All across Canada, Indigenous artists are reawakening both traditional and contemporary tattoo practices as a way to reclaim their cultures and identities.

Interview with Director Asia Youngman

Watch This Ink Runs Deep here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I wanted to share the knowledge of Indigenous tattooing in Canada and showcase why this practice is significant for the reclamation of our cultures and identities.

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

Audiences should watch this film to learn about tattooing and the importance of this ancestral art form to Indigenous people.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Family and the importance of sharing these teachings with our youth are very prominent themes throughout the film. The overall message is the celebration of pride for who we are and where we come from.

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

The concept for the film had been written and pitched to CBC before I was brought on board to direct. I knew I wanted to shape the conversations with our subjects around the importance of identity, the pride of this revitalization, and the importance of passing along these traditions to our youth. As the only Indigenous key creative on the project, it was vital that the film had an authentic voice and perspective as a way to ensure an accurate representation of Indigenous people on screen.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Many people are surprised that these methods and styles of tattooing exist. I think there is a common misconception that tattoos don’t hold as much meaning because of their overwhelming popularity in mainstream society. However, the reality is that these particular ancestral methods go back thousands of years. They were passed down within families and were gifted to individuals of merit.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I wasn't too surprised that people aren't familiar with these Indigenous tattoo styles since the knowledge isn't too widespread. The overall process of making this film has encouraged me to start researching other tattoo traditions on an international level.

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

As great as film festivals are, I think the best exposure happens online where films are more easily accessible to audiences around the world. I’m looking forward to having the film reach a wider audience on this platform.

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

We are still looking to have our European premiere so it would be great to connect with film festival directors from Europe and international distributors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I hope this film will encourage audience members to educate themselves on the history of colonization in Canada and learn more about Indigenous cultures.

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

What have we learned from the past to make sure we don't repeat our mistakes in the future?

Would you like to add anything else?

I'd like to acknowledge the incredible artists who we featured in the film! Nakkita Trimble, Dion Kaszas, Gregory Williams, Jana Angulalik, Kwiaahwah Jones and Audie Murray. Thank you for trusting me to help share your stories and your beautiful work.

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

I'm currently in development for Game 7 which is a feature-length documentary about the 2011 Stanley Cup Riots. I'm also in pre-production for a short drama/comedy called Hatha which I wrote and will direct in the spring of 2020. In addition, I'm also writing my first feature-length narrative Don't Look Back In Anger which is a coming-of-age story.

Interview: February 2020

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

This Ink Runs Deep

All across Canada, Indigenous artists are reawakening both traditional and contemporary tattoo practices as a way to reclaim their cultures and identities.

Length: 16:25

Director: Asia Youngman

Producer: Kent Donguines, Mack Stannard

Writer: Mack Stannard

About the writer, director and producer:

ASIA YOUNGMAN is an award-winning Indigenous director from Vancouver, Canada. Her films have premiered at a variety of festivals including the Toronto International Film Festival, the Vancouver International Film Festival, and the imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival. Asia has worked on numerous projects commissioned by CBC, Creative BC, Bell Media, TELUS, Human Rights Watch, and Corus Entertainment.

MACK STANNARD is a documentary filmmaker and media producer. He specializes in stories about political struggle and mental health. He has produced work for major networks including CBC and National Geographic.

KENT DONGUINES is a Filipino-Canadian producer based in Vancouver, BC. He has produced numerous short films that have been recognized in local and international film festivals such as the Whistler Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival.

Key cast: Nakkita Trimble, Dion Kaszas, Gregory Williams, Jana Angulalik, Kwiaahwah Jones, Audie Murray

Looking for: buyers, sales agents, distributors, journalists, film festival directors

Facebook: Asia Youngman

Twitter: @AsiaYoungman

Instagram: @asia.youngman

Hashtags used: #ThisInkRunsDeep

Website: www.asiayoungman.com

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: Aimer Films Inc.

Funders: CBC Arts, Creative BC

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Maoriland Film Festival/Otaki, New Zealand - March 22nd at 4:30pm.