Matchgirl (2015)
In 1845, when Hans Christian Andersen wrote “The Little Match Girl,” it was a social critique of the times: the wide class disparity, the abandoned and abused children. It put a face on these issues that were going mostly unseen. When adapting the story for modern times, I wanted to find its equivalent.
It has been estimated that one in five transgender people have been homeless at some point in their lifetimes and anywhere from 20% to 40% of homeless youth in this country are LGBTQ. The causes range from being rejected by their families to discriminatory practices leading them to be evicted from their homes. Violence against and deaths of these youth frequently go unnoticed and the cases are often not solved. Once I made this connection, I felt I had found a new way to tell a classic tale.
It has been estimated that one in five transgender people have been homeless at some point in their lifetimes and anywhere from 20% to 40% of homeless youth in this country are LGBTQ. The causes range from being rejected by their families to discriminatory practices leading them to be evicted from their homes. Violence against and deaths of these youth frequently go unnoticed and the cases are often not solved. Once I made this connection, I felt I had found a new way to tell a classic tale.
Matchgirl is available to stream through Vimeo below:
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Matchgirl from Rick Hamilton on Vimeo. |
Matchgirl
Written, Directed and Edited by Rick Hamilton Starring DaWoyne A. Hill with Danita Branam Original Music by Craig Klonowski Art Direction: Sang Oh Production Assistant/Passerby: Samantha Vella Matchgirl premiered in India at the Garden City International Film Festival and made its US premiere at OutReels Cincinnati.
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Production Notes:
The Ending (Spoiler alert)
The death of the match girl in the story is perhaps controversial. But those adaptations that have changed it and “rescue” her at the end deny the social injustice that Andersen was calling attention to. It was important to me to stay true to his original ending. We must open our eyes to all of humanity’s problems, whether they directly affect us or only peripherally. There can no longer be “our” issues and “their” issues—-we are obligated to work together on all the world’s tribulations.
The death of the match girl in the story is perhaps controversial. But those adaptations that have changed it and “rescue” her at the end deny the social injustice that Andersen was calling attention to. It was important to me to stay true to his original ending. We must open our eyes to all of humanity’s problems, whether they directly affect us or only peripherally. There can no longer be “our” issues and “their” issues—-we are obligated to work together on all the world’s tribulations.
Production Photos
DaWoyne A. Hill and Danita Branam in "Matchgirl"
Production Stills
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DaWoyne A. Hill in "Matchgirl"
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Cast:
DaWoyne A. Hill
DaWoyne is originally from Alabama, Roll Tide! He recently starred as Jane Mann in the Off-Broadway run of FABULOUS! The Queen of New Musical Comedies at the Times Square Art Center. He's performed in regional productions of The All Night Strut, Hairspray (Seaweed), 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Mitch Mahoney), You're a Good Man Charlie Brown (Snoopy). Others include: Cabaret (Emcee), The Wild Party (Black), Five Guys Named Moe (Litte Moe), Once on This Island (Daniel) and Hedwig and The Angry Inch (Hedwig).
For more information, please check out DaWoyne's website.
Danita Branam
Danita Branam has a varied career in Financial Services, including trust administration, software sales, and independent project management consulting. Branam has participated in a variety of short interview videos related to her passion for social justice. Branam has volunteered as Board Chair of Middle Collegiate Church, Chair of the Collegiate Churches Financial Planning Committee, and is currently the Chair of the Governing Board of Intersections International. She developed a free Sunday Brunch Bag (Butterfly Bag) program 17 years ago which is distributed to "anyone wanting something to eat" in NYC parks. She also completed 25 consecutive semesters coaching over 700 inner city youth through The Joseph A. Forgione Development School for Youth, which introduces youth to the corporate business environment, for which in March 2005 she received a National Points of Light Award.
Music:
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Craig Klonowski
Craig received his bachelor's in music education from The Ohio State University and master's degree in the same from Cleveland State University, where he also studied double bass under Charles Carleton of the Cleveland Orchestra. In addition to music education and playing double bass, Craig's passion is music composition. His first composition project, When The World Goes Dark won 2 college Emmys among its 15 awards. Craig created "Little Bull Music" and his own string ensemble "Galactica Quintet" where he continues to offer services in music education, performing, arrangements, composition and arts integration. Craig lives in New York City and teaches middle and high school music in Spanish Harlem. He performs with the United Nations Symphony and One World Symphony. |