Daheli Hall   Seriously Funny

Daheli Hall first came to my attention a few years ago at a showcase for African American female filmmakers. Out of all the films I saw, hers was the shortest, the funniest and the most thought-provoking. This was someone I had to meet. At the time, I was going to start writing for a new women’s magazine and I convinced the editor that Daheli was exactly what her magazine needed. I sat down with her and found her to be as intelligent and funny as her piece was. Unfortunately, the magazine folded before the piece could run. Since that time, she’s produced a one-woman show and a new short film. I felt that this was an even better time to profile such an innovative artist. 1. Your latest project is the short film Mandingo in a Box. Tell me a little bit about that. Mandingo in a Box (MIAB) is a life-sized strapping black male lover doll, who is made to be the ideal man. He is the unorthodox solution for single black woman unable to find love. I felt compelled to make Mandingo in a Box after hearing the countless laments of my smart & successful black girlfriends being unable to find an available black man to date. My films are inspired by the popular social issues that black people. Mandingo in a Box looks unabashedly at the notion that good available black men are practically extinct either because they are in jail, on the “Down Low” or just refusing to date black women. The film is intentionally provocative, and it is meant to skewer the perfect man because sometimes the quest for the ideal can blind you to other possibilities. Mandingo in a Box advocates that when it is comes to love it necessary to look outside the box. 2. Mandingo in a box just screened last month in New York City. What other screenings are planned? MIAB just screened at Urbanworld in NYC and sparked an interesting and animated dialogue among the audience. There's nothing more satisfying to a filmmaker that to see the impact of your film on your viewers. I hope more debate follows MIAB to Miami, when it screens at the American Black Film Festival this July. MIAB is one of five short film selected for an HBO Short Film Award at this year's ABFF--which is very exciting! 3. Crazy Bitch is your one-woman show. I know it is an autobiographical piece. Was this a cathartic experience for you? It was part autobiographical part wish-fulfillment. I explored the more vulnerable parts of my life— and how in those times that I wanted to tap into my crazy bitch: unapologetic, fearless and wild side. The show glorifies being a “crazy bitch” but acknowledges that it can be a slur that demonizes and marginalizes women— You know me, it's deep—but it's funny, too! I plan on revising it and performing it in the future. Crazy Bitch will rise again!!! 4. How has your Haitian heritage influenced your work and on a larger level your outlook on life? My mother is Haitian and my father is Jamaican—I love being Caribbean! There is something subconsciously affirming about going to the islands and seeing black people running everything, from: shop keepers, government officials, teachers, etc. It allowed me to believe I could do or be anything I wanted. I am strongly tied to my Haitian side and inspired by the fact this island of Africans struck out against Napoleon and won— the first independent black republic in the Western Hemisphere. I think that spirit of activism heavily influences my work. 5. I met you when you were promoting your short, The Memo. Featuring a performance by Gary Anthony Williams (Undercover Brother, Malcolm in the Middle) as ‘Ted’, it tells the story of what would happen when blacks finally receive notice that the Revolution is beginning – only Ted didn’t get the memo. It’s extremely funny piece that is still intelligent and provocative. So far your body of work, The Memo, Crazy Bitch, Mandingo in a Box, you managed to successfully use humor to tackle issues that are both controversial and provocative. Would you agree that humor often allows you to open doors that would be off-limits to a more serious approach? Humor is the great diplomat. It allows me to talk about provocative issues without ever making my audience feel self-conscious or defensive. I believe people are most open when they laugh and that’s perfect time to get them thinking and communicating. Plus, comedies are meant to be watched over and over—and I want my projects on high rotation! 6. Speaking of humor, a lot of humor caters to the lowest common denominator. One thing I appreciate about your work is your refusal to dumb it down and go for the easy, cheap laughs. I wish more people would follow that lead. I feel my comedies play on several different levels. I make sure there are just as many cerebral jokes in there with the gags; that way there is something for everyone. 7. You also co-wrote the documentary, The Peace Process, where you followed a young man who was training to be a youth mediator. That seems like a departure for you. What prompted you to co-write this project? Peace Process was an opportunity I could not pass up. The Black Hollywood Education Resource Center, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles, gave 5 filmmakers each a 20K grant to make anti-gang violence pieces. My long time friend Katina Parker (we went to USC film school together) thought it would be a great chance for us to partner and collaborate. We have been following a 17 year boy/poet in the foster system meet and interview active & non-active gang members and gang prevention agencies. It has been a tremendous experience filming him navigate through his heavily gang influenced community. Though this is my first documentary, it is not a departure from the kind of subject matters that I gravitate to; all my projects address issues that affect my black community. Gang violence is definitely one such issue. 8. Despite your documentary work and your shorts, I know one of your true loves is stand-up and sketch comedy. What’s the most satisfying aspect of doing stand up? I love stand-up comedy. I get to speak freely as myself, on any subject of my choosing and make audiences laugh—who could ask more than that? Stand-up is immediate; you tell a joke and as soon as it flies of your mouth, you find out if it works. There is no greater feeling. Lately, I have been doing more writing then performing, but I plan on get back on stage very soon. I miss it. My body is very expressive; I have a physically need to move, gesture and make sounds, so I cannot go for periods without performing in some capacity. I also really enjoy writing and performing sketch comedy, as a matter fact two pieces that started off as sketches have ended up as films: The Memo and Mandingo in a Box. Go figure. 9. In my blog, one of my most recent entries is called being Angry About Being an Angry Black Woman. I know we had talked before about the current media’s preoccupation of portraying black women as hard-edged and unlovable. Since we talked two years ago (Wow, time flies), do you see that the image has gotten better or worse? I believe the perception of black women being perceived as angry still remains. I address that very perception in Crazy Bitch and in Mandingo in a Box. To some, an angry black woman is a crazy bitch and that anger is often sited as the reason they can’t get a man—and I find that misguided. Black women need to be able to express their concerns, fears and yes, what angers them…and be heard. But they aren’t. I feel like their anger stems from being dismissed and tuned out. It is for this reason that I use comedy as a way of counter-programming to ensure that that issues that are important to us are paid attention to and addressed. 10. As far as upcoming projects, I know you are attached to the comedy, “Hello, My Name is Jason Scott.” What’s that about and what part do you play? Sadly, I think this project has been put into (film purgatory). So to be continued on my role in the film, Hello My Name is Jason Scott. 11. Let’s end this with a couple of shameless plugs. Where can we people see Mandingo in a Box? And where can they catch you performing live? I don’t know where I will be doing stand up as of yet…but I will be sure to let Diva Soul Sista know. As for Mandingo in a Box, come down to the American Black Film Festival in Miami, FL (my hometown!) and check it out down there July 19-23! I am working on 3 feature length projects. The first is, Lies of Blue, a drama (a first for me) on the true life story of a female prison guard, her incarceration and later personal redemption. Take Her Man, a novel that my best friend wrote that I am turning into a romantic comedy. And finally, my own piece, What About Latasha, which is a hilarious look at class struggles among us black folk. I like to give a shout out… There are so many wonderful people that have helped me get this far—I did not get here by myself, folks! So thank you. OK I gotta get back to work --

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