Ifé Franklin: The Slave Narrative of Willie Mae

Ifé Franklin has produced and directed this remarkable short film entitled The Slave Narrative of Willie Mae. These moving 20 minutes represent just three out of 17 scenes of the book, of the same title, on which it is based. The depth of the collaboration among multiple talented artists is impressive. Letta Neely, who edited Franklin’s volume of historical fiction (Wild Heart Press, 2018), also wrote the script for this film. The actors are riveting, not the least Qualina Lewis as Willie Mae, the young enslaved woman whom her mother, an elder aunt, and a sister field hand are preparing for escape. The multi-talented Michael Gordon Penn provides a frightening threat as the overseer. Their cooperative work together on this film mirrors the joint efforts of these women to save the youngest amongst them from the brutalities of Lenox Tobacco Plantation in 1852.

Ifé Franklin has combined community activism and a rich and outstanding variety of artistic expressions since high school, when she began to study photography. Over the years she has added many layers to her arts education and has produced an impressive range of installations and visual arts. Watch her short film here. Her hope is to bring the full story to the screen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xSdDfMfcI4&ab_channel=If%C3%A9Franklin

 

Comments

[Michael Gordon Penn]

This is a wonderful review of a project I have to thank it's writer and director Ife Franklin for, her having me do a role I found most difficult and challenging to my spirit, actually, because of how I feel about the entire subject of slavery. But this film is a totally about the strength and endurance of LOVE. Through Ife's direction, and all of the cast and other crew members support and bonding, the way in which we did all of my acting efforts were made just that, good acting. Thank you Sue Katz. Thank all involved with this wonderful production.

[Theodore J. Kerecz]

After viewing this incredible work twice; I must say how impressed I am. The attention to specific details and dialog; truly conveys the drama and the intensity of that time.
Imagining myself as any of the characters, I could only try to understand the fear, uncertainties, and the conflict each character experienced. Michael Gordon Penn's portrayal of the overseer is strong. He is a figure who must have risen to his power and status, by "selling out" himself. There has to be conflict in his heart between being a slave of higher status, and to knowing the struggles of those yearning to be free.
Ms. Qualina Lewis represents a person determined to keeping her tribal rituals long passed on between generations. Yet, she is at the crossroads between slavery and freedom. She is afraid of both, yet knowingly trusts her family for securing her way to another life.
Ifé Franklin and Letta Neely have crafted a beautiful story, both in words and vision, that pays honor to the struggles of freedom, compassion, and determination.