New Visions for Rwandan Filmmakers with Ganza Moise
Art Heals All Wounds
11/16/22
•49m
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Today, I’m joined by Ganza Moise, a Rwandan writer and filmmaker, to talk about his art and the Rwandan film community. We unpack the themes and artistic direction of two of his recent independent films, “Sensory Overload” and “Mazunga.” Ganza describes the unexpected ways that he frames characters and explores philosophical, existential questions that so many of us grapple with. He also touches on the transitional nature of his generation and highlights some of the filmmaking and distribution challenges in Rwanda.
“Sensory Overload” is an audio-visual experience based on Natacha Muzira’s poem about the liberating power of imagination. He explores similar themes in “Mazunga,” which is about a taxi motorcyclist who is forced to face his internal conflicts when the whole world shuts down during the pandemic. In our conversation, Ganza explains why he’s drawn to these types of stories and breaks down his artistic process.
I ask Ganza about the generation of Rwandans who teeter the Millennials/Gen-Z line. He illustrates how he and his peers are doing a lot of talking, thinking, and creating to find their cultural identity in a country that is very ambitious, but also mourning the atrocities of genocide from the not-to-distant past.
Part of the country’s rapid growth is reflected in the film scene. Ganza is the co-founder of KIRURI mfn, an arts production and distribution company. He shares his insight into how Rwandan filmmakers are getting their work in front of larger audiences and how he’s working to amplify their art.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Castbox, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
● What drew Ganza to filmmaking
● Powerful scenes and themes of “Sensory Overload” and “Mazunga”
● How Ganza seeks to make sense of his experiences and internal conversations through art
● Challenges that Ganza and other Rwandans of his generation are currently facing
● What’s happening with the independent film scene in Rwanda
Guest Info:
● KIRURI mfn YouTube
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● Art Heals All Wounds Website
● Art Heals All Wounds Instagram
● Art Heals All Wounds Twitter
Previous Episode
Healing Through Storytelling After Surviving a Mass Shooting with Ashley Hoff
November 9, 2022
•44m
Today, I’m joined by Ashley Hoff, an executive producer of the new Paramount+ documentary "11 Minutes." The four-part series offers an insider’s look into the mass shooting that took place at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 1st, 2017. In our conversation, Ashley opens up about her experience being a survivor of this tragedy and details why she felt called to highlight other survivor’s stories.
Through first-hand accounts from eventgoers and first responders, as well as real body cam and cell phone footage, “11 Minutes'' is a truly immersive, effective approach to storytelling. The documentary illustrates the light that came from such a harrowing event and the power of healing in community.
Fifty-eight people were killed in the immediate aftermath of the shooting and two survivors later died of their gunshot wounds. Hundreds more were injured. Even though it’s the largest mass shooting in the US to date, it cycled out of the news in about a week. With “11 Minutes,” Ashley hopes to portray the lasting impact of this event and facilitate healing in a safe way.
Ashley shares how she and her team crafted the series in a way that respects the various narrators while providing powerful, necessary visuals. She describes the public feedback and praise that the film has garnered and highlights how it’s touched people from all walks of life. Ashley also dives into the turning point when she decided that she would tell this story and celebrate the resiliency of this survivor community.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Castbox, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
● How to tell a story in a way that honors the victims of a tragedy
● The thought process behind the decision to use real-life footage instead of reenactments
● How Ashley and her team chose the narrators who are featured in the documentary
● The prolific moment that made it clear to Ashley that she was meant to make “11 Minutes”
● The simple, yet impactful message that Ashley hopes viewers will take away from the documentary
Guest Info:
● Watch "11 Minutes" on Paramount+
Follow Me:
● Art Heals All Wounds Website
● Art Heals All Wounds Instagram
● Art Heals All Wounds Twitter
Next Episode
Today, I’m joined by artists and educators Lenett Partlow-Myrick and Jenny O'Grady to discuss the medium of book art and the transformative workshops that they lead. Lenett describes book art as a way to reimagine the possibility of what books can be, how they’re created, and ways that we can interpret them. In their workshops, which they lovingly call “human bonding studios,” they lead groups of people through a journey of self-exploration and genuine connection.
Lenett and Jenny provide space, materials, and a thought-provoking question to get their students started. The focus isn’t on the end product, but rather being open to a different way of delving into deep conversations about one's intentions, limitations, and purpose. Lenett and Jenny believe that everyone is an artist and describe what they’ve witnessed when a group of adults take time to pause and get curious.
In our conversation, we also touch on Lenett and Jenny’s collaborative efforts outside of the workshops. They’ve recently wrapped up “Dos-A-Dos II,” a showcase of book art and poetry called at Howard Community College’s Richard B. Talkin Family Art Gallery. Listen in to learn more about Lenett and Jenny’s enriching perspective on how sculptural storytelling can impact individuals and communities on a foundational level.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Castbox, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Topics Covered:
● Jenny and Lenett’s introduction to book art
● Questions that workshop participants explore
● Ways to make art more accessible to people, especially those who don’t identify as artistic or creative
● The impact of quality, honest communication
● Using book art workshops as a way to dissipate polarity in communities
Guest Info:
Follow Me:
● Art Heals All Wounds Website
● Art Heals All Wounds Instagram
● Art Heals All Wounds Twitter
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