Female Filmmakers Lab #WIF Podcast Series - Directors Edition

Yunjin Woo and Jewell Sparks discuss spirituality, hallucinogenic balms for women, the pandemic and more. What is the difference between the a fairytale and witchcraft.  So many people feel confined and utilize different mediums to escape.

 Yunjin La-mei Woo is a conceptual artist and a cultural-studies researcher who examines what it means to be human or otherwise, especially through the metaphors of contagion. "I Was a Spiritual Medium” addresses that topic of escape from submission. Women want to have control over their lives. Young, powerless princesses grew up in despair, neglected and abused by their own families. Yearning for power and control over their lives, they enter into the world of magic and spirits. Witchcraft promises them with more than what they have—an escape from cruelty or life in a different world. This power to manipulate reality, however, seems to be at odds with finding their true love. Knights in shining armor suddenly arrive and demand the princesses to make an impossible choice between feeling accepted and preserving their only means of control.

Born as the granddaughter of a Korean shaman, her practice is informed by her research on how images of the infectious, non-human, or supernatural intersect with issues of power, gender, class, and ethnicity. Her work encompasses experimental video, performance, sculpture, installation, writing, and participatory projects.

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks (Female Filmmakers Festival, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures)

Music by: Sandy Sukrisno (Sparkie Brown Productions)

Yunjin discusses the harvesting of the discomfort we are feeling during the pandemic. How can we utilize these feelings to implement change?

Yunjin La-mei Woo is a conceptual artist and a cultural-studies researcher who examines what it means to be human or otherwise, especially through the metaphors of contagion. "I Was a Spiritual Medium” addresses that topic of escape from submission. Women want to have control over their lives. Young, powerless princesses grew up in despair, neglected and abused by their own families. Yearning for power and control over their lives, they enter into the world of magic and spirits. Witchcraft promises them with more than what they have—an escape from cruelty or life in a different world. This power to manipulate reality, however, seems to be at odds with finding their true love. Knights in shining armor suddenly arrive and demand the princesses to make an impossible choice between feeling accepted and preserving their only means of control.

Born as the granddaughter of a Korean shaman, her practice is informed by her research on how images of the infectious, non-human, or supernatural intersect with issues of power, gender, class, and ethnicity. Her work encompasses experimental video, performance, sculpture, installation, writing, and participatory projects.

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks (Female Filmmakers Lab Berlin, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures)

Why is the pandemic happening in the first place? Was it caused due to the hushing of the "status quo.?  Yunjin discusses with Jewell her thoughts.

Yunjin La-mei Woo is a conceptual artist and a cultural-studies researcher who examines what it means to be human or otherwise, especially through the metaphors of contagion. "I Was a Spiritual Medium” addresses that topic of escape from submission. Women want to have control over their lives. Young, powerless princesses grew up in despair, neglected and abused by their own families. Yearning for power and control over their lives, they enter into the world of magic and spirits.

Born as the granddaughter of a Korean shaman, her practice is informed by her research on how images of the infectious, non-human, or supernatural intersect with issues of power, gender, class, and ethnicity. Her work encompasses experimental video, performance, sculpture, installation, writing, and participatory projects.

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks (Female Filmmakers Festival, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures)

Music by: Sandy Sukrisno (Sparkie Brown Productions)

Is it time to redefine a new normal? Jewell and Yunjin discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on society.

Yunjin La-mei Woo is a conceptual artist and a cultural-studies researcher who examines what it means to be human or otherwise, especially through the metaphors of contagion. Her film "I Was a Spiritual Medium” was screened during the Female Filmmakers Festival Berlin and addresses that topic of escape from submission. Women want to have control over their lives. Young, powerless princesses grew up in despair, neglected and abused by their own families. Yearning for power and control over their lives, they enter into the world of magic and spirits. Witchcraft promises them with more than what they have—an escape from cruelty or life in a different world. This power to manipulate reality, however, seems to be at odds with finding their true love. Knights in shining armor suddenly arrive and demand the princesses to make an impossible choice between feeling accepted and preserving their only means of control.

Born as the granddaughter of a Korean shaman, her practice is informed by her research on how images of the infectious, non-human, or supernatural intersect with issues of power, gender, class, and ethnicity. Her work encompasses experimental video, performance, sculpture, installation, writing, and participatory projects.

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks (Female Filmmakers Lab Berlin, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures)

Music by: Sandy Sukrisno (Sparkie Brown Productions)

Yunjin Woo and Jewell Sparks discuss what is legitimate versus illegitimate means of escape. 

Yunjin La-mei Woo is a conceptual artist and a cultural-studies researcher who examines what it means to be human or otherwise, especially through the metaphors of contagion. "I Was a Spiritual Medium” addresses that topic of escape from submission. Women want to have control over their lives. Young, powerless princesses grew up in despair, neglected and abused by their own families. Yearning for power and control over their lives, they enter into the world of magic and spirits. Witchcraft promises them with more than what they have—an escape from cruelty or life in a different world. This power to manipulate reality, however, seems to be at odds with finding their true love. Knights in shining armor suddenly arrive and demand the princesses to make an impossible choice between feeling accepted and preserving their only means of control.

