- Story by Lin Stranberg Photography by Lia Crowe
Keilani Elizabeth Rose is a Vancouver-based young woman with multiple talents, deep convictions and a very busy calendar. She dances, acts, writes, produces and even deejaysB次元官网网址攁ndshe makes her feature film debut this winter in The Sinners, a teen cult thriller that premiered at CaliforniaB次元官网网址檚 Mammoth Lakes Film Festival under its pre-Netflix title of The Color Rose.
She has several projects on the go, all of which began during the pandemic.
B次元官网网址淢y best way of coping is to create,B次元官网网址� she said.
So when COVID-19 hit last spring, she co-created FLIMSY, a web series, with two-time Grammy winner Printz Board and an all-star cast.
B次元官网网址�FLIMSY was born because we desperately needed some light and love to take our minds off of the heavy time the world was in. We found an innovative way to film in isolation, bring our community together across borders and countries despite the lockdown, and make some art. It kept our minds distracted, our hearts hopeful and the frequency positive.B次元官网网址�
FLIMSY went on to win awards at international festivals, and Keilani went on to another collaboration with Printz Board on Within the Silence, a short film about domestic abuse involving a hearing-impaired seven-year-old, which she hopes will draw some much-needed attention to the disabled community.
After a deejaying stint in Tulum this winter, sheB次元官网网址檚 back in Vancouver for a project dear to her heart. SheB次元官网网址檒l produce and play the lead in Breathe, an experimental short written by Cody Kearsley (of The CWB次元官网网址檚 Riverdale).
B次元官网网址淥ur hope is to uplift communities struggling with addiction and substance abuse, specifically the Indigenous community. Part of our exploration with this film is to create awarenessof the destructive generational effects of colonization on Indigenous peoples. ItB次元官网网址檚 important to us to share this story through a resilient lens, which inspired us to establish the first Native Youth Mentorship Program, inviting local Indigenous youth to shadow crew members during principal filming so they can get a feel for the industry. I want them to know they can have a place and a voice here.B次元官网网址�
As part of her journey, Keilani has also started to write her first feature film, a story about an Indigenous girl who survives the foster care system as part of the B次元官网网址淪ixties ScoopB次元官网网址� and finds her way back to the strength of her family and her community. Its working title is Sunflower. Keilani identifies strongly with the Indigenous community and her intersectional cultural heritage: she grew up in Prince George, BC, with a Hawaiian mother and Lheidli TB次元官网网址檈nneh antecedents, including the famed Granny Seymour, a highly honoured elder of the Lheidli TB次元官网网址檈nneh Nation.
B次元官网网址淪torytelling is part of my existence,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淢y people, both Lheidli TB次元官网网址檈nneh and Hawaiian, never had a written language before colonization: history, knowledge and culture had always been traditionally shared through stories, song, dance and chant. This is a beautiful way of life I get to represent and perpetuate with my creativity.B次元官网网址�
Her Hawaiian mother, an accomplished hula dancer, was a huge influence.
B次元官网网址淪he really instilled in my sisters and me valuable lessons about creativity, following your heart and fighting for your beliefs. We grew up in poverty but our home was always filled with joy and love. Mamma made sure of that. She can make magic out of anything.B次元官网网址�
With the support of her mom and her community, she was able to study dance as she grew up.
B次元官网网址淪eeing all the sacrifices my mom made so that my sisters and I could grow up with our artistic outlets is something that stays with me every step of the way. Without her selflessness, my sisters and I would not be where we are today. We were also blessed to have in our corner angels like Judy Russell and Bunny Murray at Enchainement Dance Centre, who made space for us to access our brightest potential.B次元官网网址�
Keilani was the first recipient of the Performers North Special Assistance Fund, established to enable underprivileged kids to participate in the companyB次元官网网址檚 festival tours that their families otherwise couldnB次元官网网址檛 afford.
B次元官网网址淭his was my first experience with a community that stood for inclusivity. That feeling of people believing in you so deeply is a driving force for me to do everything I can to make it count, and do my part to give back and make space to include others with less privilege whenever I have the chance. B次元官网网址�
She moved to Vancouver to pursue dance and landed a contract on the Disney Dream, part of the Disney Cruise Line, which introduced her to Broadway-level production values. Dancing at that level led her to an agent, and that led her to acting.
Right before her big break on screen, Keilani got excited about deejaying. She quickly became professional and played on the international circuit, as well as for local legends like the Vancouver Canucks hockey team and musicians Tegan & Sara. Her signature sets weave together stories and messages through music, which has always been a big thing in her family. Her sisters Tiare and KeAloha play ukulele, her uncles played drums, and KeAloha also sings and writes music.
B次元官网网址淢usic and dance and acting are so complementary that I feel the strength and diversity they give my artistry. Acting reconnected me to the power of my voice and led me to the questions, B次元官网网址榃hat stories do I need to tell?B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址榃hose stories need to be elevated and amplified?B次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址楬ow can we create greater unity and compassion by sharing these stories?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�
She adds: B次元官网网址淓specially right now, with the momentum of awareness and progression for the #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter and #IndigenousSovereignty movements and the fight against Indigenous invisibility, we as artists really get to recognize the power we hold with our platforms and make informed, deliberate choices about the content we create to promote unity and equality.
B次元官网网址淩epresentation matters so much. And being a female person of colour in this industry gives me the ability to influence great change. It is a responsibility that fills me with purpose and inspiration.B次元官网网址�
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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