Do You Mind Online Premiere (members only)
February 28, 2008 by souloperator
Key Crew
Director: M. Asli Dukan
Cinematographer: Olive Demetrius
Writer: Hanifah Walidah
Producers: Hanifah Walidah, Olive Demetrius and M. Asli Dukan
Set Design: Ola Ronke
Makeup: Stacey Compton-Maga
Wardrobe: Vanessa King
Assistant Director: Clarivel Ruiz
Assistant Camera: Rommel Genciana
Second Assistant Camera: C. Sala Hewitt
Still Photographer: Anya Dennis
Grip: Anthony Thomas
Production Assistants: Tera Barnum, Alexis Lambright, Flo Garvey, Marilyn Lee
beautiful video– made me think of how we can sometimes let the fear keep us from each other– the fear of society and violence. how we need to remember the beauty we have together in our love for each other and to show it!
I loved the way it allowed the u people film to narrorate the music video portion just enough but not too much like a commercial. I have yet to see the film and have built up such an appreication for it’s work and content thru these podcasts and website promotions and videos. The story created between the two women was enlightening to the lyrics, giving me a better appreciation of the song. I Like the Grown and Sexy L Style. The Social Commentary pulled in a reality break for me while watching that really pierced my emotions. I am further amazed by your tenacity and raw ability to capture an unabridged reality in black. Touche`
LOVE IT!
Loved it! Beautifully done. So… when are U People coming to Cali??
And I do mean the movie as well as the dynamic duo..
In due time I would suspect. At this point maybe latter June or early fall. We will keep you posted on the site.
I found the cutaways to the documentary footage a bit jarring. I would’ve preferred to stay lost in the sensuousness of the video. Other than that, excellent job. I continue to be inspired by your creativity and commitment to your art. Keep it up.
I will always support U people!
this was so F’ing amazing! really … i love everything about it.
so that was my first comment … but after moving past the tears, I can explain to you why the project itself is so amazing.
Michael Cornelius said “Speak your truth and speak it quick” … so i’ll try.
I remember being cross-legged on the couch, in America, with my West African mother, watching Oprah. I was ten. She, 35. Greg Louganis, sitting on Oprah’s couch was also 35, announcing to a world of millions that he had AIDS. Somehow, the only thing that mattered to me, the only thing I can remember, was in a room of two, I was suddenly all alone. “Well, he got what he deserved, then” my mother spoke spitefully. With seven words, I knew my first and only true best-friend had deserted me. She hated fags which meant she hated lesbians and before I even knew who or what that was I knew she hated me since I had been longing to touch and hold soft things, finger through sweet-smelling hair, kiss two lips much like my own, since I could remember knowing who or what I was. And this is what I’ve lived with. I’ve come out three times to my mother to be reminded that “I have always liked boys” or that “I am” her “daughter, and this is not what” she “wants for me.” It is hard to know what you want for yourself when the person who made you has condemned you to continuously fall subject to their will, a will they have no idea is one long ago constructed by laws, politics, modes of knowing. It is hard to exist and live caring for the opinion of no one, when the only opinion that has ever mattered to you says you shouldn’t exist. And I write this now because I have been scared. I am still scared, but everyday pray, “Lord, make me so uncomfortable that I will do the very thing I fear:” the only thing I’ve ever feared being speaking my own truth. And so, this is my comment. Quick or not, I am a lesbian, I am not the only one, we do exist. Like it or not. And nothing short of the freedom we fight for is what we deserve.
@Kholi
Thank you so much for your comment. This was very beautiful. I am glad that this site and our work is providing a forum where sentiment likwe this can be expressed.
I hope this isn’t your last comment
Olive
absolutely not the last comment. do you know how long I was made to feel like I was the only west african lesbian living? Girlllll, I got a lot to say. lol
wow … sidenote … the typo in the website url for my first two comments is … amazing. ha! such is my life.
My partner and I enjoyed this video, song etc immensely. We were immediately drawn into it. The fact is that we have never seen a video portray a love or relationship so intensely in such a short period of time. It was beyond amazing. My partner quickly connected with the theme that outside forces often push or pull one partner away from the other, however I loved the sensuality of the music. It was breath-taking. You have set the bar pretty high now, we look forward to much, much more.
Beautiful!!! I love the artistic view that the film had along with the deep message that it conveyed. Also, I can;t wait to see the doc, come to chi-town!!!
I have had this song on my iPod for quite a while, and Ive wondered what the video would look like. I loved it!:)
That was hawt! I’m sure you’ve heard a million times that you sound like Meshell NdegeOcello. I will have to check out the movie. Lovely clip. Thanks.
Hot! Keep the vids coming!
wonderful vid. love the sound Hanyfah’s sulty voive, color tone earthly connects with the black woman. very sensual. excellent directing to make artists’ chemistry come alive as a couple
The video is extremely well done. Hanifah (as always) is totally hot.
This was a beautiful video