photo by tee smif
having worked with KRSONE, Wise Intelligent and more she has dedicated herself to the work of documenting and preserving Hip Hop culture. this New Orleans, LA native spent some years in Washington DC and Maryland before relocating to Brooklyn in October, 2006. her journey would lead up to her acclaimed film, "I AM SEAN BELL, black boys speak", which made it’s film festival premier at the New Orleans International Human Rights Film Festival.
I AM SEAN BELL, black boys speak from Stacey Muhammad on Vimeo.
in 2005 her first film, “A Glimpse of Heaven, The Legacy of the Million Man March”, screened at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore, MD to rave reviews.A Glimpse of Heaven, the Legacy of the Million Man March Clip from Stacey Muhammad on Vimeo.
Stacey Muhammad has worked with multiple media outlets and hip hop artists, lectured and participated in numerous panel discussions about filmmaking and hip-hop culture. She founded Wildseed Films and has now joined forces in a partnership to form IntelligentSeedz, with Wise Intelligent's Intelligent Kidz, Inc., a Trenton, NJ based youth media organization. established to provide at risk youth with the necessary skill set to tell their unique stories through film, their first short documentary, Dying to Learn, is set for release in October. this sista is truly planting seeds for the future and and building tomorrow's activists.
Stacey is currently in production for two short for documentaries: "I AM SEAN BELL II, black MEN speak" (slated for release in November 2009) and “Out of Our Right Minds, The Rise of Mental Illness amongst Women of Color”…slated to be released January 2010 but I caught up with her with some questions...
me: what inspired you to explore the medium of film?
Stacey Muhammad: I’ve loved film for as long as I can remember. Initially screenwriting was my interest, however I wanted to see my ideas come to life beyond the writing. This led to a desire to acquire the skills needed to actually produce my own projects. So, I embarked upon the journey of studying and learning as much about the filmmaking process as I possibly could by attending film school, workshops, and anything else I could find. I’ve always been drawn to documentary filmmaking, particularly as an activist. It’s a powerful way to communicate with an audience.
me: how do you decide on a topic?
Stacey Muhammad: First and foremost, I consider myself an activist, so I’m drawn to human issues and subjects that enlighten and uplift humanity while challenging us to examine our ideals and issues on this planet. When I chose to do the Sean Bell film, I was extremely disturbed by the verdict and wanted to hear from the children, particularly young black boys, about their thoughts, fears and concerns regarding violence against black men. Most of the topics that interest me, are those subjects that give a voice those often unheard populations of people, who indeed have stories to tell and victories to celebrate.
me: what issues, if any, have you encountered that you felt were due to the fact you are a woman?
Stacey Muhammad: Truthfully, none! Thus far, I’ve been blessed. That’s part of the beauty of independent filmmaking. I don’t feel as if I’m trying to attain a position or to compete with anyone, male or female for anything. I get to create the work I believe is important. If anything, I feel that my work has been celebrated and appreciated more because I’m a woman in a male dominated field.
me: if you could give young filmmakers, male and female, a piece of advice what would it be?
Stacey Muhammad: One thing that I’ve learned is that life is what it is, meaning that everything we do and experience is connected. Often, we try to compartmentalize our lives and deal with different aspects of our experience (be it our personal lives, our career, etc.) Filmmaking, for me, is a spiritual process and journey. I’ve been prepared through life experiences, for each and every topic I choose to explore. So, my advice to any aspiring filmmaker would be to live your life with integrity, take care of yourself, learn as much about your craft as possible, commit to creating the life you desire and expect the universe to grant you everything you ask for.
Stacey Muhammad is an award winning independent filmmaker and activist committed to using the power of media to educate, enlighten and empower and that's why "She's So Fresh"!
so til next week folks! exciting things on deck! planing the next "She's So Fresh" Showcase on 11/5 and so much more, so stay tuned!
peaceandblessings
rox
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