Chicago Feminist Film Festival 2019 – Your Hair is Cute
Your Hair is Cute is a poetic monologue addressing the subtleties of everyday racism faced by women of color.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Cíntia Taylor
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I suppose every film is personal but this one really came from a deep, intimate, soft spot. I was actually approached by a stranger who called for me in a public space only to tell me that my hair was cute. It's always hard to react in these situations when they obviously mean no harm (probably the exact opposite) but their comments do come from a place of racism. I mean, people of color have been in Europe since the 15th century: why is afro hair still an exotic thing? And all of my life I've had to deal with similar comments regarding my hair, my skin complexion... I was once told by a Caucasian friend of my mother that while her skin was like pure milk mine was more like a capuccino. People don't realize how these comments deeply affect our own self-image. So you go on saying thank you to people for these highly racist-charged well-intended comments. So this film was a way to express what I really wanted to tell the lady who said my hair was cute. This is a sort of 'enough is enough' expression.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
For the same reason why anyone watches any other film: to understand better the world surrounding us, to get a grip on our humanity. For some, this film may feel way too familiar and that may bring some comfort, that they're not alone; for others, this may be an awakening and might help them realize that even the most innocent of gestures should be well thought through.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
I think the film goes beyond the theme of racism, to be honest. My sound designer, Romane, told me that she felt so connected to the film, not because of skin color (she's Caucasian) but because it challenged perceptions. As a sound engineer, she is often not taken seriously because her profession is still regarded as something men do. She often hears sexist remarks and feels she has to prove herself more than any of her male colleagues. So despite this film touching upon subtle racism, you can translate this frustration and pain onto many other forms of discrimination.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
When I started writing down my feelings, I didn't have any intention of making a film of it. It was supposed to be a poem. But then I thought it could be interesting to make an artistic poetic video. Initially, I thought of adjusting the poem into a more visual script, fewer words, more imagery. So I re-wrote the poem into a monologue and showed it to Débora, warning her this was just a draft of the message behind the film. When Débora read the monologue she cried, and I immediately realized how important these words were. Then it was a matter of thinking visuals that could convey some of the messages I wanted to get across. That included the way Women of Color are perceived in Western societies, but also colorism. Both Débora and I married white Dutchmen and have both been accused of denying our color and heritage for marrying white men. I think that's as serious and absurd as inter-ethnic racism. So I did include some visuals that reflected not only the struggle against racism and colorism but also the inner struggle of identity and belonging. We filmed it in one very long day at the studios of SAE Institute in Amsterdam, where I teach documentary.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Everyone who's seen the film didn't remain neutral. Both people of color and Caucasians alike felt strong emotions and goosebumps. Everyone had to exhale deeply after the last frame. A big part of it has to do with Débora's performance. She's so intense and so truthful to her emotions that you just cannot not feel her pain all the way through.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
So far not, but the feedback has come only from friends to whom I've shown the film. I think the real test and feedback will come now that it's premiering in Chicago. And I am definitely looking forward to hearing from strangers what they think about the film.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Like with any story I tell or share, I want to be able to reach people and inspire them. This film may have started because of an incident that happened to me but it's actually a story exclusive to me. It's the story of every woman and every being that felt treated unfairly and was blinded and muted by privilege.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Everyone is needed if we want to spread the word. We all have our roles to play. The media can report more on this topic; festival directors and programmers can choose to show more diverse films by diverse ethnic and gender filmmakers; producers need to start giving out chances to filmmakers with different views and messages that challenge the status quo; and distributors and sales agents should ensure we have a legion of different styles, voices, stories, and makers on offer in the most popular channels out there. So we need everybody if we want to amplify this message.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
To me, this film is a great conversation prompter. Not only with your friends and family but also as a way to start self-analyzing our behavior, attitudes, language... I mean, why are we still using terms such as 'nude' or 'skin color' to address shades of beige? How is that inclusive of black, Asian, or Latino women who have a different skin tone from Caucasians? Language is quite important and a great step into understanding and realizing how racism is so intertwined in our culture.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
It's actually the first line of the monologue: what are you afraid of? Because at least I cannot find any other reason than fear to justify discrimination. Fear of jobs being taken by immigrants; fear of losing national identity (whatever that is nowadays); fear of being converted to other religions; you name it. Just look at the rise of the far-right in the Western world: in very simplistic terms, they're rising because they're touching upon people's fears. And when we are afraid, we lose discernment, we go into defense mode, into our primal reactions. Fear is never good. So I guess we all need to confess to our fears and understand what makes us so afraid before we can move on as a society.
Would you like to add anything else?
I think we're in a key moment in history that will define us for the long term. Filmmakers have a mission to share the stories that many want to be silenced. It's important that both the media and festival directors and programmers provide the platform these filmmakers need to convey their message and stories. We need to celebrate our diversity in order to live as true humanity.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I'm working on a bunch of projects at different stages in both film and theatre. I should be premiering three more short films this year and possibly a new play. Most of the crew from Your Hair is Cute is involved in at least one of the projects. Débora Santiago is currently more involved with teaching theatre in schools but we are talking about a possible new project together for this year still.
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
Your Hair is Cute
Your Hair is Cute is a poetic monologue addressing the subtleties of everyday racism faced by women of color.
Length: 3:36
Director: Cíntia Taylor
Producer: Cíntia Taylor
Writer: Cíntia Taylor
About the writer, director and producer:
CÍNTIA TAYLOR is a writer and director of Portuguese-Angolan descent based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Her work focusses on female-centric stories, where she challenges taboos and preconceptions surrounding the idea of womanhood.
Key cast: Débora Santiago
Looking for: film festival directors, producers, journalists, buyers, distributors
Facebook: Your Hair is Cute
Website: www.cintiataylor.com
Funders: self-funded
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Chicago Feminist Film Festival - February 28th; waiting on decisions from other festivals throughout February