journey is the story. You have to get out of the way. The people you meet, the stories they tell, the experiences you have – they all merge to create something beyond what you ever could have imagined on paper. That's the power of a documentary.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
It has been unbelievable. The way it touches so many people. Everyone who watches it exclaims about how much they learned. You literally can't find this information anywhere without doing the gruelling research yourself. It's not sitting on a shelf in a store, or on Netflix...at least, not yet.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback really reinforced how we felt beginning the journey. Some people who have watched the film can't take the truth it reveals. But that's life. Ignorance is bliss in a sense. But acknowledging the truth is apart of the healing process, and this country is still struggling to heal from its heartbreaking past and present.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We want more people to learn about these incredible individuals and share their stories! They will inspire so many!
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We need producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Blue Fairy, and the Wizard behind the curtain to make our dreams come true! lol
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We want this film to ignite dialogue about the brave African American individuals that served in the military post Civil War. These times are often overlooked because of the complexities of Western expansion and the reconstruction period, but it is a very important place in history that ultimately shaped our country into what it is today.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Who were the Buffalo Soldiers?
Would you like to add anything else?
We hope you enjoy this film as much as we did while making it. These stories are crying to be told! They need you!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Currently we are set to release our new feature film soon "CANDY", a coming of age drama about a young girl on a desperate search for love.
Interview: February 2019
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
Buffalo Soldiers: A Quest for Freedom
Heroes never die – the hidden heroes of America.
Length: 1:35:00
Director: Isabelle Brothers
Producer: Isabelle Brothers
Writer: Isabelle Brothers
About the writer, director and producer:
The ISABELLE BROTHERS are independent filmmakers from Huntsville, Alabama. Utilizing the influential medium of filmmaking, we aspire to provoke self-reflection and conversation in a time where verbal communication and understanding is diminishing. Our mission is to produce quality African American historical and/or spiritual film content that challenges, educates, inspires and entertains our society and future generations to come.
Looking for: sales agents, journalists, distributors, film festival directors, producers, buyers
Facebook: We Make Dope Movies
Twitter: @isabellebros
Instagram: @isabelleboys
Website: www.isabellebrothers.com
Funders: self-funded