Behind the Camera with Director Nana Ghana
Director Nana Ghana is pursuing filmmaking by elevating the stories that speak to her and allow her voice as a director to shine brightly. She debuted her short film WATER WARRIOR at Cannes Film Festival in 2016, and again in WHITE RABBIT at Sundance 2018, Nana Ghana has the opportunity again in Nana’s documentary feature film, LA WOMAN RISING. We sat with the director and asked her a few questions.
How did you get started as a director?
Photo Credit: Tijana Vukovic
I got started with directing in 2012 in Venice Beach. I picked up a DV camera and started filming things that interested me. Then I began to edit them into stories. It was something that just felt right. I didn't have any motives or goals, I was just doing what was making me happy. It's funny to say that because it is so cliche but, it truly was a meditative experience for me. I just couldn't stop filming stories that spoke to me, and from there, that passion or instinctiveness, I guess you could say, LA WOMAN RISING was born.
What drew you to this film?I was always fascinated by this idea of womanhood and the paths each female takes toward it. For me, I didn't truly understand what it meant to be a woman until I moved to L.A. I wanted to explore how other women residing in L.A. came to understand their place in the world and in the city. Each woman had a different and distinct story. Although in the same city, some pursuing the exact same careers or experiencing similar milestones, had a very different perspective of how everything was unfolding. But one thing was common in all the stories, each woman had to discover how she would face the day, the challenges, the successes, the beauty and sometimes the not so beautiful things in life. The stories kept expanding from there, more and more women became a part of this tapestry, and I was so honored to have the opportunity to weave them together.
What message did you want to convey with this film?
The message I want to convey in this film is to really show women as we are -- the importance of all female bodies to be seen and the voices of females to be heard. I wanted to show how similar we all are despite our differences.
Any words of inspiration for an up-and-coming Director?
My word of advice is to believe in yourself, your work, and to trust the process.
How do you slay? Whether putting on your favorite outfit or listening to your favorite song?
I slay by staying committed to my dreams.
Watch the trailer:
LA WOMAN RISING was released on Friday, October 18 and can be watched on iTunes, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video.
Follow LA WOMAN RISING on Instagram.
Follow Nana on Instagram.