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Anthonia Nneamaka Onyejekwe is a Nigerian-American filmmaker, content creator and blogger from Oakland, CA. She has passion for telling stories through visual media and believes that representation matters in front and behind the camera. Anthonia has produced and directed content for major production companies, independent projects, and created a non-profit film program called REEL Oakland for Bay Area youth.
Give your overall impressions of the film. What did it do well and what did it lack?
I thought the film did well in highlighting Sandra Bland as an educated and socially impactful Black female leader. It did an excellent job at balancing the legal storyline and Sandra’s [personality] as a thriving, loving and vocal Black woman. It also showed the relentless drive Bland’s family and legal team had in order to seek justice for Sandra.
As I watched the film, I thought about the international influence Sandra’s death had on folks who lived outside of the U.S. Her death sparked a lot of controversy overseas that I wish that was mentioned in the film.
Do you think moments like #OscarsSoWhite overlook issues within the documentary filmmaking space?
I do believe #OscarsSoWhite overlooked the issues within the documentary realm because it focused primarily on diversifying actors/directors/screenwriters etc. in the narrative film categories. I’ve been overlooked and disregarded by my white counterparts because I am a Black female director/producer.
What makes you hopeful things are changing or will change for the better in the industry?
The industry will become diverse because many filmmakers of color are determined to tell stories about our experiences in the world. I created an after school film program, REEL Oakland, that allows inner city students of color to create their own short films. Ultimately, this exposure will encourage them to get in front and behind the camera to change the way we see Hollywood films.
What is your best advice to an aspiring Black woman filmmaker about overcoming racial bias in the industry?
Do not give up, press past the negativity and racism within the industry. Do not be afraid of your power to enact change through media, it is completely acceptable to be unapologetically Black.