NEO•GRIOT

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 

Interview with Director Part 1 Category: Blogging An Interview with Faith Trimel Writer, director, and producer of "Family" By Shelton Dickson What does the term "family" mean? Family means a great many things but in the context of this film it is a colloquialism and/or a "code word" used in the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community to denote one who also identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Family also means the community that one who is homosexual must build around themselves for safety and support. Since many same-gender loving people our ousted from their family of origin after declaring their homosexuality, the friends in the gay and lesbian's life, surpass typical friendships, and often become surrogates relationships to the lost mother, father, brother, sister, etc. The same needs of interdependence such as emotional, physical, and spiritual support are now found in people without blood ties; however, they're family in every since of the word, and actually, even better because they chose each other. Finally, family means what it has traditionally meant: all those with whom one is genetically tied. What makes them "family" as opposed to just relations is the deeper level of love—unconditional love and support. Why do you wear so many hats? Because I've had to. Budgetary restrictions have required that I learn to do what I couldn't pay others for. And I don't know if it's me or just the will of the universe, but I've had so many people declare their support and assistance on this and many other projects initially but later when I call them up, they either didn't return my calls or didn't have the time. I refuse to shelf my projects/dreams because someone flakes. Many won't/don't share my same commitment and passion. Also, if some others made it through the initial stages, eventually, they'd turn in shoddy work or lose focus, so there again, I'd have to bring up the rear alone, anyway. You know, finally, there's also the more positive reason in that I thrive on challenges; I stretch with each new responsibility, and I believe I have the innate ability to juggle and excel at many tasks simultaneously. I know what I want and less checking in and collaborating on every point helps manifest my vision much clearer and much sooner. You're mighty sure of yourself? That's right. I am, especially in this domain. I dedicate so much time in work and study. When I'm on a project, I become consumed by it and devote 12-14 hours or more a day working on it. I read books, get advisors, mentors, and study models of what has been successful for others. So, it's not so much me being sure of myself as an artist as me being sure of myself as a committed, driven being who's relentless. I complete any task set before me. And finally, with filmmaking, I found what I was meant to do and so many of the elements that confound others come so easily to me. Now, by the same token, I can barely wash a load of clothes or remember to pay bills on time, but I can write and make movies and music pretty darn well. How did you come up with the concept of Family? I was jogging early one morning and while watching the sunrise, the story came to me in vivid scenes, character's names, and scenarios. I was so passionate about the story from the very beginning, that I did what I rarely do: beeline home without completing my workout to draft an outline. I was barely able to catch my breath all doused in sweat jotting down the story details flowing out of me, and then later that evening at work, (I was a server in a restaurant) I continued exploring more. This was in the summer of 2002 and I have no idea why I would write "Family," a story about best lesbian girlfriends; I guess I was just a conduit; the relationships and situations in "Family" were none I could personally relate to, meaning: a group of close girlfriends supporting each other and in the closet at thirty. I have great friends, but I call myself something of a solo traveler throughout life. What is the film's message? Theme? To state it on-the-nose: one finding the courage, to make the choice, to reveal that one is homosexual regardless of the consequences for the secondary gain of a sense of integrity and peace found only when one lives authentically. I believe that when one is authentic, they can be honored, appreciated, and loved for who they truly are; they can welcome those in their life who offer the true unconditional love and support. On the other hand, this same act of "rebellion" in this society and the reactions of those in our lives tell us those who are unworthy of further commitment and affection from us. Do you have that kind of bond with a group of women now? You know, I'm from a family that's majority women and we've all never been that close, and while I share deep, rich friendships with various women, I really haven't and probably never will have that kind of female clique/crew of the friends in "Family". It's never worked for me. I've seen some though, and I do believe in the friendships that I created with the characters in the movie. I think it gives and honest portraiture of lesbian friendship in which the majority are African American. Really, how? There is the banter, the teasing, the rivalry, the mild physical attraction to one another, as well as the support. These women are true friends who push each other to be a better version of them; they "check" each other, as necessary, using teasing and banter to hold the other accountable and insure that they squarely face the truth. Also, in the case of a couple of characters, they were lovers before friends. I've often seen the incestuous in the lesbian community when friend become lovers and a friend's ex-lover and current friend date; it's the insistence of most lesbians to remain in the convenient relationship-pool rather than step out and find new suitors. How many lead/principal characters do you have? I have six leads {Faith blows out a deep breath} Why so many? Believe me, that number was cut down significantly. There were many reasons but the most important one was a desire to show the myriad of lives within lesbian community, especially because they are typically displayed so one-dimensionally. I found each character to be a kind of archetype of lesbians or just archetypes period, to deal with the issues that a same-gender-loving person faces. Kemp, the lothario/the lover, must deal with celebrity, money, and status like Mars; Felicia, the leader and seeker of truth, has to deal with integrity to grow and become a better woman and artist. She is motivated by love and art like Artemis. Tonya is the innocent child-like character who does it all for love, like the archetype of Venus. I could go on and on and many might challenge my position or accuracy but this was something that played in my mind as I wrote the screenplay. So many obstacles befall a lesbian, particularly, one of color who ventures forth to be honest about who she is; since I had a platform to convey this, I wanted to explore as many as I could.

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