TAMPA, FL — A former Ringling College of Art and Design student and St. Petersburg native will screen her short film “Heavy is the Head,” which explores the history of Black women’s hair, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., at Hyde House Public Studio in Tampa.
The filmmaker, Juniper Johnson, who now lives in the Lakeland area, will be on hand to discuss the documentary after the screening.
Tickets can be found online here.
The project, filmed in Orlando, grew out of her senior year multimedia project and is a response to the CROWN Act.
California was the first state to pass the law, which amended its Fair Employment and Housing Act to include language to prohibit discrimination based on hair style and texture. Since then, other states have adopted similar legislation; Florida does not have such a law.
Johnson knew about the law but was surprised to find that many others had never heard of it. She hopes her film will educate people about it.
“I’m hoping that this project opens up a conversation about hair literacy. I’m not sure that’s a phrase that exists, yet, but just opening up the conversation to talk more about why hair is political or why the CROWN Act needs to exist. Because if not, we wouldn’t be able to wear our natural hair,” she told Patch. “It’s interesting that hair is just such a taboo subject and I want people to have a better relationship with hair and understand more about Black hair so that these microaggressions don’t continue to happen.”
Her documentary, which was filmed in Orlando, honors vintage 1970s Afro Sheen commercials. The brand launched its hair products for Black women’s hair in 1954. Johnson was drawn to the company’s iconic commercials of the 1960s and 1970s.
There’s also an accompanying photo series that recreates and pays homage to Jet and Ebony magazine covers.
After Saturday’s screening, Johnson’s next step is to submit it to film festivals, including several in Florida.
“I’ve been working on this project for six months. The shooting went well. Editing went well. I finally closed down on everything. So, yeah, it’s about time to make it public,” she said. “I’m ready for other people to see it.”
