‘The Rebel Girls’ is a story about children of the civil rights movement

Storytelling does more than simply raise awareness of a particular situation; it weaves history into the present while inspiring hope for the future. Imagine a black teenage girl marching for justice in 1963 who was arrested and held in a holding cell without a bed, toilet, or proper nutrition. Will you muster up your mental strength and fight for freedom?

Rebel Girls, Hollywood showrunner Felicia D. Henderson’s directorial debut, is up for an Oscar nomination. This multi-film festival winner transports viewers to Americus, Georgia, and spotlights important historical moments that have been overlooked. Inspired by the true story of the 1960s civil rights movement, told through the eyes of young girls who revitalized a struggling movement with the power of magical thinking, friendship, faith, and fortitude.

“No one has the power to control your mind,” Henderson said in a Zoom interview. “It’s contemporary in that we’re about to enter a very scary four years. But at the same time, what this film is telling us, and what’s important, is that we have to look to the future. Just because we’re here doesn’t mean something terrible has control over us. This story of hope says, “We are strong.” You can do it. we will get through this. ”Just like those girls, we have to do the same. They got inside their heads. Their bodies were imprisoned, but their minds were dreaming. ”

The story of the Leesburg stockade became widely known in 2016. A friend of Ms. Henderson sent her information about this story. It was the first time a Hollywood producer had heard of it.

Fifteen young black girls between the ages of 10 and 15 (survivors recall that there were closer to 30) were imprisoned for opposing the segregation laws. Their peaceful protest was met with brutality as law enforcement arrived, violently attacked them, and arrested them.

Without formal charges, the girls were held for 60 days at Fort Leesburg, a dilapidated Civil War-era building hidden deep in the Georgia woods. Meanwhile, their parents, who were only 20 miles away, had no idea where their children were being kept or the inhumane conditions they were enduring.

Henderson immediately wanted to turn the story into a television series to bring the injustice and bravery to light. She connected with two survivors, Lulu Westbrook and Carol Seay, and earned the right to know their life stories.

Having been in the industry for 30 years and worked on shows ranging from Soul Food to Empire, Henderson has built relationships with individuals across all sectors. She first contacted producer Liesl Wilke, who became her first financial backer. That support inspired Henderson to put the team together. Her A-list behind-the-scenes staff includes music composer Kurt Farquhar, casting director Leah Daniels Butler, showrunners Mara Brock Akil and Caroline Williams, and Martin Luther King Jr. They included Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr.

This new chapter in Henderson’s career has gone beyond what she thought possible, as this story is about the perseverance of young girls’ survival. Although she had to change her goal from a series to a short film due to the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strike, she managed to capture the essence of the dire situation.

“For whatever reason, whether it’s pride or not wanting to impose on anyone, we often don’t ask. In some cases, we don’t ask people for help,” Butler said. “I saw Felicia do it, and everything she asked she said yes. That’s proof of who she is. ”

The stories of child warriors of the civil rights movement have never been told in mainstream media. Henderson cast young actors. For many of them, the short film was their first project.

The film explores the girls’ memories, their real-life situations, and the daydreams that helped them stay sane as 60 days passed before anyone realized what had happened to them. It takes you on an emotional journey. Kyanna “Squeaky” Simone played Bertha, an exciting boxer who dreams of winning a championship.

“I had the flu throughout filming, which helped me really get into the character of Bertha,” Simone explains. “Bertha is one of those girls who didn’t have activism in mind at the time. She’s in this situation where she has to fight for herself and for the girls who were put in this horrible position together. I was put in a position where I could relate a little bit because I was so sick, and even after filming was over, I still had Berta’s work that inspired me to strive, to fight, to speak out. there was.”

As women continue to fight for equality in the workplace and society, it is critical that we share the stories of those who are underrepresented. These stories elevate silenced voices and encourage women to come forward and stand up for what they believe is right. These untold journeys can help others feel less alone during uncertain times.

King said: “My hope is that ‘Rebel Girls’ will be funded to be developed as a feature film or television series so that this generation of people who are scared of the times we live in can be seen through the eyes of young people. We want girls to be inspired by previous generations who had the strength, courage, and resilience to work together for freedom and nonviolently resist injustice. Please give. ”

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Updated December 2024: Based on the filmmakers’ survey of survivors, 45 days has been updated to 60 days and 12 years old has been updated to 10 days.