In honor of Junteenth, Howard University graduate, Saint Richardson, has released a short film called Save The Black: Queen. Through Richardson’s lens, the seventeen minute film explores the experiences of black women in America over time.
In an eloquent statement, Richardson explained the film’s purpose by saying, “I’ll start by saying that this film, in its essence, is a direct resemblance of the black woman’s experience in America. Her experience overtime is one of paradox; it has so many ambiguous dynamics. She lives in a world where everyone wants to be her but no one wants to be her. Where everyone wants her essence but doesn’t pay homage. She has in many ways become captive to society’s thirst for her nature and that is why the film is being released on Juneteenth, a day of freedom. I’m not speaking about the typical fake freedom that only lasts for a moment. Juneteenth represents true freedom, and this film takes a direct aim at the black woman’s Divine ordinance to be free. I want her to be able to live in a world where people are not trying to take pieces of her and use them for their benefit. I don’t think she has ever been able to just simply exist. She has provided, inspired, healed and nurtured us, yet we have taken, abused, and simply drained her of her light. Pain, hope, sadness, life, death and truth has been her story. The black woman has seen all these elements profusely in her life, but that’s her power. She is everything at once. She is Truth.”
For those interested in learning more about Richardson’s work, view the film above and check out Maroon Spirit on Vimeo.
