This past Saturday, I Luv Being a Gurl had the privilege of attending the debut film release of “Closet Doors” at the Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library in Virginia Beach, VA. It was written and directed by Tatina A. Cowell. Tatina is a filmmaker, spoken word and recording artist, videographer and visionary in the Hampton Roads area. She luvs the arts and she most certainly luvs being a girl. Check out our conversation with Tatina...
I Luv Being a Gurl: What do you luv about being a gurl?
Tatina Cowell: Honestly, as a girl I just love being comfortable in my own skin. I love the fact that I’m not intimidated by a male’s ego, yet at the same time I’m not trying to step into a man’s role. I love fancying myself up when I feel, or just jeans and a t-shirt when I please and still see myself as God’s beautiful girl. I love my God-given creativity and intelligence. I love being a girl able to inspire other girls, and being able to teach girls that they don’t have to sacrifice themselves, their bodies, or their values to be loved and appreciated. I love being a girl that able to set an example for nieces in showing them how to love God and themselves, and having a part in showing my nephew how to respect and acknowledge the women in his life and those he’d encounter in the future.
ILBAG: Do you feel that you have to look a certain way, dress a certain way or act a certain way to luv being a gurl? Why/Why not?
TC: I don’t think a girl has to look, act, or dress a certain way, especially if it means a girl is not truly accepting of herself. I know that certain circumstances and situations require certain things in speech or appearance, especially if you’re seeking to better yourself and in pursuit of something imperative to having a future, like a career for example, but if you are changing your looks and deeds because you’re seeking approval and/or validation from outsiders, I think you have to stop and reevaluate the motives behind what you are doing. I’m learning a lesson in this season of life in learning how to be authentic and just accepting me for me. Some days with make-up and hair done, and other days, no makeup or new do, but I have to cherish me wholeheartedly.
ILBAG: As an spoken word artist, videographer, and filmmaker, what inspires you?
TC: As an artist overall I’m inspired by my passion to just want to share love and invoke change. I hate seeing hurting people, I hate the lack of understanding shared between people walking on different sides of line, and I hate when there are victims without voices. I love being a voice for the broken and making people consider or think pass themselves through any avenue of artistry, rather its poetry, film, or photography. If I can touch a heart even for a second that stimulates my passion. That inspires me to create. My personal struggles inspire me too, but I know what I go through is to be a testimony for someone else dealing with the same things.
ILBAG: What made you come out with your short film "Closet Doors"?
TC: Closet Doors was partially a school project, actually my last major project leading to graduation from Regent University, but it was also therapeutic for me as it was loosely based on a situation that took place a few years ago in my personal life.
ILBAG: What is the film about?
TC: The film is about a young lady named Michaela. She’s a woman who loves God, loves working in youth ministry at her church, yet she’s struggling between her faith and her sexuality. It’s complicated even more by the fact that she is involved with her female ministry partner and best friend who actually has a boyfriend. Michaela is stuck between the choice of continuing her relationship with her best friend or focusing and accepting Christ’s love, affection, and peace.
ILBAG: What did you like about making the film?
TA: What I loved about making the film was seeing something I had written being brought to life. Of course, the final film is the best part, but I actually enjoyed the process of putting it all together as well. The planning, the auditions, the recruitment of the production team while it was chaotic it was like beautifully chaotic and made me want to do it again. And it built my confidence to do it again.
ILBAG: What is the message of the film?
TA: The message of Closet Doors is despite whatever your struggle may be, there is One who is always faithful and One who always loves: God. He always accepts you even when you fail to accept Him.
ILBAG: What did you learn about yourself upon completing "Closet Doors"?
TA: Closet Doors taught me to accept myself and to trust my instincts. Making the film built my confidence; it built my courage to step out of the box of what I’m use to doing or what others are used to seeing me do. It taught me that I am a leader and that my giftings have a God-given purpose. I recognize that I do have a call on my life that goes beyond Tina.
ILBAG: What do you plan to do now that you've had your official film?
TA: Now that the film is officially released, I’ll be participating in a few other screenings. There’s one coming up on February 6th dedicated to Black History Month and I was one of several local Hampton Roads filmmakers invited to participate, and so Closet Doors will be viewed there. I’ll keep everyone posted on the specific time and location when the information is released. I want to do a few more screenings of Closet Doors in other places, like churches, universities, etc. for purpose of ministry and creating platforms for dialogue, so anyone interested in opening up doors to this form of ministry and any assistance with making it happen, I’m open.
ILBAG: Are you working on any other projects or performing in the coming weeks?
TC: I do have a few projects coming up. I’ll be writing a new short film dealing with mental illness in the very near future, but taking my time with it because I want to interview and research the issues more. I think it’s too important of a topic to not go into it carefully and considerate of those who suffer with any kind of mental illness. I’ve been invited to perform spoken word at a couple of upcoming events. One is actually happening on this coming Saturday, January 30th at 6:30, focusing suicide awareness. I’ve been as to direct a couple of film projects, which is so awesome and amazing, and I just bless my God for every opportunity being opened to me right now.
ILBAG: What advice can you give to other gurls in luving the skin they're in?
TC: To other girls, I would say loving the skin you’re in means accepting yourself, flaws and all and knowing that the God that created you created you with purpose and your every struggle and every trial pushes you further toward your destiny and calling. Be comfortable with being yourself. Say “no” when you want to say “no”. It’s your human right to stand up for yourself and to be your authentic “you”. It’s not your responsibility to please others and neglect yourself. Love “you”.
For more information about Tatina’s film, visit https://www.facebook.com/closetdoorsopen.
