Ma’s House was once the heart of a community. As Ma’s grandson, artist and photographer Jeremy Dennis is on a quest to restore the family home to its central role as a community gathering place for a new generation of diverse artists. Through personal mementos, intimate narratives, and a touch of celebrity gossip, Dennis and his family reveal generations of history and hope contained within the walls of their home.
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SŪKŪJULA TEI (Stories of My Mother)
During a visit to her sister Amaliata, Rosa, a wise Wayuu woman, teaches Amaliata’s grandchildren the importance of reciprocity within their culture.
Diiyeghan naii Taii Tr’eedaa (We Will Walk the Trail of our Ancestors)
A grandfather teaches his granddaughter, a young Gwich'in mother named Alisha, how reciprocity is embedded in all aspects of life. The northern lights warm the caribou; the caribou helps feed and sustain the community; the community honors the connections. Each element in nature is purposeful and related. In turn, these connections bring new meaning to Alisha and her wishes for her children and for all living beings.
Aurora – The street that wanted to be a river
If the streets could talk, what would they say?
Aurora is a sad and lonely street of a big city. On a rainy day, she remembers her trajectory and dreams about the future asking herself: is it possible for a street to die?
ᎤᏕᏲᏅ (What They’ve Been Taught)
Filmed on the Qualla Boundary and Cherokee Nation, ᎤᏕᏲᏅ (What They’ve Been Taught) explores expressions of reciprocity in the Cherokee world, brought to life through a story told by an elder and first language speaker. ᎤᏕᏲᏅ circles the intersection of tradition, language, land and a commitment to maintaining balance. This film was created in collaboration with independent artists from both Cherokee Nation and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Echo
Ellie avoids verbal communication because she hears an ECHO of -what she thinks to be- the thoughts of the speaker. She survives thanks to her landlady. Manu moves into the apartment across. Day by day, their routines echo each others.