Dr. Love Nwigwe (right), writer and producer of 'I Can't Breathe' walked the red carpet at the premiere of her film at Carnival Cinemas on Nov. 5, 2022. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

change needs to happen

Local filmmaker’s debut ‘I Can’t Breathe’ screens at Carnival Cinemas

Nov 5, 2022 | 6:03 PM

The creator of a short film funded by the Telus STORYHIVE grant program debuted her inaugural outing Saturday at Carnival Cinemas.

The 17-minute film, entitled ‘I Can’t Breathe’ in reference to the final words of George Floyd, features a local cast and takes a close look at different examples of racism in society

Some examples revolve around microaggressions such as touching a Black person’s hair. Others are more in your face, such as a white patient at a clinic being upset the doctor they suspected was white turned out to be Black.

‘I Can’t Breathe’s’ maker, Love Nwigwe, whom we spoke to in April, says completing the film has offered her a sense of fulfilment.

“It really feels like giving birth to a baby. The message of the film is about racism, and I want people to see that racism still very much exists in Red Deer,” she says.

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“There are some people who don’t believe it exists, and this has been an opportunity to tell stories of people of my colour who have experienced racism. I want people who don’t think racism exists to one day watch this and understand that racism has always been part of Canadian society; from the time of colonialism.”

Be it at the gym, in school, or comments on social media, racism is rampant, Nwigwe says.

“Watch this movie and see the true life stories we’ve put together,” she says. “For those who know it exists, I want them to know it likely goes beyond what they know.”

Nwigwe was one of 30 emerging Black creators from across Canada chosen for a special edition of Telus STORYHIVE this year. Grants from Telus are worth $20,000.

‘I Can’t Breathe’ will become available to the viewing public on Telus platforms in February 2023.