https://blackgirlnerds.com/director-janicza-bravo-calls-the-shots/
Auteur Indie director Janicza Bravo doesn’t just want a seat at the table. She wants to design the place settings. She wants to challenge the other diners while making the table accessible and beautiful. She doesn’t want a hand up. She wants objectors to get out of her way. Bravo may have had her background in the theater, but her vision was made for the screen. She has a style all of her own, and this awards season, Janicza Bravo makes good on her potential with her latest film, Zola.
In March of 2022, awards season is upon us and Zola is a contender for several Independent Spirit Awards and has also snagged 9 nominations for the Black Reel Awards. Awards season can be a conflicting time for film creators. BGN sat down with Bravo over the phone on February 18, 2022, to discuss her thoughts on awards, some of her directorial choices on Zola, and expose why it deserves to be seen as a piece of art.
Some creatives have complicated feelings about awards. Some people think it’s great to be recognized for their hard work, while others believe they’re playing into the “machine.” Where do you fall on that spectrum?
You know, I’ve been making work for quite some time, and most of the work I’ve made has gone ignored or dismissed. I’m not really hanging my hat on this, but that said, the measure of the award, the tangible award, is you walk into a room, and something becomes easier by 5 or 10%. Do I want to wear a really cool outfit and stand in front of a bunch of people and say really smart words that make me sound really f*cking sexy? Sure, sure! But I’d also like to think that there is a breath of a career in front of me.
What keeps you grounded when considering the road-blocks?
I have to remind myself to do a gut check. Pedro Almodóvar never got a TV deal, you know? David Lynch made tons of movies that have changed my life that most people thought were freak sh*t. Rainer Fassbinder is one of the reasons I thought I could be a director and nobody ever knew who he was in Hollywood. When I can remind myself of that, it’s super helpful. I’m ultimately less concerned with prizes. I just want the road to be a little easier. I want to stop auditioning in every room that I walk into.
What was the connection you felt to the story of Zola and to Aziah King?
My job beyond my job, which, yes, to direct the film, was to protect this woman. Protect Aziah King who told this story. Part of directing is to protect my actors, and make sure they feel heard and cared for.
One of the stories behind the original script, and directors is the initial draft and ideas felt exploitative. I believe it speaks volumes when you say it was a priority to take care of [King], because it’s so easy to become manipulated in her position.
Absolutely! I think there’s a juicy conversation to be had around what our responsibility is when we work with real people and use their life as part of our storytelling. I have a lot to gain from doing a good job. I could easily walk away when the project wrapped and say my goodbyes, but there’s something transactional [in those relationships]. I felt I owed [King] and that we were forever tethered.
I can think of several examples where a director had the opposite idea and lesser success.
Listen, I’m not going to give examples because it’s going to look like I’m trying to start some rap war! Don’t get me wrong, we love a rap war, but it’s Black History Month; who has the time?
And this Black History Month people have been trying it so I won’t ask you to contribute to the messiness this time! Instead, was there a scene that you really loved in Zola?
In the whole film? I would say it’s what I refer to as “@Stephanie” which is Riley Keough’s retelling of the film basically. I would say it was one of my favorites only because I laughed. I generally do not laugh, like, we’re making a movie, what are we laughing about? Also, there’s usually always something stressful happening. But we laughed the entire time shooting her version of the story, and it was one of those moments that I thought I can’t believe I’m getting away with this.
Were there any scenes or setups that presented a challenge for you? What did you do to overcome it?
I could point to any scene in the film and tell you something about it! But off the top of my head, editorially, it was the sex montage. The sex montage is ultimately about looking at how this is our filthiest moment in the movies, but it’s also in the movie where you have to lay out all of the cards. We actually have to show the thing we’ve been talking about. How do we earn the male nudity in this film without turning off the audience – where the audience feels the film has earned it?
On the one hand, you want to take care of the audience, on the other, you want to challenge them to analyze their boundaries.
Right. There were people in the audience who are women who have done this work. I felt I had to take care of them first. And if I don’t show it like it is, they’re going to really feel the pain.
Where on earth did you find the girls in stuck cars videos?
Car Stuck Girls is something I’ve loved for a very long time. I don’t remember my exact introduction to it except that it was something that my first roommate after college loved and we used to make our own version of them. We didn’t have a car so we would do stuck girls and like bicycles or a cart, just really dumb, dumb sh*t. But it was a kink that immediately fascinated me and one of those kinks that makes you feel like – oh, the world is so much larger than I understand.
Would you say you have any directorial easter eggs that you put into your films? Is there anything Classic Janicza?
