Felicia D. Henderson, acclaimed writer and producer behind beloved series like “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “The Punisher”, has taken the storytelling world by storm with her latest project, “The Rebel Girls”.
This award-winning short film, now contending for an Academy Award, explores a little-known story of the Civil Rights Movement through the lens of magical realism.
In an interview with Inland Valley News, Henderson described her inspiration for the film, a friend who shared this pivotal story with her.
“I was inspired by the story I was given that I did not know, and it touched my very soul,” she explained.
Her connection to the history was further cemented by building relationships with survivors of the events depicted in the film.
“Meeting the women and developing a relationship with two of them who said, ‘We would trust you to tell our story,’ was humbling,” Henderson added.
The two women, Lulu Westbrook Griffin and Carol Seay, played key roles in Henderson’s research.
“Miss Carol even took me to the actual stockade where they were held,” Henderson shared, highlighting her commitment to accuracy and authenticity.
Henderson confronted a challenge familiar to creators of Black historical narratives: avoiding the overemphasis on trauma.
“I didn’t even know the extent of how people felt about this until I made this movie,” she said. “But the irony is, it frustrates me because I’m like, ‘You haven’t seen my movie; you’re just assuming what it is.’”
Rather than centering on moments of suffering, Henderson focused on the resilience and humanity of her characters.
“I went into this going, ‘I’m going to tell the story of three-dimensional characters before the event, during, and after,’” she said. “It’s not about the moment they were arrested for trying to integrate a movie theater. It’s about who they are, the sisterhood they formed and the power of their minds.”
A lover of genre storytelling, Henderson incorporated elements of magical realism to connect the historical narrative with contemporary audiences.
“I grew up reading comic books,” she said. “When I was a sickly kid stuck inside, I created worlds in my head where I wasn’t sick.”
For “The Rebel Girls”, this imaginative approach was vital.
“Our brains have always kept us alive, from dreaming of returning to the motherland to the day we’d be free,” Henderson said.
Her artistic choices aim to resonate with viewers of all ages.
“I’ve had women come up to me and say, ‘I now feel empowered; I can do whatever I put my mind to.’ That’s what I wanted,” Henderson said.
Henderson’s extensive experience in television shaped her approach to this film.
Reflecting on her work on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “The Punisher”, she noted, “As much as Fresh Prince was about family, so is The Punisher. It’s about losing your family and finding a new one.”
This theme of found family is central to “The Rebel Girls”.
“It’s about people who say, ‘No matter what, we’ll stick together,’” Henderson explained. “It’s a story of empowerment for my nieces and for adult women alike.”
Henderson views her work as a vital tool for preserving and sharing history.
“As storytellers, we must step up for a time such as this,” she said. “In a country trying to erase our history, we must tell our stories from our point of view, from our strength, joy and laughter.”
Her commitment extends beyond the short film. Henderson envisions “The Rebel Girls” as the foundation for a larger project.
“The short is just the beginning,” she revealed. “The goal is a limited series or a feature film to tell the whole story of these amazing girls.”
When asked what advice she’d give to Black women and girls aspiring to enter the industry, Henderson offered words of encouragement.
“The moment you hear, ‘Oh, that’s going to be really hard,’ I want you to hear, ‘Oh, that’s going to be really worth doing,’” she said. “By the way, I’m a Black woman in America. I missed the part where it was ever easy.”
Her guidance was practical, too, saying “If you’re a writer, read scripts every day, watch shows in your genre and keep working toward your goal.”
“Every day, do something that brings you closer, no matter how small,” Henderson continued.
Henderson’s vision for “The Rebel Girls” is as ambitious as it is heartfelt.
“The secondary goal is to use the film as an educational tool,” she said. “It’s important to teach after we entertain.”
With plans for a written companion piece and screenings for schools and communities, Henderson is determined to share the empowering message of her film far and wide.
In a time of cultural and historical reckoning, Henderson’s work is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.
Photo Credit: Liza Anderson / Hightail Digital
