Markers: Films that make their mark by pushing the boundaries of documentary
In response to recent events, and in the spirit of sharing stories to build empathy and understanding, the filmmakers of The Giverny Document (Single Channel) have generously offered their film for free during its run at Hot Docs Festival Online. We encourage you to experience this powerful documentary.
Journeying between the streets of Harlem and Monet’s historic gardens at Giverny, Ja'Tovia Gary offers a thought-provoking meditation on the safety and bodily autonomy of Black women. She unleashes an arsenal of techniques and textures, juxtaposing woman-on-the-street interviews with excerpts from a Nina Simone concert, direct animation on 16mm archival footage and her own body's stunning insertion in the renowned painter's gardens. Positioning herself at the intersection of Malcolm X Boulevard and 116th Street, Gary asks Black female passersby of all ages and origins the seemingly simple question "Do you feel safe in your body and in the world?", and gets a challenging variety of reactions. Evoking a history of violence and exploitation while carefully refusing to perpetuate trauma, this masterpiece of avant-garde editing celebrates Black women's resistance and creativity, and offers them a vast and vibrant space to affirm their realities. Charlotte Selb