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Women in Film
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Exploring Racism and Christianity in my Newest Film: "Meet Kenny"

A few years back I used to share my thoughts left and right anywhere I could regarding politics, religion and social inequalities.

Facebook, I have come to find out, has saved all these "memories"...that were, in retrospect, a bit more dignified that the current social media chatter embraced by armchair activists during this election season.
But like today's social activists, many of my thoughts, feelings and points of view, didn't make too much of a dent fixing the social issues that matter to me. (otherwise we wouldn't be sitting knee deep into the most embarrassing election season in recent history)

But that is why visual media is so important and one of the many reasons I went back to school: to write, produce, and direct films like "Meet Kenny."

“Meet Kenny” is a film that was inspired by many people I know and the lives they are currently living.  They are people that preach loving one another, but that one another doesn't include people of color - regardless of how well dressed, cultured, educated and successful -we- are.


Meet Kenny from Ana Lydia Monaco on Vimeo.

People like those portrayed in my film are our well-intentioned friends, family, coworkers and neighbors...and they need to see this film.

Because before we decide on who to vote for, and more importantly, who to love, we need to remember that we can't judge others simply on the basis of their skin color, race or ethnicity.

Ana Lydia

Check-Out my Documentaries!

Last semester I took a college course that I mistakingly thought would help me create better vlogs. I figured this was a skill I needed since I tend to lag with my blog writing. Vlogging is quicker...or so I thought.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, this course was a bit more involved than the course description eluded to:

The class was intense, it was creative, and it also awoke a passion within me that threw my life - and career - for a tailspin.

Or, as my friends like to remind me: We knew it. (I guess my second life chapter calling was more obvious to others than to me!)

By the end of the semester I ended up researching and writing a treatment (with no prior experience what-so-ever), writing a script, and directing two documentaries...with the support of two amazing teams that I would have never met if it weren't for this class.

Without further ado and details that will bore you to tears, I invite you to take a look at both documentaries and share your thoughts on either topic (that with obvious reasons, are near and dear to me):


"Light & Noir" Exiles and Emigres in Hollywood, 1933-1950

This is a sponsored post. All opinions my own.

I haven't mentioned, until now, but I directed my first two mini-documentaries this semester. The one I'm proudest of, is the one that was inspired by my treatment of a student History Department thesis about the "dirty business" of the film industry in the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Within this thesis I found a rough gem that I wanted to explore further: The Hollywood Production Code, also known as the Hays Code of the 1930's; a morality code and precursor to the TV & Movie rating system.

Although I was already a huge fan of this era, I was ignorant to what went on during this time behind the scenes. Through my documentary research and re-watching films with a new perspective, really brought to light stories that I was completely unaware of.

Another Hollywood behind-the-scenes history lesson is coming in the place of a special exhibit at the Skirball Center in Los Angeles aptly titled "Light & Noir" Exiles and Emigres in Hollywood, 1933-1950 which is open to the public until March 1, 2015.

This exhibit explores how the experiences of German-speaking exiles and emigres who fled Nazi Europe -many of them Jews- influenced classic films of Hollywood's Golden Age, such as Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity, Casablanca, to name a few. 

The exhibition will also spotlight acclaimed of actors, directors, writers, and composers, focusing on their impact on American cinema and culture; and through a never-before-assembled selection of film footage, drawings, props, costumes, posters, photographs, and memorabilia.

Light & Noir tells the story of Hollywood’s formative era through the lens of the émigré experience, focusing on genres in which the exiles and émigrés were especially productive: the exile film, the anti-Nazi film, film noir, and comedy. 

The exhibit features costumes worn by Marlene Dietrich, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Joan Crawford; as well as the Max Factor Scroll of Fame, and the original props from the set of Rick's Cafe in Casablanca.

The exhibition will also demonstrate how the experiences of exodus and exile affected the lives and work of emigres in many different ways - just as it does now...and just like my story and my perspective on the past influenced how I viewed the thesis that inspired my first mini-documentary.

In addition, various activities and film screenings will take place to further explore this era through the eyes and experiences of experts. I will be at be at the History of Fashion and Makeup talks on Sunday, December 7, and hope you can join me!

If you are a lover of film and obsessed with history and Hollywood as I am, you will not want to miss the exhibit

READINGS AND TALKS

Gabriela Hernandez—Bésame Cosmetics*
Sunday, December 7, 2:30 p.m.
*client
FILM SCREENINGS
Somewhere in the Night
Tuesday, January 6, 1:30 p.m.

The Woman in the Window
Thursday, January 8, 8:00 p.m.*

The Stranger
Tuesday, January 13, 1:30 p.m.


Confessions of a Nazi Spy
Tuesday, February 3, 1:30 p.m.

Act of Violence
Tuesday, February 10, 1:30 p.m.

The File on Thelma Jordon
Thursday, February 12, 8:00 p.m.*

From Hitler to Hollywood
Sunday, March 1, 11:00 a.m.

______

Admission to this special exhibit is included with your Skirball Cultural Center Admission, or Free to all on Thursdays.

This was a sponsored post. All opinions my own.
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