In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with Chris Hastings, Executive Producer of the World Channel and Hillevi Loven, Director of the documentary DEEP RUN that premieres on the second season of REEL SOUTH January 15th on the World Channel. DEEP RUN chronicles an eight-year portrait of LGBTQ teen 17 year-old Jasmine who is exiled by family, rejected by an ex and then finds a new love and the courage to become Cole, a strong-willed transgender man in rural North Carolina. Loven captures Cole’s intimate transition process with candid humor and sensitivity as he deals with emotional dilemmas brought on by his Christian beliefs and the bigotry he experiences on a daily basis. Executive produced by Susan Sarandon, DEEP RUN is a must-see documentary and a true love story in these turbulent times. We talked to Chris about the importance of telling this story on the World Channel and Hillevi’s inspiration and commitment to DEEP RUN as well as their spin on our LGBTQ issues.
When asked as allies what their personal commitments to LGBT civil rights is Hastings stated, “My commitment is I want always to remind people that when we think about civil rights it’s not about white and black anymore. Diversity is such a broad idea and this idea of being inclusive is what we need to remind people that we need to be inclusive and that also means LGBT and so we have to continue to remind people that just as we fight for civil rights in the sixties and fight for civil rights in 2016 we have to make the LGBT community a part of that equation. When you look at some of the different stories that have come out of the past week we have to remind people that inclusion isn’t just about race anymore, it isn’t about gender, specifically women. It’s about how people are living today and for me it’s important to continue to tell those stories to remind people these are our equals, these are part of the broader community. They are the broader community and these are important stories we have to keep putting out there until people understand that they are just like you or I, they are me or you and they are our brothers and sisters and they have to be part of the greater good of sharing story.” Loven added, “I would say on a more personal note I as a straight, white girl growing up in Chelsea in the West Village born and bred New Yorker, Chelsea in the West Village were my, those are my homes and I always felt like I was part of the LGBT community and an ally and the LGBTQ community also just provided incredible inspiration and support personally for me and then also throughout the years of making and finishing this film. So I have a commitment to stand up for those around me basically.”
Hillevi Loven is a filmmaker, producer and still photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is making her feature-film directing debut with DEEP RUN. As a Sundance Documentary Fellow, she took part in the Sundance labs while completing DEEP RUN. DEEP RUN is the culmination of years of Hillevi’s own social justice work which began with teaching media arts to LGBT youth at the Hetrick Martin Institute in NYC.
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I'm glad to know about this film Deep Run and was not familiar with Reel South. Can't wait to see it.
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