I think my photography. I tend to shoot in the proscenium. I really like hanging out in the wide. I’m not gonna go for the close-up, or tons of coverage. It’s not that I don’t like the close-up, I just like to think globally, so I’m really attracted to the juicy wide. In the theater, if you’re in the audience and you’re watching the performer, you don’t get a close-up. There’s no shot in Zola that is arbitrary. The film is littered with surprises for repeat viewers.
You can find Bravo’s work on episodes in popular series like In Treatment, Them, and Atlanta. Next, she’ll be directing an adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Beloved. Zola is currently available to watch on Showtime or VOD.
Auteur Indie director Janicza Bravo doesn’t just want a seat at the table. She wants to design the place settings. She wants to challenge the other diners while making the table accessible and beautiful. She doesn’t want a hand up. She wants objectors to get out of her way. Bravo may have had her background in the theater, but her vision was made for the screen. She has a style all of her own, and this awards season, Janicza Bravo makes good on her potential with her latest film, Zola.
In March of 2022, awards season is upon us and Zola is a contender for several Independent Spirit Awards and has also snagged 9 nominations for the Black Reel Awards. Awards season can be a conflicting time for film creators. BGN sat down with Bravo over the phone on February 18, 2022, to discuss her thoughts on awards, some of her directorial choices on Zola, and expose why it deserves to be seen as a piece of art.
Some creatives have complicated feelings about awards. Some people think it’s great to be recognized for their hard work, while others believe they’re playing into the “machine.” Where do you fall on that spectrum?
You know, I’ve been making work for quite some time, and most of the work I’ve made has gone ignored or dismissed. I’m not really hanging my hat on this, but that said, the measure of the award, the tangible award, is you walk into a room, and something becomes easier by 5 or 10%. Do I want to wear a really cool outfit and stand in front of a bunch of people and say really smart words that make me sound really f*cking sexy? Sure, sure! But I’d also like to think that there is a breath of a career in front of me.
What keeps you grounded when considering the road-blocks?
I have to remind myself to do a gut check. Pedro Almodóvar never got a TV deal, you know? David Lynch made tons of movies that have changed my life that most people thought were freak sh*t. Rainer Fassbinder is one of the reasons I thought I could be a director and nobody ever knew who he was in Hollywood. When I can remind myself of that, it’s super helpful. I’m ultimately less concerned with prizes. I just want the road to be a little easier. I want to stop auditioning in every room that I walk into.
What was the connection you felt to the story of Zola and to Aziah King?
My job beyond my job, which, yes, to direct the film, was to protect this woman. Protect Aziah King who told this story. Part of directing is to protect my actors, and make sure they feel heard and cared for.
One of the stories behind the original script, and directors is the initial draft and ideas felt exploitative. I believe it speaks volumes when you say it was a priority to take care of [King], because it’s so easy to become manipulated in her position.
Absolutely! I think there’s a juicy conversation to be had around what our responsibility is when we work with real people and use their life as part of our storytelling. I have a lot to gain from doing a good job. I could easily walk away when the project wrapped and say my goodbyes, but there’s something transactional [in those relationships]. I felt I owed [King] and that we were forever tethered.
I can think of several examples where a director had the opposite idea and lesser success.
Listen, I’m not going to give examples because it’s going to look like I’m trying to start some rap war! Don’t get me wrong, we love a rap war, but it’s Black History Month; who has the time?
And this Black History Month people have been trying it so I won’t ask you to contribute to the messiness this time! Instead, was there a scene that you really loved in Zola?
In the whole film? I would say it’s what I refer to as “@Stephanie” which is Riley Keough’s retelling of the film basically. I would say it was one of my favorites only because I laughed. I generally do not laugh, like, we’re making a movie, what are we laughing about? Also, there’s usually always something stressful happening. But we laughed the entire time shooting her version of the story, and it was one of those moments that I thought I can’t believe I’m getting away with this.
Were there any scenes or setups that presented a challenge for you? What did you do to overcome it?
I could point to any scene in the film and tell you something about it! But off the top of my head, editorially, it was the sex montage. The sex montage is ultimately about looking at how this is our filthiest moment in the movies, but it’s also in the movie where you have to lay out all of the cards. We actually have to show the thing we’ve been talking about. How do we earn the male nudity in this film without turning off the audience – where the audience feels the film has earned it?
On the one hand, you want to take care of the audience, on the other, you want to challenge them to analyze their boundaries.
Right. There were people in the audience who are women who have done this work. I felt I had to take care of them first. And if I don’t show it like it is, they’re going to really feel the pain.
Where on earth did you find the girls in stuck cars videos?
Car Stuck Girls is something I’ve loved for a very long time. I don’t remember my exact introduction to it except that it was something that my first roommate after college loved and we used to make our own version of them. We didn’t have a car so we would do stuck girls and like bicycles or a cart, just really dumb, dumb sh*t. But it was a kink that immediately fascinated me and one of those kinks that makes you feel like – oh, the world is so much larger than I understand.
