There's Nothing About Mary: An NYU Grad Short Film

Hi y’all, my name is Kemi Layeni. I’m a former high school English teacher and am currently a second-year MFA candidate at NYU Tisch’s Graduate Film Program (alumni include Spike Lee, Ang Lee, Martin Scorsese, Shaka King, and Chloe Zhao). For anyone who is close to me and has known me for a while, they know that being an artist/filmmaker and attending film school has been my dream since I was 10, and now I actually get to do that every day.

Black people, and specifically, Black women, are at the center of my creative and cinematic universe, and my goal with my filmmaking is not just to tell these stories through a comedic lens, but to showcase my community and hometown of Hampton, Virginia/The 757 region.

Right now, I’m currently gearing up for my next short film, There’s Nothing About Mary, and we need your support to turn this dream of a film into reality.

THE STORY

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Mary Bamidele is at rock bottom: financially, emotionally, and romantically. But on the night of a family event, Mary learns that in order to move forward in her life she must face the one thing she’s been running away from, herself.

There’s Nothing About Mary takes characters (the Bennet sisters and co.) from the world of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, makes them modern, Black, and Nigerian-American, but instead of focusing on the universally loved Lizzie Bennet, my film focuses on the forgotten and often overlooked middle sister, Mary.

I mean who hasn’t felt like they weren’t important or that they were behind in life or that they were somehow failing. That’s what my film is about and the people that help us remember who we are.

My film is a dramedy (drama + comedy) that focuses on a young twentysomething almost 30 year old Black woman trying to figure out her life and her place in her family.

I was inspired by times in my twenties when I was really struggling and felt alone. There were many times I just wanted to turn on TV and find someone who looks like me that was also struggling, but still trying to move forward and make things happen. Now that shows like Insecure and Rap Sh*t by Issa Rae, Atlanta by Donald Glover, and Twenties by Lena Waithe are no longer on the air, there is a void of stories about young Black people just trying to make it and survive. And I believe that’s important to see.

I wanted the opportunity to make something really really funny but heartfelt and moving, that centered on a young Black woman. I’m interested in telling stories about class and strained family dynamics and fortunately Pride and Prejudice is the perfect source material.

Black people do not have to be extraordinary, perfect, or superhuman for their stories to be on screen. Likewise, every Black story shouldn’t focus on violence and trauma. I know my film can and will feel like a breath of fresh air.

THE LOOK

There’s Nothing About Mary will be shot on 16mm Kodak film stock because visually it will make the film stand out more. Plus film makes Black people look heavenly. In addition, my first foray into cinematic filmmaking in college was with a 100ft roll of 16mm film and a Bolex camera. There's something about using film that forces you to be intentional with your choices, which is important training for me as a Director.

The climax of the story takes place at the Family’s Naming Ceremony, an event that is special in Yoruba culture, where a new baby is named 8 days after they’re born and given a name by important members of the family.

ISOLATION

Showing Mary's separation from her family and the loneliness of her situation. (Stills from La Noire de, dir. Ousmane Sembène)

OFF BALANCED FRAMING

Showing the precarity of Mary's situation and the fact that something isn't quite right. (Stills from Mr. Robot)

COLOR

Vibrant and rich colors that showcase Yoruba culture like aso ebi and gele. (Stills from Mother of George, dir. Andrew Dosunmu)

THE BUDGET

$36,500 is a lot of money and honestly, it ain’t nothing to sneeze at. But films and art cost money. There’s no way around that. Even though I work in addition to my full time studies, there’s no amount of income that I make right now that can fund both my art and my survival in New York City. In addition, I’m passionate, proud, and committed to showcasing Virginia on the big screen, and making any kind of art out of an established ecosystem of a large city, comes with extra costs for that investment.

Here’s a transparent look of what some of our costs are:

Film Stock & Film Processing/Scanning: $7,930

Equipment Rental: $5,000

Crew: $4,300

Food & Crafty: $2,600

Post-Production: $2,900

And these are just SOME of our costs. Every single dollar will go towards making the best film we possibly can make.

WHY SHOULD I CARE?

Why are we asking you to give your hard earned money to support this film that has nothing to do with you? That’s a great and valid question.

First and foremost, supporting this film is an investment in me and my career. I believe in myself and I know one day very soon, my films will play on the big screens in movie theaters worldwide. But where I am right now is a part of the necessary steps I need to take to eventually get to where I need to be. Supporting There’s Nothing About Mary is supporting a film that can serve as my calling card into the industry. Many NYU Graduate Film Students’ short films end up being selected and winning top awards at film festivals like Sundance, Tribeca, South by Southwest, Venice, and Cannes. Why can’t my film do the same?

Right now, less than 1% of all directors in Hollywood are Black women. Less than 1%. I don’t just plan on being a part of that 1%, I plan on expanding that, so Black women directors are less of an anomaly and more of the norm.

Secondly, even though there is so much richness and diversity of story within the history and cultures of Black people, yet too often, the media that we see focuses on extreme trauma and brutalization of Black people. Why can’t we have more Black stories that center joy and community? My film is a comedy that does just that. Joy is not a weak emotion, it’s powerful and necessary for survival.

Finally, supporting There’s Nothing About Mary is supporting the cultivation of a film culture in Virginia and the 757 area. The 757 area is already known for musical giants like Pharrell, Missy Elliot, Timbaland, and The Clipse. Maybe with some investment and support, the 757 area can ALSO be known for its filmmaking talents.

Thank you again for your time and support. We appreciate you and this film would not be possible without you.

Campaign Photographer Credit: Kemi Taiwo