Meet the DocuWeeks Filmmakers: Eugene Martin--'The Anderson Monarchs'
By KJ Relth
Over the next month, we at IDA will be introducing our community to the filmmakers whose work is represented in the DocuWeeks™ Theatrical Documentary Showcase, which runs from August 3 through August 30 in New York City and Los Angeles. We asked the filmmakers to share the stories behind their films—the inspirations, the challenges and obstacles, the goals and objectives, the reactions to their films so far.
So, to continue this series of conversations, here is Eugene Martin, director of The Anderson Monarchs.
Synopsis: The Anderson Monarchs is about a nationally competitive African-American girls soccer club competing, living, and thriving in an at-risk urban neighborhood in Philadelphia. Nominated in 2008 by Sports Illustrated as "Sports Team" of the year, they were also hailed as "the future of American Soccer" in the London newspaper, The Guardian. The Anderson Monarchs, like their namesake Marian Anderson, are making history. Their remarkable story brings them to a place they only ever imagined in their dreams.
IDA: How did you get started as a documentary filmmaker?
Eugene Martin: I got an MFA from Temple University in filmmaking in 1990. The emphasis at that time was on documentary filmmaking. I made three documentaries on 16mm film while I was in grad school. I also worked a lot as a DP on fiction films. I then wrote and directed a series of films based on true stories, notably Diary of a City Priest starring David Morse. After that, I went back to documentary full time about 8 years ago. I also teach filmmaking at the Univ of North Texas, and we have an MFA degree program in Documentary Film, so I am very at home with my working situation both personally and professionally.
IDA: When and how did you meet this soccer team and learn their story?
EM:I met the Anderson Monarchs when I was coaching soccer for my daughters teams. We used to play them in the winter indoor leagues and they were always so good! I got to know the coach, Walter Stewart, and from there, starting in 2007 and 2008, I started to think about doing a film about them. It grew very naturally out of my desire to help girls have a strong self-image and learn to be confident about themselves. I could see that Coach Walt was doing the same thing with his teams, but for them, I realized they were the only all girls African-American soccer team in the US, and realized for sure that they were making history. I felt compelled and driven to capture their story.
IDA: What kind of crew did you have with you when you were shooting?
EM: I worked for most of the film with just one other person, the cinematographer Jen Schneider, and I did sound. For the soccer games I used a few more people to cover the action on the field. It was for the most part a very small crew.
IDA: What were some of the challenges you faced while you were making this film? How did you deal with the limitations that this production presented you?
EM: The biggest thing I learned on this film was that it just needed time. The characters we follow aged from 11 to 13, and I needed to spend 3 years with them to fully capture their story. I also am very sensitive to the fact that urban girls are often portrayed in a negative light, and I was determined to not take that road. I also did not want to make a typical sports film about the underdog overcoming all the odds, etc.
IDA: Have the girls and families of the soccer players seen the film?
EM: Yes, and they are very happy with how they are portrayed in the film. I really wanted to make sure we never stereotype the girls or their situations, and I think I have succeeded in this goal.
IDA: As you’ve screened The Anderson Monarchs, how have audiences reacted to the film?
EM: We are just starting to screen the film, so I'll let you know in a few weeks!
IDA: So now that this film has made it into DocuWeeks, have you had a chance to look beyond that at what’s coming next?
EM: Yes, I am working on another long term documentary about young men in the inner city. I just finished year 5 of it, and am releasing a one hour version of that in 2013. Altogether it will be a 10 year project. Guess I like to let things take awhile to develop!
The Anderson Monarchs will be screening August 17 through 23 at IFC Center in New York, and August 24 through 30 at Laemmle NoHo 7 in Los Angeles.
Complete DocuWeeks™ 2012 program