When I visited Africa to make my film 'Music by Prudence,' I was struck by how intensely religious and socially conservative Africans were. There was literally a church on every corner. Roger Ross Williams More Quotes by Roger Ross Williams More Quotes From Roger Ross Williams Zwarte Piet, or 'Black Pete,' is a relic from slavery. It is something that should have long been eliminated, and it's very insulting to black Dutch people. It's shocking to me that it still exists, but I think it's about the lack of knowledge and education regarding the roots of the character in the slave trade. Roger Ross Williams should-have character thinking Someone sent an email to Reverend Joanna Watson [an American missionary] saying that I'm gay, and she sent it to all the anti-gay pastors in Uganda. One of them said, "We're going to take care of this guy." When I was confronted by them I didn't know what they were going to do, but they decided to pray over me. They said they were going to cure me. That didn't work, of course. Roger Ross Williams uganda gay guy It is our stories [classic Disney films] that make us human - so Owen [Suskind] has become an expert in what connects us and makes us human. That got to me, the power of these stories, and the lessons these tales give us to create the connection between us. Roger Ross Williams connections experts giving When you are in the prayer room you forget about the outside world and fall into a Christian rock coma, and nothing else seems to matter. Roger Ross Williams prayer christian fall American missionaries have free rein in Uganda. They can go anywhere they please - schools, hospitals, parliament. Roger Ross Williams uganda parliament school Racism is a global problem and it is as damaging to Whites as it is to non-Whites. Everyone must fight against it. Roger Ross Williams fighting problem racism When I first saw a White Dutch person dressed up as Black Pete, I was both sickened and shocked. It's hard to stand next to someone who views your skin color and hair as a costume. As a filmmaker, whenever I get that feeling, I want to explore what motivates people to engage in such offensive behavior and enlighten folks about its origins. Roger Ross Williams color white hair There is much institutionalized racism in The Netherlands and the non-White population is just now beginning to fight for their rights. Roger Ross Williams fighting rights white I think many Dutch just don't know the history of Black Pete, that he is rooted in slavery, and how he was used to dehumanize a race of people. Once they realize this, many stop using this character, but those who continue are either in denial, insensitive or actually racists. Roger Ross Williams race character thinking Racism was never acceptable to the people who suffer from it. Roger Ross Williams racism suffering people It's a horrible feeling to be mocked and ridiculed because of your race. Roger Ross Williams horrible race feelings Symbolic racism is hurtful and it is especially hurtful to Black children who get called Black Pete in school and grow up with the sense that they are inferior to white kids. Roger Ross Williams growing-up kids children The musicians are good and their music is catchy - it pulls the kids in in droves. Mike Bickle admitted to me that the music was a big part of their success at attracting young people. Roger Ross Williams musician kids people Toward the end of the film ['Life, Animated'] we see 'The Sidekicks Story,' and that is a story that Owen drew himself. We took that style, which is decidedly different from Disney animation, and used it as a basis. It's a 'two-dimensional' hand drawn animated form, so I went to this company in Paris called 'Mac Guff,' and they assembled an amazing group of young animators, and brought it to life. Roger Ross Williams disney-animation two hands I mentioned before, these [classic Disney films] are classic mythological tales, a hero's journey, and have been told for thousands of years. Disney has updated them, and made them accessible for us. Roger Ross Williams journey hero years The product Disney created actually changed a life, and that was significant to them. They didn't stand in my way at all. Roger Ross Williams significant changed way I had full access to the material, and had a great relationship with Sean Bailey, the president of Disney productions. He really guided me through the licensing process of the footage. I made presentations to the various departments at the studio, and they were moved by Owen's [Suskind] story. Roger Ross Williams great-relationship president stories Obviously it was an out of body experience to win an Academy Award. Roger Ross Williams awards body winning I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast in her society because she was disabled, to someone who picked herself from that despair and elevated herself within that community, and now that society accepting her as much as they formerly rejected her. People identified with that journey, overcoming an obstacle, but still triumphing. Roger Ross Williams journey people thinking [Zwarte Piet] is unfortunate, and just like the early American blackface films, if it offends a segment of the population, it shouldn't be shown again. Roger Ross Williams population unfortunate film
