From the Labs: Kerry Warkia on Centering Indigenous Values and Decolonizing Her Storytelling

We've been conditioned to think that storytelling is a solo journey - the brooding writer, the singular genius director, etc - but it doesn't need to be. Filmmaker and producer Kerry Warkia has been cracking this myth (and internalized colonization of film) wide open through her arresting work over the last two decades. When the Papua New Guinean/Scottish filmmaker sat down with fellows during the 2021 Ignite labs for a long conversation, she dove deep into the ideation, production, and distribution of her sophomore feature VAI.

The film, which follows the life of Vai through individual segments written and directed by nine separate Pacific Va'ine, highlights the shared culture and unique aspects of life on seven Pacific islands. Collaboration and communication were essential to the ideation and production of VAI. It's a conversation for everyone to have because the decisions you make create ripple effects, Warkia says via Zoom. Things affect others and, so having as many perspectives at the table, bringing their ideas and bringing their solutions to things makes everything richer. It might take a little bit longer, but it just makes everything better.

Warkia's dedication to the communal storytelling process is palpable through the Labs conversation. Below, learn more about Warkia's ideation and production process surrounding VAI in her own words and watch the full conversation for free here.

LINK:	https://www.sundance.org/blogs/from-the-labs-kerry-warkia-centering-in...
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