Frame By Frame: Episode 2 - Esther Figueroa

Frame By Frame

Jamaican filmmaker Esther Figueroa visited the BFC/A in the Spring of 2019. The visit was a part of the program, ‘Black Sun White Moon: Exploring Black Cinematic Imaginations of Space.’ The film series included Fly Me to the Moon, Figueroa’s feature-length documentary about the natural material of bauxite in the Caribbean that have been mined as an essential component of advanced space travel. Esther Figueroa and Dr. Terri Francis have a wide-ranging conversation here about Figueroa’s beginnings in film, exploring different timelines of world events and their connections to everyday lives, and how she views the impact of her work.

Topics Discussed:

0:00-3:00 Introductions

03:10- 4:30 Early life in Jamaica, interest in writing, being well traveled

04:45-11:42 Time in Hawaii, colonial occupation of Hawaii, coming into filmmaking, the indigenous way of filmmaking, conservation.

11:43- 16:40 Return to Jamaica, “Kuleana”, the importance of archival work and creation and distribution of Caribbean knowledge, origins of Cockpit Country: Voices from Jamaica’s Heart

16:45- 21:42 The indigenous perspective, tourism, overmining, overfishing, and it’s effect on Jamaica's ecosystem and economy, the continuing effects of colonialism in Jamaica

22:23-26:55 Sputnik, traveling around America as a child and facing racism, education, athletics, growing up with brothers.

26:57- 29:28 Studying Communications, influences from outside of traditional cinema.

29:30- 37:21 Filmmaking philosophy (filmmaking as a craft), growing up in a patriarchal household, being a female filmmaker.

Frame By Frame is hosted by Dr. Terri Francis

Theme music provided by BRZ with additional music from André Seewood and Deija Lighon

Production by David Carter, Deonna Weatherly and Bria McCarty

Notes and episode descriptions were written by Yeeseon Chae with additional assistance from David Carter

The views, information, or opinions expressed on the Black Film Center & Archive audio series are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of The Trustees of Indiana University ("IU") and/or its employees. IU is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of the content contained in this podcast.

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