Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

BONNARIEN

Mauricette Bonnarien’s surname means “no good” in English, and she’s determined to change it. As a slam poet, Mauricette understands the power of words to cause harm. She decides to use her craft to free herself from the colonial name imposed on her ancestors and heal long-standing generational trauma. Through her poetry, she seeks to reclaim her identity and empower her community, turning a symbol of oppression into one of strength and resilience.

Q: What inspired the story behind your short film?
A: In 1848, when France abolished slavery, French officers renamed former slaves who had identification numbers. They were prohibited from using existing French names and were given names of plants, objects, places, or even the first names of former slave owners. To humiliate them, they were also given racist names such as Bonnarien (Nogood), Crétinoir (Stupidblack), Grosses-Fesses (Bigbutt), and Trouabal (Shootinghole). Today, some people still bear those names, particularly in French Guyana. My film is inspired by this history.

Q: Can you discuss any unique challenges you faced during production?
A: The main challenge was shooting on location 8000 kilometers away from Paris. Being in France made it difficult to rehearse with the actresses, so we had to prepare during different periods of residence.

Q: How did you approach character development within the limited runtime of a short film?
A: My character doesn’t go through major changes but rather experiences an awareness. She realizes that she is not “no good” and allows herself to be more confident and true to herself.

Q: What message or emotion do you hope the audience takes away from your film?
A: My film stems from anger, but I believe it carries a message of hope and strength. I hope it will address post-colonialism and highlight this repressed moment of French history, especially in a time of rising racism and intolerance.

Q: How do you see your short film fitting into your broader body of work or future projects?
A: My first short film, Bonnarien, is about identity. Although through different contexts, characters, and sets, I will continue to explore this important theme in my work.

Q: If you could cast any actor, living or dead, in your next project, who would it be and why?
A: Maybe Jamie Clayton, because she moves me a lot.

Q: What’s the most unexpected or funny thing that happened on set?
A: During a rehearsal, a snake jumped from the roof onto the main actress and myself! It aimed for a frog and wasn’t dangerous, but the moment was quite scary!

Q: If you could have a superpower to help you with filmmaking, what would it be and how would you use it?
A: Since I shot my film in French Guyana, my superpower would be to control the weather. I was really worried that we would have a lot of rain during the shooting.

Q: Why are festivals like the FAME Shorts Film Festival so important?
A: Festivals are crucial for connecting with the audience and other films that resonate with one another. These meetings inspire me and make me feel stronger. I love meeting other filmmakers and the audience to discover the new insights they bring to my film. Since my film is inspired by real events, hearing real testimonies from audiences at festivals has been very moving.

 

Directors

Length

20

Language

French

Country of production

France

Genre

Drama

Year

2023

Screening