Ep 8 Reframing Stereotypes: Independent Film as a vehicle for resistance with Michela Carattini and Bolude Watson

Filmesque is hosted by Sage Godrei an award-winning writer and actor who explores all things story-driven with filmmakers and producers. Today's discussion is centred around the premiere of new Australian feature film Carmen & Bolude. Michela Carattini and Bolude Watson are the co-creators and stars of this new film which had its world premiere is LA and its Australian premiere in Sydney 19th March. Bolude Watson is a Nigerian-born, American-raised actress. Her move from Los Angeles to Sydney led to a flourishing film career, including a starring role in the Sci-fi feature “Blue World Order,” a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Australian Academy Awards for the feature drama “Hearts and Bones” - in which she starred opposite Hugo Weaving, and a series regular role in the Netflix hit series "Heartbreak High." Bolude has been awarded CGA Rising Star, a prestigious award given by the Casting Guild Australia. As an African-American with a deep passion for storytelling, Bolude's goal is to be part of the movement that creates space for diverse voices in film and television. "Carmen & Bolude" is based on her love story.Michela Carattini is a Panamanian-Australian filmmaker and human rights activist who believes in the power of story to influence thinking and still be downright fun. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with a BA in Psychology and Creative Writing, and from the University of Sydney Law School with a Masters in Criminology. A professional actor of stage and screen for over 30 years, her simultaneous work in the area of reducing “violence against women” globally brought her to writing and directing her own films, including the documentary "When Home is Where the Hurt Is" highlighting the diversity of domestic violence survivors in Australia, "Unspoiled by Feminism” based on research she conducted while working in anti-human-trafficking in Prague, Czech Republic, the cyber-harassment thriller "Remote Access" and the social media comedy series “Americans in Oz”. "Carmen & Bolude" is based on her identity story and is her auteurial feature debut.IMDb page (including Awards & Nominations): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1522668/