Last spring, the Propeller Group opened “Reincarnations” at Mia, a music video installation that abstractly captures the surreal, sensual, thumping nature of funeral traditions in Vietnam. This summer, a group of Twin Cities media students from the SPNN program toured the installation, then worked with local artist Xiaolu Wang to make their own video in response. It’s called FEAR*LESS.
Here’s SPNN’s Bee Xiong talking about the experience:
“FEAR*LESS” filmmakers: (left to right) Devon Ek, Bee Xiong, and Thaw Tu Hso.
If you were to ask me about the Minneapolis Institute of Art a few months ago, I wouldn’t have known what to say besides the fact that they have art there. Thankfully, St. Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN) took their Youth Media Leaders—including me—there for a small tour. This was when I learned about the Propeller Group’s exhibit. I thought it was just going to be a simple documentary.
To my surprise, it was far from simple. It was very abstract and there were many things you wouldn’t see on a day-to-day basis, but because I am Hmong I understood the funeral celebrations and the reincarnation idea. It really reminded me of my previous religion.
Through Mia’s workshop, three of us went on our own to film. Then we met again and showed our videos, and by the final day we had our music and all our footage, and all we had left to do was put it together and think of a name. We came up with FEAR*LESS because when we were still brainstorming we talked about our fears and how the process could help us overcome them.
In a way, making this film made me fear less about what people thought, because when I showed the short film to my family and friends they only expressed support and excitement for me. It was a relief to know they’re cheering me on.
Here’s the video.