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Today we continue our exclusive deadCenter 2022 coverage with a look at this year’s deadCenter opening night film from director Daresha Kyi, Mama Bears. Kyi sits down with us on The Cinematic Schematic to talk about how she first learned about the Mama Bears organization before making the documentary. Joining host Caleb Masters in this interview is a special guest co-host, this year’s deadCenter Pride Programmer, Laron Chapman.
The film tells the moving story of the rise of the movement of evangelical mothers who decide to embrace and support the LGBTQ community through love, education, and emotional support at weddings. The film follows four different storylines including the rise of Oklahoma’s own Sara Cunningham of Free Mom Hugs, Kimberly Shappley, and Tammi Terrell Morris, a young African American lesbian.
The empathetic and emotionally charged film touches on many very personal subjects such as the traditional Christian view on same-sex marriage, the negative impacts the politics have on LGBTQ homes, and the importance of love between mothers and their children. Kyi walks us through how she navigated these challenging topics with grace and a message of hope and love first.
Check out the full conversation and see the movie by buying your festival pass or individual ticket today!
Special Guest
Daresha Kyi
Mama Bears director/producer
According to a shortened version of the description from the deadCenter website, the film is described as:
MAMA BEARS is an exploration of the journeys taken by Sara Cunningham and Kimberly Shappley, two “mama bears”—conservative, Christian mothers whose profound love for their LGBTQ+ children has turned them into fierce advocates for the entire queer community—and Tammi Terrell Morris, a young African American lesbian whose struggle for self-acceptance perfectly exemplifies why the mama bears are so vitally important.
MAMA BEARS is the story of women who have allowed nearly every aspect of their lives to be completely reshaped by love. Although they may have grown up as fundamentalist, evangelical Christians, mama bears are willing to risk losing friends, family, and faith communities to keep their children safe—even if it challenges their belief systems and rips their worlds apart.
When and Where to Watch Mama Bears
Thursday, June 9th, 6:00 PM @ Harkins Bricktown 16 – Chickasaw Nation Theater
Saturday, June 11th, 2:00 PM @ Oklahoma City Museum of Art
Available June 13, 7:00 AM – June 20, 11:45 PM, 2022 in the deadCenter virtual cinema
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