America's Missing and Unidentified Women: Aimee Baker, Writer and Vanessa Cicarelli and Jason Greer, Filmmakers
Art Heals All Wounds
03/08/23
•44m
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Today, I’m joined by writer Aimée Baker and filmmakers Vanessa Cicarelli and Jason Greer. Aimée is the author of Doe, an award-winning poetry collection in which she commemorates the lives of missing and unidentified girls and women in the United States. She is Vanessa and Jason’s full-length documentary about Aimée and her eye-opening work. With true crime podcasts and series topping the charts, I often wonder if we’re all becoming desensitized to the real-life horror of the subject matter. Doe and She have a more empathetic approach to the genre. Aimée, Vanessa, and Jason work to honor the victims, particularly those who don’t make front-page news.
In our conversation, we discuss the importance of making visible something that’s in danger of being forgotten or disappearing. Aimée, Vanessa, and Jason highlight the lack of attention and sympathy that missing BIPOC women receive, as well as challenge the narrative that girls and women are asking for trouble when they engage in certain behaviors considered as risky. We also get into details about both the writing and filmmaking processes. Aimée opens up about what inspired her to pursue these stories and how she took care of herself during such an emotionally challenging project. Vanessa and Jason share how they built trust with Aimée when she was hesitant about the film and what their overarching goals are for it.
Listen, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Castbox, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
● Using poetry to express possible parts of the story of missing and unidentified women in the United States
● Vanessa and Jason’s connection to Aimée’s work and why they wanted to make a documentary about it
● What Aimée discovered about the incredible bias about who does (and doesn’t) get media coverage when they’re missing or unidentified
● The range of emotions that all three artists experienced while engaging with these stories
● A deeply moving reading from Doe called “Dustland Fairytale”
Guest Info:
● Watch or Download She
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Previous Episode
Ausma Zehanat Khan, Writer: Mysteries and Human Rights
March 1, 2023
•41m
Today, I’m joined by writer Ausma Zehanat Khan to discuss how she explores the scope and horror of nationalism, Islamophobia, and racism in page-turner detective novels. As a Muslim woman and former immigration and human rights lawyer, Ausma draws on her professional and personal experiences to craft enticing storylines around topics like criminal justice reform and race relations.
In our conversation, we unpack themes and details of her most recent book, Blackwater Falls, and Ausma provides insight into what inspired her to pursue this story. We also touch on some of Ausma’s earlier work, including her decade-long research on The Balkan Wars that informed her debut novel, The Unquiet Dead.
Ausma has a unique perspective on American politics as a Canadian living in rural Colorado. She sees first-hand the impact of systemic racism and xenophobia on BIPOC communities in her area.
Set in a similar town to where Ausma currently lives, Blackwater Falls illuminates the nuances of how ultra-nationalist movements gain traction and eventually erase multiculturalism. Through the heavy topics, Ausma also artfully weaves in elements of romance, family dynamics, and small town drama.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Castbox, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
● What sparked Ausma’s investigation on military intervention and war crimes of The Balkan Wars
● Using crime fiction as a way to communicate about systemic injustices
● The identity challenges that many BIPOC law enforcement officers face
● Ausma’s thought process behind the three main power structures in Blackwater Falls
● The signs and consequences of ‘incrementalism’ in American politics
Guest Info:
Follow Me:
● Art Heals All Wounds Website
● Art Heals All Wounds Instagram
● Art Heals All Wounds Twitter
● Art Heals All Wounds Facebook
Next Episode
Today, I’m joined by award-winning artist, playwright, and librettist Catherine Filloux to discuss how she explores the intersection of social justice and theater in her work. In our conversation, Catherine expands on the stories that have captured her heart and informed her career, including the survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia and the Dirty War in Argentina. Where Elephants Weep is a rock opera that follows the love story of two Cambodian-Americans who return to their homeland. Catherine outlines the expansive research that she and composer Him Sophy did to bring this story to life and explains why she’s dedicated to exploring the generational impact of the Khmer Rouge regime. Because the play was banned after it was broadcast for the first time on Cambodian national television, Catherine and Him Sophy are updating and relaunching it next year. Catherine’s also working on a one-woman play about the extraordinary life of visual artist and activist Claudia Bernardi. Catherine gives an overview of what we can expect from How to Eat an Orange and why she was inspired to pursue this story. We also discuss the potency of storytelling in the theater, especially as we’ve been driven towards screens and experiencing art alone. Catherine leaves us with an inspiring message about her passion for honoring survivors' stories and highlights why it’s revolutionary to remember.
Listen, rate, and review to Art Heals All Wounds on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Castbox, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
● Catherine’s early introduction to theater and what sparked her interest in playwriting
● An honest look at the United States’ complicity in international conflict
● Why Where Elephants Weep was banned in Cambodia
● The deep impact of the Khmer Rouge regime on Cambodian arts and tradition
● Using the theater as a setting to honor the victims and survivors of human rights violations
Guest Info:
● Catherine's Website
● Catch Where Elephants Weep on Broadway on Demand through April 22, 2023
● Stay updated about the premiere of How to Eat an Orange at La MaMa
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● My LinkedIn
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