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Q & A WITH DIRECTOR
HEATHER CONDO
Photo: Jacynthe Beaudet - Wapikoni mobile
What inspires you?
I am inspired by many things around me. My husband Stephen's hard work and dedication to basket making inspired me to make this film. He has a gift and it needed to be honored and celebrated. Any person who has watched a basket maker work can attest to this. I wanted people to be aware of the careful, precise, and required strength for this work.
What was your intention with this film?
This film was a long time goal of mine. Some of Stephen's clients who receive prepared black ash from him to make their own baskets can be quite impatient. This used to bother me because obviously these people didn't understand how hard this man was working for them. That was the first reason for wanting to make the film to show them how time consuming and not easy this work was.
Why is it important to tell this story?
This is an important story to tell because of the lack of knowledge there is on this important work. Our ancestors made baskets for thousands of years. We have not found anyone in eastern Canada yet that makes these types of baskets. It is extremely important to capture Stephen's work now for future generations. Basket making takes time to learn and maybe years to perfect. Stephen has been doing this since he was a boy. Artisans who perfect their work over years should be celebrated. This is how I celebrate Stephen and an art form given to him by generations before him.
What was the most challenging part of making this film?
The most challenging part of making this film was having to condense it considerably. Originally, I wanted the film to be long and full of each basket making step. When I first talked to Wapikoni mobile (the production studio) about making this film, I was unaware that it was supposed to be a short film. Editing the film was hard, to take certain parts out I felt were important, and to keep the most important. It was hard to choose. The finished project brings tears to my eyes, I am very happy with it.
What was the most exciting part of making this film?
The most exciting part of making this film is that Stephen doesn't say a word. He can really talk about basket making until the sun comes up. Really, the most incredible part is sharing what I get to see everyday with everybody who hasn't had the pleasure to see what an amazing art this is. I am still in shock and awe that this film is being shown at Sundance, that is truly incredible.
What is your creative process like?
I have never really thought of my creative process. I feel like I have a vision of what I want and, on the way to making it, I take a little bit of this and a little bit of that from someone else and mash it together with my own ideas and voilà! Really, I just think of what I want to convey to other people.
Tell us about the aboriginal culture you grew up in.
My culture (Micmac) is very important to me. I grew up away from most of my biological family, and I always knew that I was native. Not many people around me were and I felt that was very special to me. Whenever we would talk about Indians in history class, I would always feel very proud. My teachers would let me bring in items from the reservation to show the class. One of those items was always a basket that my uncle John made. I would be picked on after class for being an Indian and bringing those items to show. My culture was and is a great source of pride and I tried not to let that get to me.
Tell us how it was working with Wapikoni mobile.
Working with Wapikoni mobile was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Their support, direction, and knowledge is incredible! From start to finish, their guidance helped me and still does. I haven't made a film before and really had no idea what it entailed. I just knew the vision that I had and they assisted me in executing it perfectly. I am hoping that more young people will get involved with Wapikoni and tell their stories.
What are your future projects?
I would love to make another film with Wapikoni mobile. In fact, I don't think I would want to do it without them. They made me fell valued and that my story was important to tell. I am open to learning more about making films. One of my dreams is to visit many Native American and/or First Nation communities and find important, positive stories to tell.
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