As a child, I
stuttered. I often spent my young life
in silence, protected by my lioness-mother, Gloria; who feared the cruelty of the
others. My interactions with the outside
world were often limited, relying on books, movies, and my mother’s storytelling
for profound companionship. Molded by a
mother whose creativity had been stifled by an older generation’s way of
thinking. I was introduced to the world
of guided imagery and visualization, enhancing critical thinking and my ability
to create significant and effective films to create change; ‘through my childhood
lens.
‘GOD never met a woman he
didn’t love, that’s why he created so many of us.’ Gloria C. Reyes, 1933-2010
I was born in San Antonio, Texas, but I also grew up in
Italy, Holland and Terceira, Azores. I was as a military brat. Living and
growing up in different cultures and among so many children from different
parts of the United States was an incredible lesson to relationship building
and the value of a diverse community. I feel it is
important for me to utilize my skills and talents in creating film and stories
to explore and to create a world of safety for the storyteller, giving them
every opportunity to remember their commitment to those who can no longer speak
on their own behalf. The journey created
by my films and writings is my commitment to social justice and my
representation of my love for sharing the stories of ordinary people doing
extra-ordinary deeds. I am interested in
memory in relation to historical events that impact and change lives in a
community for the better. I believe that
personal stories and reflections can help bring into question stereotypical
portrayals that sometimes dominate our myths about each other. In hearing something familiar, we can be reminded
that we are not so very different. Film
and storytelling can help create a public record of little known and neglected
histories for future generations to come.
I am forever
changed by these personal and impactful stories, and by the mother who encouraged
me to go to Russia and find ‘Leo Tolstoy’ in 1974. I didn’t find Leo; instead discovered my creative
voice in Tolstoy’s Russia.
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