One of the most inspiring stories to come from Inclusion Fellowship – Afro Latino Cohort is sisters by water! A short film by Shenny de Los Angeles, an Afro-Latine artist and creative. I love supporting Afro-Latine everything, especially stories rarely seen or heard, sisters by water’s short film does a great job representing Afro-Caribbean culture and breaking away from stereotypes. I love supporting artists and creatives with different perspectives.
The coming-of-age movie focuses on two friends: Ambar and Larimar, navigating through a generation of cycle breakers and societal norms and touching on the intricate mother-daughter relationships relatable to many people. Each scene is shown purposely with another clue. Pay attention to the details. It navigates and pushes the storyline smoothly. From demonstrating two little black girls as soft and innocent and at the same time defining part of their womanhood through their sisterhood, intertwined by the restraints and demands on society’s expectations of what they should be or become—combating the narrative on the immigrant Gen X parents and first-generation millennials striving for the meaning of life and happiness.
What was insightful to me was that the water symbolizes the intersectionality of readjusting life to the now. There’s a fantastic flair when Haitian Creole is spoken, and pride is appreciated in just a glimpse. Lastly, this film depicts overcoming fear and relying on inner acceptance. It is a cultural Afrolatinx delight to feel seen. It’s always amazingly unique to see diverse perspectives in media.
About The Director
Shenny De Los Angeles is a Dominican-American Interdisciplinary Performance Artist. Centralizing Black & Brown Caribbean femmes in every body of work, Shenny’s stories affirm the beauty of being alive. Her short film, The Ritual to Beauty, received the Grand Jury Prize at Slamdance and is also now available to stream on The New Yorker. They have also been commissioned by Latina Magazine, Mabou Mines Theatre, Ceremonia, Latinx Playwright Circle, and Harlem Stage, to name a few. Currently, as an Artist in Residence at Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Shenny is exploring ritual performance pieces that integrate spoken word in theatrical and cinematic form. Learn more about their work at www.shennydelosangeles.com
| Director | Shenny De Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| Written by | Shenny De Los Angeles |
| Cinematography | Stefan Nachmann |
| Edited by | Amanda Morell |
| Music by | Kyle Rodriguez |
| Casting Director | Rose Rosen |
| Art Direction | Vince Sanchez |
| Main Cast | Ava Marie Threat, Cristina Encarnación, Liliam Montilla, Amina Massai, Vanessa Green- Skyrmes, Rose Cadeau |
