Shatara Michelle Ford Probes Queer Black Experiences Through the Road Trip Trope in Berlin Panorama Feature ‘Dreams in Nightmares’

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In Berlin for its first appearance on the international stage, Shatara Michelle Ford‘s second film, “Dreams in Nightmares,” tells the story of a spontaneous road journey through the heartland of America by queer Black women, as they search for their missing fourth companion who seems to have vanished.

After losing my job as a creative writing instructor, I found myself with an unexpected free pass to explore. Impulsively, I hopped on a plane from LA to New York City to catch up with old college friends Tasha and Lauren. Our reunion turned into a night of reminiscing and laughter. The next morning, we woke up to a startling realization – our friend Kel had gone mysteriously silent for too long. This revelation sparked an impromptu cross-country road trip across the United States. What unfolded was a heartfelt journey filled with healing, self-discovery, and moments of pure joy as we navigated our way back to each other.

The inception of Ford’s “Dreams in Nightmares,” showing at Berlin’s Panorama, stemmed from a desire to foster creativity within themselves and others who may feel drained and overworked for years – those resigned to the idea that their circumstances are unalterable.

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The creation of Ford’s “Dreams in Nightmares,” which will be screened at Berlin’s Panorama, was driven by a wish to inspire creativity and imagination in themselves and others who have been feeling burned out and overextended for years – those who believe that their situations are beyond change.

They claim there’s limited room for us to envision anything beyond what we see directly, as we often react rather than act proactively. Instead of utilizing various parts of our brain to create and design a more suitable environment, we tend to respond passively to circumstances.

One aim Ford has with this movie is to inspire viewers with the idea that there’s more to life than what we perceive and interact with. He suggests that the decisions made by the people we value most often challenge us to view things from a fresh perspective. If we’re open to these new ideas or if they encourage us, we can unlock possibilities within ourselves.

As a moviegoer immersed in this narrative, I can’t help but feel the profound resonance between the trio’s journey and the daily challenges faced by Black and queer communities. Scenes like their tense encounter with friends’ parents or uneasy moments at a roadside diner echo the uncertainties we navigate every day.

However, despite these hardships, there’s an undeniable spirit of resilience that shines through. The trio not only survived but also found ways to celebrate life, build their own family, and envision brighter futures beyond their current struggles. They remind us all that joy, connection, and imagination can be our most powerful weapons against adversity.

The movie beautifully expresses the close-knit bonds queer individuals often form, a topic seldom delved into on screen. As Ford explains, “Everyone yearns for the assurance that their family accepts them wholeheartedly, understanding whatever they reveal about themselves.” However, this longing for support and acceptance transcends beyond just queer communities. “I wanted to examine the fact that it’s a continuum, affecting both families and individuals,” says Ford. “It’s a spectrum of how accepting a family is, given their unique circumstances and experiences, but also a spectrum of an individual’s ability and willingness to be truly themselves around those they consider most significant.” Ford further adds, “I believe this struggle goes beyond gender, sexuality, or orientation. We all grapple with it.

Regarding future projects, Ford seems interested in exploring a genre that has become increasingly rare: mid-budget adult semi-crime-thrillers. They express a fondness for movies like “Insomnia” and “Panic Room”. It appears they’re yearning for more productions in this specific genre.

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2025-02-16 08:17