“I believe more sports players should participate in the film industry!” says Savanah Leaf, the former Olympic volleyball player who has transitioned into a director with a similar style to Ken Loach.

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There are many impressive athletes, but Savanah Leaf stands out as a remarkable individual who has achieved a great deal in her young life. At just 18, she represented Team GB in volleyball at the 2012 Olympics. She also earned a psychology degree before returning to the sport as a professional, playing in Turkey and Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, in 2015, an injury forced her to take a break from volleyball for 18 months. This experience caused her to reevaluate her goals and plans for the future.

In 2020, Leaf enrolled in a music video production course and was later nominated for a Grammy for directing a promotional video for blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr. Recently, she made her debut as a director for the feature film Earth Mama. The film portrays the emotional struggles of Gia, a pregnant African American woman in San Francisco who is fighting to regain custody of her two children from foster care. Gia also grapples with the decision of whether to give up her unborn baby for adoption.

The movie Earth Mama contains all the necessary elements for a social-realist drama and draws inspiration from Ken Loach’s Ladybird Ladybird, according to Leaf. The Dardenne brothers are also a major influence for Leaf. However, the film has a personal touch and portrays emotions with great insight. It does not conform to traditional storytelling techniques, but rather immerses the viewer into Gia’s world, portrayed beautifully by first-time actress Tia Nomore, who is a rapper and trainee doula. As I watched the film, I couldn’t believe that it was directed by someone under 30. Leaf seems to have a well-developed artistic perspective at a young age.

Her personal experiences served as her inspiration. At the age of 16, her mother adopted a baby, who is now her teenage sister. She recalls being present at the baby’s birth, although not in the delivery room itself. The experience of cutting the umbilical cord was particularly meaningful to her. Going from being an only child to having a sibling and all the responsibilities that come with it was a significant change for her.

Leaf’s initial scene takes place at a dining establishment, with Gia conducting an interview with a family who are considering adopting her soon-to-be-born child. All parties involved are tense and unable to unwind. This scene is inspired by Leaf’s personal recollections of meeting her sister’s birth mother, who was close in age but had a very different lifestyle. Reflecting on the experience, Leaf notes, “That was a pivotal moment for me. I saw a lot of similarities between us.” When asked to elaborate, Leaf explains, “We were both Black women from the same area, growing up during the same time. There was a silent understanding between us, conveyed through a simple smile.”

Leaf is a friendly and focused individual. She is currently sitting upright and composed, speaking through Zoom from her childhood home in Vauxhall, London. She grew up with her mother and has not had any contact with her father. When she was ten years old, her family moved to California due to her mother’s job as an animator. Leaf admits that she did not want to move and experienced a culture shock in adjusting to a new place where she did not know anyone. To fit in, she adopted an American accent, as she desperately wanted to feel like she belonged.

She also began playing volleyball. It provided her with a sense of community and an immediate group of people to bond with. Despite frequently traveling between the US and London, she still identifies as British, even after obtaining US citizenship.

During her teenage years, sports became her main focus. She dedicated herself to practicing every day and it quickly became her whole world. She fondly remembers her experience at the Olympics, where she was met with enthusiastic cheers from British spectators, despite their lack of knowledge about volleyball. She was not intimidated by the pressure, as she was young and fearless at the time. She then received a sports scholarship to attend the University of Miami.

Where did her motivation originate? She attributes it to her mother. “My mother worked tirelessly to raise me on her own and provide me with opportunities.” However, her own introversion may have played a role as well. “I never enjoyed school. I wanted to prove others wrong. I wanted to be the kid who may not have excelled in the classroom, but could excel in the real world.”

Before sustaining an injury, the athlete was already feeling disillusioned with her sport of volleyball. She felt trapped and objectified, as if her worth was solely based on her physical abilities. Additionally, she faced pressure to stay silent about important issues, specifically the issue of racism in America. Living in Florida in 2012, she was deeply affected by the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin and wanted to use her platform to speak out, but faced opposition from others who believed it was not the appropriate time or place. Turning to film and writing became a way for her to express herself and use her voice.

Earth Mama provides valuable observations on the impact of social class and race. The book highlights how the welfare system is biased against individuals like Gia, a 24-year-old struggling to keep her family together. Despite facing financial difficulties, Gia is expected to navigate through numerous obstacles in order to regain custody of her two children who are in foster care. This includes attending parenting classes and drug recovery sessions, making it difficult for her to pick up extra shifts at work. She is also limited to just one hour of supervised visitation with her children each week in a plain, windowless room. The constant demands and limitations take a toll on Gia, who is also eight months pregnant and working on her feet all day.

Leaf says the “emotional research” for Earth Mama came from a short documentary she co-directed with her friend, the actor Taylor Russell. The Heart Still Hums followed five women who’d either given their children up for adoption or were fighting to get them back. As she began to think about fictionalising it as a drama, Leaf found herself wondering more and more about the foster system: “What does it mean ‘fit to parent’? Who determines that? How do they measure that?”

Gia and the rest of the women in Earth Mama have experienced trauma in their lives. However, Leaf made a conscious decision to not depict any distressing scenes on screen. Why? “Because everyone watching this film carries their own burdens and traumas. Black women, in particular, often take on the role of being mothers not just to their own children, but to others as well. There is a heavy weight that comes with that. So, it was a deliberate choice to not make viewers relive something they are already carrying with them.” Instead, the audience sees Gia’s determination and resilience. “I believe there is strength in having to overcome so much adversity. I wanted to showcase that. You can see her refusing to give up.”

Leaf admits to facing impostor syndrome when she first began directing. She attributes this feeling to a lack of representation and role models for black women in the industry. Growing up, she was not aware that some of her favorite films were created by black women, making her doubt her ability to become a director herself. It was a challenging journey for Leaf to gain the confidence to share her script and believe that her voice deserved to be heard.

The sensation has not completely vanished. “Even now, I do not sense the full backing of those around me.” How does she handle this? “I apply my sports mentality: disregarding the doubters and tuning out distractions to achieve my goal.”

Can other abilities from playing volleyball be transferable? She responds with excitement. “I believe more athletes should pursue careers in film. There are numerous similarities: collaborating in a team, observing those around you, identifying their strengths and motivating them to excel.” Another aspect is handling pressure. “On set, when unexpected challenges arise or actors fall ill, everyone relies on you to find a solution. Quick decision-making is crucial.”

Leaf makes a habit of setting goals on New Year’s Eve, and a few years back, she aimed to create a film before she reached the age of 30. Now, her focus is on continuing to produce meaningful films that align with her personal values. She draws inspiration from filmmakers such as the Dardennes, Michael Haneke, and Claire Denis, who have successfully maintained their unique voices and stayed true to their creative visions. Leaf’s ultimate goal is to keep writing scripts that she is passionate about and that truly represent her voice.

Source: theguardian.com