Born as the granddaughter of a Korean shaman, her practice is informed by her research on how images of the infectious, non-human, or supernatural intersect with issues of power, gender, class, and ethnicity. Her work encompasses experimental video, performance, sculpture, installation, writing, and participatory projects.

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks (Female Filmmakers Film Lab, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures)

Music by: Sandy Sukrisno (Sparkie Brown Productions)

Lilli Tautfest’s film “Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” had it’s Berlin premiere during a film festival in Berlin. Lilli was born in Munich and works as a director and author. She completed her studies at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne, where she majored in screenwriting and directing.

“Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” is about Kamilla (40) who lives with her mother Gudrun (72) in a secluded house in Italy, surrounded only by vineyards and forest. She takes care of the land, farm and of disabled Gudrun. A tense relationship is binding the two together. When the mysterious stranger Rocco (35) turns up, wanted by the police, Kamilla hides him against the will of her mother. Kamilla and Rocco begin a passionate affair. The smoldering dispute between mother and daughter flares up.

Guest: Lilli Tautfest

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks ( Female Filmmakers Lab Berlin, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures) and Sandy Sukrisno (Sparkie Brown Productions)

Music: Song: You Don't Know Me (Nah Nah)

Artist/Performer: STORRY

Written and produced by STORRY & Yotam Baum

Jewell asks Lilli how people can work with her on the next film...

Lilli Tautfest’s film “Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” had it’s Berlin premiere during a film festival in Berlin. Lilli was born in Munich and works as a director and author. She completed her studies at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne, where she majored in screenwriting and directing.

“Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” is about Kamilla (40) who lives with her mother Gudrun (72) in a secluded house in Italy, surrounded only by vineyards and forest. She takes care of the land, farm and of disabled Gudrun. A tense relationship is binding the two together. When the mysterious stranger Rocco (35) turns up, wanted by the police, Kamilla hides him against the will of her mother. Kamilla and Rocco begin a passionate affair. The smoldering dispute between mother and daughter flares up.

Guest: Lilli Tautfest

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks (Female Filmmakers Film Lab, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures) and Sandy Sukrisno (Sparkie Brown Productions)

How do you make films during the pandemic? 

Lilli Tautfest’s film “Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” had it’s Berlin premiere during a film festival in Berlin. Lilli was born in Munich and works as a director and author. She completed her studies at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne, where she majored in screenwriting and directing.

“Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” is about Kamilla (40) who lives with her mother Gudrun (72) in a secluded house in Italy, surrounded only by vineyards and forest. She takes care of the land, farm and of disabled Gudrun. A tense relationship is binding the two together. When the mysterious stranger Rocco (35) turns up, wanted by the police, Kamilla hides him against the will of her mother. Kamilla and Rocco begin a passionate affair. The smoldering dispute between mother and daughter flares up.

Guest: Lilli Tautfest

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks (Female Filmmakers Film Lab, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures) and Sandy Sukrisno (Sparkie Brown Productions)

What was Lilli doing during the pandemic? 

Lilli Tautfest’s film “Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” had it’s Berlin premiere during the Female Filmmakers Festival Berlin. Lilli was born in Munich and works as a director and author. She completed her studies at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne, where she majored in screenwriting and directing.

“Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” is about Kamilla (40) who lives with her mother Gudrun (72) in a secluded house in Italy, surrounded only by vineyards and forest. She takes care of the land, farm and of disabled Gudrun. A tense relationship is binding the two together. When the mysterious stranger Rocco (35) turns up, wanted by the police, Kamilla hides him against the will of her mother. Kamilla and Rocco begin a passionate affair. The smoldering dispute between mother and daughter flares up.

Guest: Lilli Tautfest

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks (Female Filmmakers Festival, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures) and Sandy Sukrisno (Sparkie Brown Productions)

Lilli talks about how she financed her film. 

Lilli Tautfest’s film “Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” had it’s Berlin premiere during the Female Filmmakers Festival Berlin. Lilli was born in Munich and works as a director and author. She completed her studies at the Academy of Media Arts in Cologne, where she majored in screenwriting and directing.

“Mama Told Me Not To Look Into The Sun” is about Kamilla (40) who lives with her mother Gudrun (72) in a secluded house in Italy, surrounded only by vineyards and forest. She takes care of the land, farm and of disabled Gudrun. A tense relationship is binding the two together. When the mysterious stranger Rocco (35) turns up, wanted by the police, Kamilla hides him against the will of her mother. Kamilla and Rocco begin a passionate affair. The smoldering dispute between mother and daughter flares up.

Guest: Lilli Tautfest

Created & Produced by: Jewell Sparks (Female Filmmakers Festival, Startup42 Media, BITHOUSE GROUP / UNITED17 Ventures) and Sandy Sukrisno (Sparkie Brown Productions)