Would you say you have any directorial easter eggs that you put into your films? Is there anything Classic Janicza?
I think my photography. I tend to shoot in the proscenium. I really like hanging out in the wide. I’m not gonna go for the close-up, or tons of coverage. It’s not that I don’t like the close-up, I just like to think globally, so I’m really attracted to the juicy wide. In the theater, if you’re in the audience and you’re watching the performer, you don’t get a close-up. There’s no shot in Zola that is arbitrary. The film is littered with surprises for repeat viewers.
You can find Bravo’s work on episodes in popular series like In Treatment, Them, and Atlanta. Next, she’ll be directing an adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Beloved. Zola is currently available to watch on Showtime or VOD.
Afronerd Radio can now be heard LIVE courtesy of Apple Music/Itunes
Let's get into it! And those infamous time constraints are at play as always folks! Welcome to Wednesday's Mid Week in Review airing tonight at 8 p.m. eastern, courtesy of the Afronerd Radio "machine" and on the BTalk 100 internet broadcasting platform. Listen to your "arc reactor" powered AFROnerdist hosts as they dissect the following topics: our thoughts about the recently released Showtime trailer for the remake of the cult sci-fi classic, The Man Who Fell to Earth:
It appears that legendary writer, Christopher Priest is getting additional Vampirella time with the announcement of another comic book series; as predicted on last Sunday's Grindhouse, mainstream media is making it clear about which race/phenotype is favored concerning the current Russo-Ukraine conflict; and based on the aforementioned global racial animus, Dburt ponders if Blacks are "cursed";
The crew has yet to see the latest superhero film to hit theaters, The Batman, but some reviews are eeking through; the difference between Black and White TikTok creators goes beyond skin deep...(hint-Where's the money!); And lastly, notable actor, "The Falcon" (or shall we say Captain America) himself, Anthony Mackie has been tapped to star in the next VG to film IP, Twisted Metal.
Oh...and actress, Zoe Kravitz has some interesting thoughts about her character's (Catwoman/Selina Kyle) sexuality versus DC canon (or is there really a conflict?).
One thing that Dburt is doing (finally) is investing in cryptocurrency, courtesy of Roundlyx. We would implore our followers to investigate, discern and then explore by using our referral code: afro-87A4BF
Call us LIVE at 508-645-0100. AFTER CLICKING ON THE HIGHLIGHTED LINK, GO DIRECTLY TO AFRONERD RADIO!!!
Also, Afronerd Radio's podcast format can be heard via BTalk 100 Pandora, Spotify and, IHeartRadio....more formats to follow!
Boost your child’s cognitive skills with these 100-piece puzzles for kids!
Hello all, I’m back again with another article, and today we’ll be discussing puzzles, specifically, 100-piece puzzles for kids! Now, I know they aren’t for everyone, and honestly in this world they might seem out of date or a thing of the past. However, puzzles improve memory, attention to detail, fine-motor skills, teamwork, and many other cognitive skills. That’s why I believe it’s never too late to introduce kids to a somewhat “simpler” time. Wow, that makes me sound kind of old… but let’s get back into these puzzles!
I tried to keep every puzzle on this list as close to 100 pieces as possible. This is ideal for kids 5 and up, as it’s something that can be completed easily in an hour or two (with your help), or spread out over several 30 minute sessions, if that works better. The key is finding the right theme, the one that will grab your kid’s attention. That said, for you, dear reader, I not only found you cute puzzles, I found you cool puzzles, nostalgic puzzles, and 3D options too. Yes, it’s as cool as it sounds.
For other ways to return to a “simpler” time, be sure to check out our list of classic board games for families, like operation, aggravation, and more!
All set? Great, now, let’s get building those 100-Piece Puzzles for Kids!
Sometimes, I really miss OG Pokémon, like nothing’s compared to it and that feeling can honestly never be replaced. Thinking about the classic music, gym battles, and Team Rocket always failing miserably, kind of makes me sad how much time has passed. However, in moments like this, I remember how far the series has come and how much joy it’s brought to so many throughout the years. Also, I remember I still want my own actual, living, breathing, Eevee and/or Pikachu, please and thank you.
Can’t get enough Pokémon? Visit our list of the best Pokémon toys, figures, and plushies for kids today!
Ever since I was little, Disney has always been a huge part of my life. I know, I’m not the only one, but besides the fabulous stories, I’ve always had a soft spot for the Disney Princesses. Even now, I’ll still get majorly excited and wonder what the next princess to join the official lineup will be like. Probably seems weird to understand, but to me it feels like a tradition.
