TL;DR
- Two documentaries spotlight Jackie Shane and Barbara Hammer
- Jackie Shane’s story told through her own voice
- Barbara Hammer’s work as a form of resistance
- Both films explore who gets remembered in queer history
- These stories highlight the importance of preserving queer legacies.
Lights, camera, action! The Sebastopol Documentary Film Festival may have wrapped up, but the stories of two incredible queer artists are just beginning to shine. Enter the realm of Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story and Barbara Forever, two documentaries that not only reclaim the legacies of Jackie Shane and Barbara Hammer but also challenge the very fabric of how we remember queer history. These films are set to make you laugh, cry, and maybe even question who gets to tell the stories that matter.
First up, let’s talk about Jackie Shane, the Black trans soul singer who once stole the spotlight from legends like Etta James and Little Richard. But where did she go? Director Michael Mabbott takes us on a journey to rediscover Shane’s voice through Any Other Way. “The recordings weren’t initially intended to be used in the film,” Mabbott reveals, but they ended up being the emotional heart of the documentary. Jackie’s own words guide us through her life, making it feel like she’s right there with us, sharing her story in her own fabulous way.
With a sprinkle of rotoscope animation, the film brings Shane’s recorded conversations to life, allowing us to feel the intimacy of her experiences. “Her voice and her words completely shaped the emotional core of the film,” Mabbott explains. It’s not just a documentary; it’s a heartfelt reconstruction of a life that almost faded into obscurity.
Now, let’s flip the script to Barbara Forever, a film that honors a pioneering lesbian filmmaker who never stopped speaking her truth. Director Brydie O’Connor dives deep into Hammer’s life, creating a narrative that interrogates why Barbara chose to document her existence. “We wanted to further embed this framework of the ‘living archive’ into each of the chapters of her life,” O’Connor shares. And boy, does it pay off! Hammer’s work is not just art; it’s a fierce act of resistance against erasure.
As we watch Barbara’s journey unfold, it’s clear that her films are a testament to survival. “In this context, Barbara’s work reads not only as a record but as a form of resistance,” O’Connor states. The film doesn’t shy away from the contradictions in Hammer’s life; instead, it embraces them, showing how her art intertwined with her lived experiences.
So, why do these stories matter now more than ever? Both films grapple with the pressing question: who gets remembered? For Jackie Shane, it’s about reclaiming her voice from the shadows of systemic erasure. For Barbara Hammer, it’s about ensuring her narrative is documented and celebrated. “I was so inspired by her insistence that her… films be recognized as valid markers of history,” O’Connor reflects.
As you watch these documentaries, you’ll be left pondering the importance of preserving queer history. After all, the archive isn’t just about the past; it’s about who gets to exist in the future. So grab your popcorn and get ready to be inspired by two legends who are finally getting their due. This is queer history, and it’s about time we celebrated it!