Photo by Kristina Ruddick
“The Things You Think I’m Thinking” follows the story of a black male burn-survivor and amputee who goes on a date with a regularly-abled man. After the bar, they go back to his apartment, where he faces his demons as he attempts to experience intimacy for the first time since his accident, ten years ago.
“I am incredibly honoured to be taking “The Things You Think I’m Thinking” to all these prestigious festivals around the world.” said Sherren Lee “I am very proud of this film and believe this story can help others have more empathy and be less uncomfortable interacting with people with disability or simply, with people who are different than them. If we can look inward, examine the assumptions we make about other people, and reflect on how much of that is merely a projection of our own demons, I think we could probably change the world that way.”
The film has screened in several festivals around the world and has received multiple accolades and awards including the Best Canadian Short at the 2018 Inside Out Film Festival, Special Jury Prize at the 2018 Canadian Film Festival, the AWFJ EDA Award for Best-Female Directed Short at the 2017 Whistler Film Festival, two Golden Sheaf Awards for Best Director Fiction and Best Multicultural at the 2018 Yorkton Film Festival.
“The Things You Think I’m Thinking” has also been in competition at over twenty festivals including Slamdance 2018 and SXSW 2018.
We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Sherren! Check out the interview below.
Hi, Sherren! Thank you for granting the interview. We read the synopsis of “The Things You Think I’m Thinking” and we’re quite impressed. Your approach to the story is refreshing and we’re certain it will resonate with many people who are experiencing similar circumstances. What inspired the story?
The piece was inspired by Prince Amponsah, who plays Sean, our protagonist. I wanted to tell a story that showed how he thrives. I wasn’t interested in a story that would reduce Sean to a character we pity nor chalk him up to a source of inspiration. I wanted to encourage empathy by showing the audience that Sean is just like us: we all have scars and demons whether or not they are as visible as Sean’s.
You’re also producing your first feature-length film called “With Might and Grace.” Tell us more.
With Might and Grace is a feature-length drama about a grieving mother and talented chef at the height of her career who checks into an illegal assisted-suicide facility with a reflection period of fifteen days. There, she meets a group of people, each with their own struggles, who challenge her right to choose own fate. I wrote this screenplay and am currently pitching it to producers. I hope to direct With Might and Grace as my first feature film.
You’re also producing a drama series based on your last short film “Benjamin” titled “Little Things.” Tell us more.
I am currently developing this drama series with my co-creator, Kathleen Hepburn. Little Things examines parenthood and follows four friends (a gay couple and a lesbian couple) who decide to have kids together.
You have several producer and directorial credits. Has it always been your desire to make films?
I grew up wanting to be an actor until I directed a play for the first time in university. It had never clicked in my head that directing could be something I can do, but as soon as I had a taste of it, I knew it was what I wanted to spend the rest of my life doing. I didn’t go to film school, so when I graduated from McGill with a Bachelor of Commerce, I only looked for film and television work, proceeded to work in production for seven years while creating my own independent work on the side. I didn’t give myself an alternative.
Why is filmmaking important to you?
I think filmmaking is such a powerful thing. Stories have always had the function and capacity to inform audiences by entertaining them and transporting them into another world, from another perspective. My mandate as a filmmaker is to tell stories that further our understanding of each other and inspire love and compassion for one another. I believe in the power of cinema to expand our minds and our hearts, to allow audiences to experience stories of people they would not otherwise encounter, or to recognize their own stories on screen and not feel so alone in their struggles.
You continuously hone your craft. What keeps you inspired?
Firstly, I am fascinated by the magic of filmmaking. There are so many details and people that are involved in creating a movie, and to be at the helm as a director is a true privilege. You walk on set and everyone’s ready to listen to you, so it’s non-negotiable to be prepared and steady and give everyone a really good reason to show up to set every day to make something beautiful and meaningful. And for that, it’s important for me to keep growing, to keep making things and doing things I’ve never done before. What keeps me inspired and focus on my craft is a deep curiosity about myself and the world around me.
Thus far, what has been the best experience working in the industry?
I don’t think I can narrow this down to one experience! Every project has its highs and lows, and each has paved the way to where I am today.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we haven’t mentioned?
I will be directing on CBC’s Murdoch Mysteries and their brand new show, The Coroner this fall!
Complete this sentence, if I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would do ___________.
If I had an opportunity to do anything I want, I would… probably not change too much of what I’m already doing. Some days I wish I had more access to things I can’t seem to reach or that I had a bigger platform to connect with more people. But then I wouldn’t be doing as much of the learning, and I wouldn’t be the same person. I hope that each of my films reaches at least one person in a way that makes them reflect and create change in their lives… ultimately, to bring more love and acceptance into the world.
Featured Image Credit: Kristina Ruddick.
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