Mississippi Filmmaker: Talamieka Brice
"I've always felt like Briar Rabbit in that I was born and raised in a briar patch, and even though I bear the scars, it has taught me to find the pathways that connect us all."
What does it mean to call Mississippi home? Why do people choose to leave or live in this weird, wonderful, and sometimes infuriating place? Today’s interview is a variation of our typical Rooted questionnaire. In partnership with the Magnolia Independent Film Festival, which was held last weekend in Starkville, we interviewed filmmaker, artist, and activist Talamieka Brice, whose short film “Our Rebellious Hearts” received Honorable Mention at the festival. “Our Rebellious Hearts” follows internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Teneia Sanders as she creates a song for all the rebellious, wild women of the world. Below, Talamieka shares some insight into her experience of being a filmmaker from and in Mississippi.
Where are you from?
I'm from Montgomery County. I bounced around between Duck Hill and Kilmichael, with a pitstop in Winona from time to time growing up. I attended Jackson State University on an academic scholarship and fell in love with the city. I've been primarily here in Jackson ever since.
How long have you lived in Mississippi?
Most of my life. I've stayed and visited various places but Mississippi always calls me home.
What does “home” mean to you? How does Mississippi fit into that definition?
Home means, roots, sanctuary, grit and inspiration. There's fertile soil here.
How did you decide to become a filmmaker?
I fell into filmmaking during the pandemic. I'd just opened an art show with fellow artists Sabrina Howard and Adrienne Domnick titled “How We Fly.” It was beautiful, then the pandemic hit, everything closed and I was alone with my kids and creative energy with nowhere to let it out. I'd been inspired by filmmakers I met while judging the Magnolia Film Festival the year before. My son was turning five and entering school and it was triggering for me with my experience of growing up in a small town and having the KKK terrorize my family in both 1988 and 1993. That was the spark for my documentary “FIVE: A Mother’s Journey.”
Some of the greatest artists of all time were born right here in Mississippi. The soil is ripe with that good magic and juju.
Tell us about your film "Our Rebellious Hearts," and where the idea for the film came from.
ORH, came from producer, Teneia Sanders. She'd been tasked with crafting a feminist empowerment anthem for a new organization called Tandem. Teneia and I have worked on various projects together and I was thrilled to bring her vision for the song to life via directing. We spent time strategizing and filming was a day of magic. Everyone brought their best forward. I'm super grateful for my crew and the cast. It was like everyone knew we were creating something bigger than ourselves.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Rooted Magazine to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.