Tag decolonization

We’re Screening on Oct.29th at Refugees Welcome #Film#Festival in #Berlin

Red Haircrow

In Berlin on 29 October, starting at 20:00 at the Babylon Cinema, my documentary film will screen at this film festival. Myself and members of the film team, and hopefully some participants also will be there to present and see it on the big screen again. Please visit their website, as well as the theater site for more details and information on the venue and other films being shown. http://www.refugeesfilmfest.com or in the Website of Babylon Cinema: https://babylonberlin.eu.

The topic of refugees, “migrants” and the backlash of hatred, intolerance and xenophobia that continues to be a big problem in Germany, might topically seem unrelated to Native Americans or German enthusiasm and appropriation of “native cultures”. However, it is very much connected to the issues of racism and modern colonialism that plague western society. Here is an entry letter to the festival, as we realized (and have experienced) that many Europeans, Germans especially, automatically reject any criticism or connection of stereotypes to continuing historical harm.

Greetings,

I am Red Haircrow, the director and producer of this attached film submission. At first glance, it may not seem to fit the description of your festival, but very much due to its material and participants, I feel it may be given consideration due to its honest discussion of stereotyping of people of color, foreigners and those who are “Othered” in German society.

Our film’s interviewees contrast Germany’s treatment of its “favorite” foreigners, Native American Indians vs. the daily racism, discrimination and aggression less flavored “others”, such as refugees and migrants often receive. It also specifically discusses how white foreigners are “expats”, but people of color are “migrants”. A different standard is applied. So, the topics of Eurocentrism, colonialist history and beliefs, nationalism and racism when one does not fit the favored stereotype is considered. Also the role of spectator or voyeur some Europeans have to migration stories and the personal and/or national tragedies that people searching for better and safer lives may bring with them.

Sincerely,
Mr. Red Haircrow

Book Launch July 5, 2018 in Berlin- “Geschichte Schreiben” or “Writing History” (EN & DE)

Red Haircrow

Two of my poems, “The Color of Your Skin” and “Threatened by Beads” are included in this anthology of essays, art, poetry and more. First appearing in Red Ink International Journal’s special issue, Standing With Standing Rock (December 2016), my work was translated to German for this edition of Neue Rundschau, published by S. Fischer Verlag.

 

Synopsis: “Hegemonic historiographies – such as those about colonialism – are increasingly beginning to falter, are being rewritten and reperspectived. However, this does not happen by itself, but is also driven by the year-long struggles of activists, such as initiatives of Black people and other People of Color. How can history be told differently? Is historical injustice comparable? Can history not also be decentered and complex?

Publikations-Launch von “Geschichte Schreiben”. Hg. von Sharon Dodua Otoo und Manuela Bauche. Im Rahmen des Symposiums: “Neue Perspektiven”
(www.xartsplitta.net/symposium-neue-perspektiven/)

“Hegemoniale Geschichtserzählungen – etwa über den Kolonialismus – geraten zuletzt zunehmend ins Wanken, werden umgeschrieben und neu perspektiviert. Das geschieht aber nicht von selbst, sondern wird auch durch die jahrelangen Kämpfe von Aktivist*innen, beispielsweise Initiativen Schwarzer Menschen und weiterer People of Colour, vorangetrieben. Wie lässt sich Geschichte anders schreiben? Ist historisches Unrecht vergleichbar? Lässt sich Geschichte nicht auch dezentriert und komplex erzählen?”

Näheres unter: www.xartsplitta.net/launch-geschichte-schreiben/

Informationen zur Anmeldung: www.xartsplitta.net/anmeldung_symposium/

Film Premiere on 11 February 2018 at the Historic Delphi Theater in Berlin!

Red Haircrow

Through hardship and a directing experience Red Haircrow had to complete alone, on 11 February 2018 Forget Winnetou! Going Beyond Native Stereotypes in Germany makes it screen debut at the historic Delphi Theater in Berlin. Advanced tickets are now available through the Delphi’s website, and we would love to see you there! Deutsch version is below, and you can read more about film details at its IMDb page.

PROGRAM

16:00-16:30 Welcome & short live performance
16:30-17:00 Introduction to panelists and a Q& A
17:00-17:30 A short Documentary
17:30-18:00 Pause with Music by Johnny Clyde, Photography by Viveka Frost
18:00-19:30 Feature documentary
19:30-20:00+ Meet the team & special visitor

 

“What does a world look like that respects indigenous peoples, that’s working to end racism and colonialism on a global scale?” A part of that is stopping stereotyping, and Native stereotypes are some of the most pervasive and recognized, but most don’t know their origins or the real harm they do.

“Winnetou”, the still popular American Indian character created by German author Karl May in the 19th century is a symbol of Native stereotypes, of lingering racism & colonialism: the self-bestowed privilege of taking and using whatever you want, even living peoples, for self-gratification. Intentional or not, these attitudes and behaviors continue the cycle of genocide, and can be harmful to everyone, no matter their ethnicity.

Most films on similar topics concentrate only on Native experiences in North America, but through discussions with Natives living in or having visited Germany, the correction of Eurocentricized history & insight on German society, we’ll present why these stereotypes and practices must end: in Germany and worldwide. While some may minimize the effect or harm of stereotypes, they are evidence of much deeper societal issues of injustice, inequality and inequity many countries now face.

Germany is a microcosm of struggles taking place across the world both against and for decolonization, for correcting white privilege and supremacy that’s divided and helped destroy our world. Stereotypes were created to keep themselves in power…and others under their control.

