“Young people have strong opinions about issues that are dividing us, and these films will demonstrate their ability to bring their ideas to the forefront,” Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative Executive Director Diane Pearlman said in a nod to four short films created in collaboration with local filmmakers who served as mentors to students and their teachers.
Hudson, N.Y. — Cutting straight to the chase, hair has always been a big part of Amani Kanaga’s life. As a child, her mother took the time to painstakingly braid her daughter’s hair as a means of establishing a connection; and of course she cut her own hair, like all kids, which “didn’t go well.” Then, in February of last year, Kanaga began to cut her friends’ hair in the living room of her Hudson home. While the first few cuts didn’t turn out great, the 16-year-old didn’t give up and, by extension, got progressively better—ultimately garnering the attention of a local barber who caught wind of her talents (and his competition!). The whole story is chronicled in “Cutting Connections,” the Hudson High School student’s short film, created in collaboration with classmate Kenold Dorce, as part of “The Bridging Divides, Healing Communities Youth Film Lab,” a joint effort led by the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative and the Civic Life Project during the 2022-23 academic year.
“I enjoy cutting hair, so I’m just gonna take that as a career,” Kanaga told The Edge, explaining that she and Dorce—both juniors in high school—worked with Meghan Abitabile, their social studies teacher and filmmaker iin Purwanti of OUTPOST in West Stockbridge in the pair’s first foray into filmmaking. That said, the choice of topic was not surprising for a student whose side hustle has ultimately helped her to deal with social anxiety, connect with others, and build self-esteem.
“I think sort of organically, hair became a part of her life,” said Beth Kanaga, Amani’s mother, citing the inherent link between African hair and culture—which equates not only to connection, but also to a platform via which to engage in essential conversations.
“We’re thrilled to give local students the opportunity to learn about filmmaking and make their voices heard. It’s an important example of how civic engagement can involve both creativity and technical media skills,” said Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative Executive Director Diane Pearlman of this year’s initiative, aimed at enabling local students to voice their concerns and present their vision for a better future in short films. A free screening, panel discussion, and Q&A with the student filmmakers will take place on Tuesday, May 2 at 6 p.m. at the Fisher Science & Academic Center on the campus of Bard College at Simon’s Rock. They will be joined by Dien Vo, independent filmmaker and Simon’s Rock faculty member; iin Purwanti, social activist, documentary filmmaker, and media entrepreneur; and Jana Laiz, an author and educator who has worked with refugees as a counselor and ESL teacher.
“Young people have strong opinions about issues that are dividing us, and these films will demonstrate their ability to bring their ideas to the forefront,” Pearlman said in a nod to four short films—touching on diverse, topical subjects, including the resettlement of refugees; the disengagement of young people from politics; and how making a traditional food together can bond people from different backgrounds—created in collaboration with local filmmakers who served as mentors to students and their teachers. The remaining trio of entries are: “Messy Room” by Ashu Thara Rai, Bard College at Simon’s Rock; “Resettle” by Yonah Sadeh, Bard College at Simon’s Rock; and “The Bagel Shop” by Solana Priestley, Bard College at Simon’s Rock. The Youth Film Lab is funded by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation as part of its multi-year initiative to strengthen community ties through collaborative projects that cultivate understanding across differences.
“I’m a shy person, I’m not that social,” said Kanaga, who calls cutting hair “just fun”—which means getting so much attention for something she simply loves has been tough at times. Still, she’s got her eye on the future.
Kanaga will turn 17 in June—a milestone she plans to celebrate by traveling to Albany with Canary (of Aikonyc Cutz on Columbia Street in Hudson) to get her apprenticeship. She plans to work under his license, starting this summer and after school come fall, for two years before earning her own license and, hopefully, opening her own shop.
As to Kanaga’s ultimate goal: “I want people to know me for my work,” which, in the coming days, might be as a barber and a filmmaker. Her advice to other young people contemplating the road less traveled: “I mean, just do what you set your mind to …and don’t let anyone tear [your dreams] down, you know what I’m saying? If you love something, and you want to do it—even if it starts getting hard—don’t give up.”