Ferguson Rises
How does a father find purpose in pain? In 2014, Michael Brown Sr.’s son was killed by White police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, an event that fueled the global Black Lives Matter movement. But his personal story seeking justice and healing has not been told until now.
Interview with Director/Producer Mobolaji Olambiwonnu
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
When Michael Brown Jr. was killed, he was just one year younger than I had been when I had my life-altering experience with the police. I couldn’t help but think that it could have been me; what happened to Michael Brown Jr. could have easily happened to me or to any other Black or Brown teen.
At the time of Michael’s killing, my wife was seven months pregnant with our only child, our son. I knew that if nothing changed, he would have to face these same dangers and injustices every day of his life too. It became clear to me, at that time, that I could not just sit there and do nothing. I wanted to someday be able to tell my son when he asked what I did at that crucial moment in history, that I did something meaningful, and that I at least tried to make a difference for him and other people. It is because of this that I made Ferguson Rises.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Ferguson Rises is the only film that intimately follows Michael Brown Sr., whose unarmed teenage son’s killing by police in 2014 sparked a global movement, and goes deep into the aftermath and protests. It also highlights the diverse voices of community members: from residents to police officers, to business owners and those who chose to say "enough is enough" by taking to the streets for a record 400 days straight. These varied perspectives are interwoven with a rarely seen portrayal of a Black father’s grief, to help us understand the human side of this tragedy and to give us an intimate view of what it means to be a Black man in America.
Ferguson Rises is ultimately about empathy. We sit with a grieving father, with police officers, with community members who are outraged at this murder, and with community members who are angry at protesters. We see that they are all human, and ultimately, they are capable of growth and healing, and that we may have something to learn from them.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As a Black father, I have tried to convey several things with this film: the reality of what happened in Ferguson and what happens to Black people on a daily basis; the generally unrecognized human suffering, the rarely seen vulnerability and strength of Black fathers and Black men in this country; the common humanity that we all share; and the reframing of our suffering into hope, community and action.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
We started shooting without a script back in 2014 when things began happening and as we met people the films evolved from being just cemeteries of the community to having Michael Sr. as a central figure that grounded us emotionally in what the community was experiencing. So we now have Michael woven as a throughline between all the other characters and moments of the film. This was not the case initially because we also ran out of money before we could fully do this.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
So far the feedback has been powerful and moving. Audiences resonate with the film overall. They are most moved by the personal connection to Michael Sr. and the fact that while the film is sad, it is also hopeful.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
There has been some feedback from people who wanted the film to be more radical but for the most part, they understand that the person is very radical.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Through We Are Moving Stories, we hope to bring context and empathy to a wider, global audience. While this takes place in a small town in America, these themes impact the world.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We’re open to a variety of partnerships, including hosting screenings with facilitated discussions. We meant the film to be used as a tool to help young men find constructive ways to deal with their emotions, particularly those that could potentially lead to violence when not dealt with properly.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
Ultimately, I want this film to act as a catalyst for eradicating racism. We want people to watch it and see the humanity in everyone and then take action through facilitating screenings and workshops in their communities that get people discussing how to move past racial and cultural challenges.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How do a father and a community find purpose in their pain? What would the world look like without racism? What would be possible?
Would you like to add anything else?
As an African, this is also my apology to African Americans for not listening and not understanding our shared plight when I first arrived in America as a youth. It took me experiencing similar things to understand and I hope that the rest of the global non-black community can choose a less painful path to understanding since they will likely never experience what I or others did.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
We are developing other projects around civil rights and social justice. We are also open to other projects that come from like-minded people and companies.
Interview: July 2022
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
Ferguson Rises
Length:
1:21:58
Writer/Director
MOBOLAJI OLAMBIWONNU is a graduate of UCLA and AFI. He is the recipient of the prestigious Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Directors Guild of America Student Filmmaker Award. Besides freelance film work, MOBOLAJI has also worked in the fields of education, conflict resolution, and community organizing. His community-based experience is the conscience behind his work. Ferguson Rises is MOBOLAJI’S first feature film.
Producer
MOBOLAJI OLAMBIWONNU is a graduate of UCLA and AFI. He is the recipient of the prestigious Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Directors Guild of America Student Filmmaker Award. Besides freelance film work, MOBOLAJI has also worked in the fields of education, conflict resolution, and community organizing. His community-based experience is the conscience behind his work. Ferguson Rises is MOBOLAJI’S first feature film.
DAVID OYELOWO is an award-winning actor known for his role as Martin Luther King Jr. in the movie Selma and many other notable roles in film. His company Yoruba Saxon’s produced NIGHTINGALE (HBO), CAPTIVE (Paramount), A UNITED KINGDOM (Fox Searchlight), COME AWAY (Relativity Media), FIVE NIGHTS IN MAINE (FilmRise), and THE WATER MAN, directed by David (Shiv Hans, Harpo, RLJE, Netflix) and SOLITARY (BRON Studios)
JESSICA OYELOWO is a producing partner with DAVID OYELOWO in Yoruba/Saxon Productions. They have a first-look deal with Disney to develop and produce family-oriented content.
TANAYI SEABROOK has performed multiple roles in front of and behind the camera over the past 15 years. She recently won a local Emmy for producing and has worked in the capacity of producer for many years.
TJ ODEBUNMI has extensive experience as a writer and story analyst. In 2002, ODEBUNMI leveraged his vast business, political and media contacts in Africa to assist in the successful launch of The Africa Channel.
DAISY MO is also a West Point Graduate, and a former Captain in the United States Army. She brings those skills along with an extensive fiction writing background to her first role as a producer on Ferguson Rises.
LISA SMITHLINE is an innovative leader in the cause marketing field. As an impact producer and marketing strategist Lisa creates dynamic multi-platform distribution campaigns using film and new media. She currently works for the firm Moca Media creating highly successful impact campaigns for films.
TAMIKA LAMISON is an award-winning producer, director, and actor who is a founding member of Philmco and Make A Film Foundation a non-profit that grants 'film wishes' to children who have serious or life-threatening medical conditions by teaming them with noted actors, writers and directors who help them create short film legacies.
NICK MOON is a former executive at Yoruba/Saxon Productions founded by David and Jessica Oyelowo. He is passionate about spotlighting stories that unapologetically showcase humanity and evoke empathy.
Key cast:
Interviewees: Michael Brown Sr., father of Michael Brown Jr.; Tory Russell, St. Louis resident, Co-Founder, Hands Up United; Rev. Osagyefo Sekou, St. Louis resident, Organizer, Fellowship of Reconciliation; Jeff Ahrens, Ferguson resident; Susan and Ank Ankebrand, Ferguson residents; Rev. Renita Green (Lamkin), St. Louis resident, Pastor; Heather Taylor, St. Louis Police Sgt., Homicide Division; Gary Wiegert, retired St. Louis Police Sgt.; Cathy “Mama Cat” Daniels, St. Louis resident, Activist/Founder, Pot Bangerz; Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, St. Louis resident, Author of Ferguson and Faith; Montague Simmons, St. Louis resident, Chair, Organization of Black Struggle
Looking for:
distributors, film festival directors
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/ferguson_rises
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ferguson_rises/
Hashtags used:
#fergusonrises #blm #crt #blackfilmmakers
More info:
Where can I watch it now?
Amazon Prime and iTunes