The documentary will utilize live-action scenes, interviews and animated sequences illustrating the theme, and provide an unforgettable, educational experience. Native speaking for themselves, representing themselves, and showing the world their variety, complexity and indomitable spirit.

Deutsch

“Wie könnte eine Welt aussehen, die indigene Völker respektiert, die daran arbeitet, Rassismus in einem globalen Rahmen zu ende? Es müsste damit beginnen, die stereotype Wahrnehmung indigener Völker zu beenden; diese ist weit verbreitet und anerkannt, wie kaum eine andere, aber die meisten Menschen kennen weder deren Ursprünge, noch den tatsächlichen Schaden, der durch sie angerichtet wird.”

Karl Mays beliebter Pseudo-Indianer hat die tatsächliche indigene Bevölkerung jahrzehntelang falsch dargestellt und damit einer weit verbreiteten Aneignung und Ausbeutung indigener Kulturen den Weg bereitet. Menschen indigener Herkunft sind willkommen, jedoch eigentlich nur, wenn sie die Klischees erfüllen.

Auch in Nordamerika sind sich viele Menschen indigener Herkunft nicht bewusst, dass die Stilisierung als Maskottchen in Deutschland lediglich die Kehrseite tiefgreifender Probleme ist, die sich als systematischer Rassismus, Polizeigewalt und Ungerechtigkeit gegenüber Minderheiten darstellen, selbst wenn indigene Bilder, Kulturen und sogar Knochen den Europäern als Genugtuung dienen.

Deutschland repräsentiert als Mikrokosmos all die Kämpfe die weltweit sowohl gegen die Dekolonisierung als auch zu ihren Gunsten stattfinden, zu Gunsten einer Abschaffung der Privilegien und der Vormachtstellung der Weißen, die unsere Welt in Lager gespalten und dabei geholfen hat, sie zu zerstören. Stereotype wurden erfunden um den Weißen die Erhalt ihrer Macht zu sichern….und andere unter Kontrolle zu halten.
Es befindet sich derzeit in der Postproduktion und wird Live-Action-Szenen, Interviews und Newsclips mit kurzen animierten Sequenzen kombinieren.

New Trailer, Updates & Team Members

Red Haircrow

The new trailer for “Forget Winnetou!” is here. Deutsch version can be found at this link. This is the longer, explanatory trailer, but we will do a short teaser (50-59s), too. Thank you to all the participants and constructive feedback, and we look forward to sharing the finished documentary with everyone in December!

NEWS

I’m excited to announce all official filming was completed on 31 July, and project “Forget Winnetou!” has entered post-production stage!

Our funding campaign goal unfortunately wasn’t met here on Indiegogo, but for me, Red Haircrow, this in no way affected my enthusiasm and commitment to finishing the project in a timely way, because I feel it is a critically needed message for NOW. Again, thank you, for the contributions you made.

However, because the campaign goal was not met, former co-director Timo Kiesel decided he could not commit equal time to the project, in favor of other choices. So, the actual documentary film will be directed and produced by me, Red Haircrow. Due to our earlier collaboration, Timo will be listed as associate producer, and will have selective contribution following post-production.

TEAM MEMBERS

I am pleased to announce  the addition of two team members, Johnny Clyde and Viveka Frost. Johnny is Purepecha American, and Viveka has Indigenous Venezuelan roots, both are artists, composers, and filmmakers, part of whose work is listed at IMDb. They are also interviewees for the documentary, who currently reside in Berlin.
 

 

15 June 2017-At Institut für Sozialwissenschaften in Berlin: “#RepresentationMatters: Decolonizing Indigeneity”

Red Haircrow

15 June 2017- Directors Red Haircrow & Timo Kiesel will be at Institut für Sozialwissenschaften at Humboldt University in Berlin, to present “Representation Matters: Decolonizing Indigeneity”. Forget Winnetou.

For more information, please visit its Facebook event page, details in Deutsch and English. The presentation will be in both languages as well.

“Headdresses at carnival, childhood games, books sold by the millions for generations: iconic colonial racist imagery such as Karl May’s fictional character Winnetou keeps shaping our distorted images of indigenous North American cultures and histories. Together with author, film maker and psychological counselor Red Haircrow and with Timo Kiesel, film maker (“White Charity” 2011) and member of glokal e.V. we will discuss how representation of indigenous people and First Nations in the Americas and Germany are entangled with the material reality of social inequality and indigenous struggles for sovereignty, environmental justice and survival. The event is bilingual and located on ground level.”

Karnevalskostüme, Kindheitsspiele, Bücher in Millionenauflage seit Generationen: Kolonialrassistische Imaginationen mit Kultstatus wie jene rund um den fiktionalen Charakter Winnetou von Karl May prägen unser verzerrtes Bild indigener nordamerikanischer Kulturen und Geschichten. Gemeinsam mit dem Autor, Filmemacher und psychologischen Berater Red Haircrow und mit Timo Kiesel, Filmemacher („White Charity“ 2011) und Mitglied bei glokal e.V. wollen wir diskutieren, wie fremd- und selbstbestimmte Repräsentation von indigenous people und First Nations in Deutschland und den Amerikas mit der materiellen Realität sozialer Ungleichheit und mit indigenen Kämpfen um Souveränität, environmental justice und Überleben verwoben ist. Der Workshop ist zweisprachig. Der Ort ist ebenerdig zugänglich.”