How to Sue the Klan tells the story of five Black women from Chattanooga who, in an unprecedented civil lawsuit in 1982, utilized legal savvy to take on the Ku Klux Klan in an effort to hold them accountable for their crimes and bring justice to their community.
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Were there any challenges in making this project?
One of the biggest challenges we faced was finding information, footage, or photos of the women in our film from after the 1982 trial. We thought there’d be some trace or perhaps information would come about from our film’s release but still to this day we haven’t been able to find any information about two of the five women that were shot by the Klan in 1980.
Is there any type of message or emotion that you hope the viewer takes away from watching this film?
My films have tended to take people to uncomfortable places but having an audience’s attention, I always feel responsible for bringing them through to the light at the end of every tunnel. With this film we wanted to make people feel angry, shocked, but left inspirated and hopeful.
How does it feel to be able to screen the film at HollyShorts?
As someone who truly believes in short films HollyShorts has been at the top of my dream film festivals to attend. I’ve watched so many of my favorite shorts come through this festival so being among what I know will be incredible lineup feels hard to comprehend.
What inspired you to start making films?
I was a musician for many years before trying to make a film, but knowing the power of documentary as an audience member I thought I could figure out my challenges with music by making a film about it. It was too rewarding to go back after that, as much as I love music, film allows the combination of so many mediums including music which is often my favorite part of the process.
What’s on the horizon for you?
This film still has impact campaign we’re working hard on while we’re also trying to gather the resources necessary for an awards campaign. Being part of HollyShorts certainly has the potential to help us on that path, but we’re also learning what goes into a successful campaign and taking as many steps as possible to give the film a shot at the Oscars.
Thank you so much, John, for sharing your responses! Click here to get tickets for the 20th Annual Hollyshorts Film Festival, running from August 9th to August 17th at the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres.
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