I Am Be
Film / Video2016, 13 minutes (watch trailer)
I AM BE is an experimental narrative film written, directed and edited by visual artist Cheri Gaulke. The short film is a retelling of the Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone through a contemporary lens of sexual violence and female empowerment. The female characters of mother and daughter tell the ancient story through voice-over while a contemporary story is played out onscreen. It is the culminating artistic piece of a 2-year collaborative digital storytelling project with A Window Between Worlds, a non-profit organization that uses art as a healing tool to empower and transform those impacted by violence and trauma.
The film stars Maggie Baird, Jennifer Lange, McCabe Slye, Rees Pugh, and dancer Kiki Solia, with voice-over by Caroline Aaron. It is produced by Christine Papalexis and Cheryl Bookout. ASC award-winning cinematographer Nico Aguilar is Director of Photography and shot the film on the RED camera. Cheri Gaulke is an award-winning artist and the recent recipient of a mid-career Visual Artist’s Fellowship from the California Community Foundation. The film was completed in August 2016.
