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Your new movie 1001 Crowns for My Head
- in a few words,
what's it about?
1001 Crowns for My Head
is an exploration of hairstyles, from ancient civilizations to the
contemporary diaspora. Through the intimate and engaged perspectives of
Afro-descendant women, the film celebrates the identity, creativity,
pride, and beauty of their hair, as well as its cultural, social, and
political significance.
What inspired you to make a
movie about hairstyles, and did you do any research on the subject?
1001 Crowns for My Head
was born from my relationship with my natural hair. I
found it difficult to find hairstyles that I could easily do myself. While
searching online for ideas for natural hair, I came across stunning traditional African
hairstyles, very architectural in design. This inspired me to dig deeper into the history behind these hairstyles and the
cultural heritage they represent.
I consulted museums, read specialized books, and of course spoke with
historians and researchers.
Before we dig further into the movie, what can you tell us
about your own hairstyle and your connection to it? And has working on
1001 Crowns for My Head
changed your perception of it?
I have a good relationship with my hair and try to maintain that connection
by using natural products as much as possible.
Sometimes I wear my hair short, other times I use extensions or wigs.
It all depends on the weather and how I feel about myself.
Working on 1001 Crowns for My Head
made me realize there’s
so much more to discover about hair,
it’s not just something that grows on our heads, but
a true symbol of identity, memory, and culture.
How did you go about searching people to portray in
1001 Crowns for My Head, and do talk about some of the more extravagant
hairstyles portrayed in your movie for a bit?
To find the participants for the film, I relied on my network of filmmakers
and Afro-descendant communities, seeking women with powerful stories to share. Some
of the hairstyles are truly extraordinary, very architectural, almost like
wearable works of art, blending African tradition with contemporary
creativity. We selected hairstyles with particular symbolic meanings, such
as royalty, puberty, or ceremonial purposes. In precolonial Africa, these
hairstyles were important social markers: one could identify a person’s
status or role in society just by their hair. Do
talk about your directorial approach to your story at hand! Each
shoot was a bit different, but In general we
could feel the commitment and the willingness of the participants to share
their personal experiences with their hair. It’s a sensitive topic,
because even today, in many parts of the world, such as the Caribbean,
Africa and the Americas, there
is still discrimination against Afro hair.
What can you tell us about the shoot(s) as such, and the on-set
atmosphere?
With 1001 Crowns for My Head, I wanted to create a space where Afro-descendant
women could freely share their experiences, their beauty, their stories
and their relationship with their hair. I
chose to blend historical, educational,and poetic elements to let the
film breathe and make the subject both meaningful and enjoyable to watch.
The use of slam poetry echoes the voice of the griot (the keeper of oral traditions),
who passes on knowledge and memory through storytelling. For
me, directing is not just about capturing images but about building trust
and revealing the deeper meaning within each story.
The $64-question of course, where can
1001 Crowns for My Head be seen?
The film is currently available only in Canada on the TFO website
and their digital platform:
https://www.tfo.org/titre/1001-couronnes-pour-ma-tete/GP810899
Anything you can tell us about audience and critical reception of
1001 Crowns for My Head yet? The feedback has been positive,
people who have seen the film enjoyed it and found that it provided
valuable information for everyone. Any future projects
you'd like to share?
I am currently developing short and feature-length fiction projects.
Although they are not documentaries, they deal with issues such as
immigration, forgiveness, culture and social justice. One is called
fufu and the other Tonton Patrick.
What made you go into
filmmaking in the first place, and documentary filmmaking at that, and did
you receive any formal training on the subject?
I am an activist actively involved in social initiatives,
focused on the representation and empowerment of African and
Afro-descendant communities. I
also collaborate with several national and international organizations on
various issues, including gender-based violence and women’s health. For
me, documentary filmmaking is another powerful tool to raise awareness.
What can you tell us about your filmwork prior to
1001 Crowns for My Head? My first feature-length documentary, Koromousso (Big Sister),
co-directed and produced by the NFB, has been screened at numerous
festivals and continues to reach communities.
The film explores the causes and consequences of female genital mutilation. It
follows Canadian women who share their personal experiences and how they
have managed to overcome their trauma. How would you describe yourself as a
director?
I see myself as a filmmaker who uses cinema as a tool for cultural
dialogue and empowerment. My work often explores themes of heritage,
womanhood, and identity through the African and Afro-descendant
experience. I strive to capture stories that are both personal and
universal, using visual poetry to connect the past and the present.
Filmmakers who inspire you?
Ousmane Sembène from Senegal, often
called the father of African cinema. His films address colonialism,
corruption and African identity,
Idrissa Ouedraogo from Burkina Faso, his storytelling often centers on
rural African life and morality. James Cameron
and Denis Villeneuve.
Your favourite movies?
Moolaadé by Ousmane Sembè, Desert Flower by Sherry Hormann, Titanic by
James Cameron, Arrival
by Denis Villeneuve. ... and of course,
films you really deplore? In general, I don’t watch horror
movies, not because they’re bad, but because I watched one once and it
terrified me. Your/your movie's
website, social media, whatever else?
https://1001crownsfilm.com/
https://www.imdb.com/fr/name/nm14773502/
https://www.facebook.com/Lankoande.habibata/
Thanks for the interview! |
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