Ankara Pride
The Blacktown Shorts film festival in September was a very first for Blacktown Arts. The event was so successful that the films from the festival are now screening on a loop until this coming Saturday, 19 October. Ankara Pride is one of the many films that are currently in the cycle.
Ankara Pride recounts the story of Blessing Chionye Azolibe, the founder of Western Sydney fashion label Trendy B. An inspiring story of perseverance and courage, Ankara Pride looks at how Blessing started her journey as a fashion designer, and how she found purpose in creating pieces that cater to the African Community. She shares the difficulties and challenges she faced, and still faces, as a migrant. The Western touch based with producer Thuy Nguyen.
Image: Joshua Morris (@joshuamorrisphotography)
Thuy, a film maker with more than eight years experience, has worked on many productions, such as ABC’s Squinters and Once Upon A Time In Cabramatta. Thuy has a strong interest and passion exploring Western Sydney stories, particularly how fashion can be utilised to tell stories of diversity. Thuy is also the founder of the Western Sydney Fashion Festival - an event dedicated to emerging multicultural designers. Ankara Pride is the second fashion documentary she has produced.
Most of Thuy’s inspiration comes from the amazing women in her life, with the most important influence being her ‘Mum - she came to a new country where she did not know the language and did not have much in terms of education, skills, or money. She just went ahead and started a business with my Dad, and their hard work has given my siblings and I the privileged life we have today. It makes me think, if my mum can do it with so many disadvantages, what is stopping me?’ shares Thuy.
With this determination, Thuy was able to use this to her advantage. Her earliest interest sparked when she saw Le Film, a short by Baz Luhrmann, starring Nicole Kidman.
‘Lately I have been loving music documentaries, Asia Rising: The Next Generation Of Hip Hop by 88 Rising and Travis Scott: Look I Can Fly has been the latest influences in my creative direction. I believe that there are so many amazing stories out there already, you just need to find them.’ Thuy expresses.
Like many navigating the creative industry, Thuy says it's not always financially stable. During these times of struggle, she looks to other females who also went against the grain and uses this for self motivation. Thuy encourages other creatives to begin, or be part of, a strong support group - and to always take breaks!
Image: Snippet from Ankara Pride (@tailoredvision)
You can watch Ankara Pride produced by Thuy and directed by Emily Bui, at Blacktown Arts until Saturday, 19 October. If you want to find out more about the films and the creative process, an Artist’s Talk hosted by the festival’s curator Vonne Patiage, on Saturday 19th of October at the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre at 3.30pm.