So, in my search for gaming puzzles, I came across many Mario ones. Despite how cool they were, nothing really caught my eye. I almost felt like Goldilocks because nothing was juuust right. However, when I saw this I was starstruck. To be clear, I found quite a few Mario-themed puzzles but none had retro, 2-D versions of Mario and friends. Call me a traditionalist, but that’s what really made me want this puzzle. Also, Toad.
Every time I see any type of photos of Peter, Gwen, and Miles hanging out, I smile. Also, I love the fact Anya Corazon is here as well. She’s just one of the many types of spider beings. Only a handful would know who she is and it’s nice to see as the years have passed since Spider-verse more of the web-heads are getting the attention they deserve.
I know I already featured a Disney Princess puzzle, but as I said earlier, I’m obsessed. So, because of that, I featuring this beauty for you too. Also, allow me to weigh in on the debate of Frozen vs Frozen 2. I’m genuinely one of those who believe Frozen 2 was way better than the first! I’ll scream it from the rooftops, because Elsa didn’t abandon Anna and got her true happiness and more people need to recognize that! Also, Olaf.
As someone who grew up on the OG series, watched it go off the air, and eventually come back for the reboot, let’s just say I really love Powerpuff Girls. Heck, I even watched the underrated anime version (it’s called Powerpuff Girls Z for anyone who wants to know). Also, I think everyone should know about this show and the messages that it teaches. Girls rock!
Listen, I still cry over Toy Story 3, and if you didn’t you’re a monster. Buuut, I digress. I found it interesting to see what this movie brought after what many thought was an already perfect ending to the franchise. But whether you’re one of those who didn’t care for it or not, you have to admit it was nice to see Woody and all his friends again one last time.
So, not gonna lie, looking at this makes me kind of sad. I guess it’s knowing this era of My Little Pony, as well as the side series Equestria Girls, is over. That there won’t be any more Mane Six content in the foreseeable future hurts me. But I think it’s great that fans of the series have plenty of options to share with their little ones, and this 100 piece puzzle for kids is a perfect example!
Pokémon: Grass, Fire and Water
Serious question time: what was your starter Pokémon? Or, even better, what’s your favorite type of Pokemon? Also, don’t look at me like that. I know I already featured a Pokémon puzzle, and maybe it’s slightly cheap to add another, but honestly how could you look at this and not be happy? I mean, just look at them! Some of them could practically take your head off but they’re all still so precious! I wanna catch ’em all! Okay, maybe that too much…
I think we can all kind of agree, Marvel has most of us in a chokehold at the moment. So, when I saw this I instantly thought it’d be a really cute introduction for your kids, simple and classic. In addition, this is one of those rare Avengers products that “remembers” that Black Widow and Falcon are Avengers too. Honestly, it feels perfect for any Marvel fan, whether you’re more partial to the comics or the movies. Avengers assemble… this puzzle! Oof, that was bad. Carrying on!
For the last official item on our list of 100-Piece Puzzles for Kids, I chose an oldie (but not that old!) that I really cherish. Monster High: the show that taught kids to embrace the “freaky” flaws that make them unique. Boy, did I take that message to heart! And now, with the return of Monster High in 2022, I think this puzzle is a cute way to introduce the fandom to a younger generation. Feels weird to say that, as I remember when it dropped, and even lived through another somewhat questionable reboot. Still, I’m optimistic that this new one will be the most creeperific yet!
As we know, Sanrio has many icons, and My Melody is definitely one of those icons. Pretty much can’t go anywhere in the Sanrio community without seeing My Melody or her rival Kuromi pop up. But hey, I’m not complaining because just look at her! So cute she makes your heart melt.
Speak of the devil, next up we have another Sanrio icon, Kuromi! Honestly, Kuromi and My Melody’s friendship is super precious. Which is kind of cute because, as rivals and besties, they’re never far from each other. So, together, this puzzle and the My Melody one = PERFECTION!
I know the headline is 100-Piece Puzzles for Kids, but I don’t think a few extra pieces means forgotten all together. Especially considering, I want to highlight the beautiful art from the original manga. Also, I refuse to let the “Boruto’s Dad” memes disrespect Naruto and the OG series. No offense to Boruto, but Naruto and his friends ended the third Shinobi War, put some respect on their names!
Fan of anime? Naruto-run over to our list of the best Japanese toys every otaku needs!
Kiki’s Delivery Service – Jiji
There’s no shortage of Ghibli films, from modern classics like Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away to Ponyo and The Secret World of Arrietty, there are so many wonderful options. Though Kiki’s Delivery Service is well known, as I see her merch plastered all over Hot Topic, it’s more than just a cute aesthetic film. So, any chance I have to give this underrated film the credit it actually deserves, I’ll take. Also, to show love to the best companion a witch like Kiki could want: the most perfect cat, Jiji.
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