Filmmaker Profile: The Big Raise by Angelina Lee
Welcome to the Bushwick Film Festival Q&A series, where we introduce you to the incredible filmmakers behind this year's lineup. Each of these talented storytellers has crafted a unique vision, reflecting diverse perspectives and powerful narratives that resonate deeply with audiences today. In this series, you'll get an inside look at what inspired their work, the challenges they faced, and the creative processes that brought their films to life. Through candid interviews, they share their thoughts on the impact of their films, the themes they explore, and their hopes for how audiences will connect with their stories. Whether you're here for drama, comedy, documentary, or experimental films, these filmmakers are sure to inspire you with their dedication and passion for the craft. We hope you enjoy getting to know the voices behind this year's festival as much as we have enjoyed bringing their films to our screens. Let’s dive into their stories!
One summer and one fall at La Grande Raisandière, or “The Big Raise, ” a small vegan permaculture farm in central France that repairs soil quality through innovative techniques.
Q&A WITH DIRECTOR ANGELINA LEE
Why does this story need to be told now?
Increasingly, people are learning of environmental degradation, and naturally ask, "What can we do?" Permaculture is one answer -- one that employs an entirely new way of thinking, and can do a lot with little land.
How do you want people to feel after they see your film?
Hopefully, enchanted by the rhythm of the seasons, which was a major part of the film's narrative. I hope people feel that there's a lot of things we can do here, right now, to lessen our impact on the environment.
What was the biggest inspiration behind this film?
The expressive, visually breathtaking documentaries "Honeyland" and "Bitterbrush" inspired this film. I wanted to tell the story through images.
Can you tell us about the central themes of your film? What message or emotion did you hope to convey?
It takes a different way of thinking to create a reciprocal relationship with our immediate natural environment. That can only lead to abundance. When we actively support our local pollinators and little critter neighbors, our own harvest can increase tenfold.
BIOGRAPHY
Angelina Lee was named an Obama Fellow at Occidental College’s Barack Obama Scholars Program to produce a documentary about regenerative agriculture, “The Big Raise.” She worked as the writer, director, VFX artist, and editor for short fiction film “Quercus,” Research Assistant for the PPE Portrait Project, producer for feature film “Let's Meet Halfway,” cinematographer for “At Last Deserted,” producer for “Miss Metadata,” and sound recordist for “It Was Nothing.” Her feature-length documentary "Making a Mini-Forest" comes out in winter 2024, which covers the emerging international movement of planting “Tiny Forests,” or “pocket forests” to restore native forests.
Angelina Lee, director of The Big Raise
Thank you for joining us for this special Q&A with the filmmakers of the Bushwick Film Festival. We hope this conversation has given you insight into the artistry, dedication, and heart that went into bringing their films to life. Each of these creators represents the spirit of independent filmmaking—fearlessly telling stories that reflect the complexities of our world and the personal experiences that shape us. As you continue exploring this year’s lineup, we encourage you to dive deeper into these works and discover the powerful messages, emotions, and perspectives they offer. Whether you're a long-time supporter of indie films or a newcomer to the festival, your engagement and curiosity make all the difference in uplifting these voices. Stay tuned for more filmmaker spotlights, and we look forward to seeing you at this year’s screenings. Let’s continue celebrating the magic of storytelling together!
