Cara Romero: Following the Light
A half-hour documentary on contemporary fine art photographer and Chemehuevi citizen Cara Romero.
Interview with Director/Producer/Editor Kaela Waldstein
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
It was an honor to be asked by the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) to make a film on their alum, Cara Romero. The initial idea was a 5min short, but as I got into learning Cara's story, I saw that there was a much larger picture that deserved at least a half-hour treatment. Every work she does is steeped in history, and story, and carries a message. I am thankful to IAIA for the creative freedom to let me run with this idea and offer support along the way!
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
If you're watching this in Southern California, this film will give you a deeper appreciation of the land you're on. We hear "Land Back" and "You Are On Native Land" a lot, but may not have a picture of what that means, or what that feels like. This is one aspect of Cara's work - cultural memory and collective history spanning so many geographic areas, but especially when it comes to Southern California tribes. I am proud of how this story connects with audiences both familiar and unfamiliar with Cara's work.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The artistic process itself is deeply personal, and that is what I as a filmmaker explore. The Arts are undervalued yet they are a gateway to profound transformation. There are many films out there that speak to direct action - politically, socially, environmentally - and these are important. My films aim to cause an emotional shift that can't help but result in positive change.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
I always feel weird calling myself a director or writer when it comes to documentary filmmaking - I am the one being directed by the story, I'm in service to what continues to unfold whether I'm here or not. My job starts with listening, being sensitive, and being open to learning. So basically, I have my process as a filmmaker, but I always let stories take their own form, with my own creative force working in service to those stories.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
When I first showed the cut to Cara, the first thing she expressed was her appreciation for my cultural sensitivity. From how her family is portrayed, to how I approached California Indigenous history, which is a very difficult and painful subject. Others who are familiar with her work have told me it's given them a deeper appreciation; others have simply told me it's a well-crafted story, and that means a lot to me.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I am surprised that the feedback has not challenged me. As a non-Native filmmaker, I am always expecting to get some kind of pushback for working with Indigenous subject matter, but time and again, I've been approached by Indigenous people who have only shown appreciation for how the stories are told, for being seen and for helping build bridges.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I am in seed-spreading mode - the more visibility this film gets, the more it will grow in the long run. Just like the artistic process, I'm open to where this film goes, I just want to see it thrive.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
There has already been some significant interest in distributing this film. I'm exploring options, so at this point, I really need good advice from seasoned, tuned-in people who have the film's best interest at heart.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
If people are moved, if they get chills, if it inspires the next generation of artists, this film has done its job.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
I'm always interested in talking about how a non-Native filmmaker like me got so involved in the Native community. People like to hear about that.
Would you like to add anything else?
I want to thank the Native arts community, especially of Santa Fe, for giving me a chance, for inviting me back again and again, and for your trust and friendship.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I am developing a feature documentary with Leah Mata Fragua (who is featured in this film as one of Cara's key collaborators) on some of the most misunderstood and damaging perceptions of California Indigenous history. It's a film that intends to spotlight that history more truthfully, in a way that promotes healing, reconciliation, and reciprocal relations in the true sense of the words.
Interview: February 2023
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
Cara Romero: Following the Light
A half-hour documentary on contemporary fine art photographer and Chemehuevi citizen Cara Romero.
Length: 27:09
Director: Kaela Waldstein
Producer: Kaela Waldstein
Writer: Kaela Waldstein
About the writer, director and producer:
KAELA WALDSTEIN grew up around fine craftsmanship in the diverse city of San Francisco and currently lives in Santa Fe, NM. She applies the talents she has developed over the course of her life to the craft of filmmaking. An early fascination with the art of storytelling inspired her to teach herself how to write (once upon a time = wussaponatim). At San Francisco School of the Arts High School, she studied visual arts and gained a refined sense of color, balance and space. However, it was a social documentation class that Kaela took while studying Sociology at UC Santa Cruz that triggered an interest in human-centered video storytelling. A self-taught filmmaker, it is her honor to have worked extensively with the Indigenous arts community of Santa Fe, NM (a central hub for Native artists from around the country) making short documentaries on their work. She brings her exceptional communication skills, emotional intelligence, keen visual sense and intellect to the art of video production.
Key cast: Cara Romero (main subject)
Looking for: distributors
Facebook: Kaela Waldstein
Instagram: @mountainmovermedia
Hashtags used: #art #contemporaryart #nativeart #indigenousart #chemehuevi #california
Website: mountainmovermedia.com
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)
Funders: Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
See www.cararomero.doc for upcoming screenings
SANTA FE FILM FESTIVAL/Santa Fe - Saturday, Feb 25th, 12:30 pm - Native Voices Shorts Program - New Mexico History Museum
DURANGO INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL - Friday, March 3rd, 10:00am - Arts & Education - Native Cinema Program - Gaslight 2 & Sunday, March 5th, 9:00am
Arts & Education - Native Cinema Program - Animas City Theater
SEBASTOPOL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL - Saturday March 18th, 3:00pm - Sebastopol Arts Center
SPE MEDIA FESTIVAL (SOCIETY FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC EDUCATION) - Saturday March 18th, 1:56pm - Women’s Film & Video Festival - Sheraton Denver Downtown
LOVE YOUR SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL SANFORD, FLORIDA - Saturday, February 11th, 3:00 p.m. - Documentary Shorts Block - Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
LAS CRUCES INT’L FILM FESTIVAL - April 12th - 16th - Screening date/location TBA