Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project

Going to Mars is a feature documentary that takes us through the mindscape of legendary poet, Nikki Giovanni, as she reflects on her life and legacy. Nikki’s voice guides us across time and space, through dreams and remembrances, across decades of American history, as the film reimagines her most iconic work with visual lyricism fit for a poet. Present day finds Nikki in her late chapter of life, reckoning with health struggles and the inevitable march of time. However, in her art and dreams, Nikki ventures beyond her own lifetime, to Middle Passage and Mars, always keeping hold of possibility. She urges us to dream of a better future where equity and justice reign, and Black women lead, calling us to action with an unforgettable mantra: “We’re Going to Mars.”

Film Stills

Image Caption: Featured image for ‘Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project’. Image Caption: Featured image for ‘Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project’.

Links

Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project (2022)

Feature (92mins) Documentary Biography

Region:

United States of America

Language:

English

Rating:

No Rating

Director(s):

Joe Brewster | Michèle Stephenson

Showtimes:

Fri 22 Sep 2023, 8.00pm, MovieTowne, POS—Screen 09

Mon 25 Sep 2023, 8.00pm, MovieTowne, POS—Screen 10 Q+A

T+T Premiere, Caribbean Premiere


Joe Brewster

Joe Brewster

Joe Brewster is a renowned filmmaker who, alongside his wife Michèle Stephenson, co-founded Rada Studio in 2006. His work is characterized by a strong commitment to challenging traditional narratives and reimagining the storytelling landscape, with a focus on the experiences of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities. Notably, his feature documentary “American Promise” earned the Jury Prize at Sundance and received three Emmy nominations. He also contributed to the documentary “Stateless,” which garnered a nomination for Best Feature Documentary at the Canadian Academy Awards. Joe’s artistic versatility extends to virtual reality, exemplified in the immersive trilogy “The Changing Same,” which explores racial terror and premiered at Sundance, gaining recognition at the Tribeca Festival. Beyond his numerous accolades, he is a Guggenheim fellow and a prominent member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, solidifying his position as a pioneering force in the world of documentary storytelling.

Michèle Stephenson

Joe Brewster

Michèle Stephenson is a visionary filmmaker who aims to disrupt conventional storytelling and champion narratives by and for BIPOC communities. Her work challenges preconceived notions and offers profound insights.

One of Michèle’s notable achievements is “American Promise,” a feature documentary that received the Jury Prize at Sundance and three Emmy nominations. Her involvement in “Stateless” also earned it a Best Feature Documentary nomination at the Canadian Academy Awards. Michèle’s innovative storytelling extends to virtual reality with the magical realist trilogy “The Changing Same,” which explores racial terror and gained recognition at Sundance and the Tribeca Festival.

As a Guggenheim fellow and esteemed member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Michèle Stephenson continues to push the boundaries of documentary filmmaking, amplifying underrepresented voices and reshaping narratives in the process.

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