‘How the West Was One‘ follows three women that redefine femininity and what a cowgirl is meant to be at SAFilm.
Annie Bercy in ‘How the West was One’ Showing at the San Antonio Film Festival (SAFilm).
‘How the West Was One‘ one of the opening night film at the San Antonio Film Festival (SAFilm) on Tuesday, August 30, 2024—offers a provocative redefinition of femininity through the lens of the American West. Directed by Razieme Iborra, the film challenges and expands traditional notions of what it means to embody the spirit of a cowgirl in today’s world.
“I didn’t realize how afflicted I was by the pervasiveness of politics. I went to a liberal school in a big city, its influence quietly cooking within me. I grew aware of the tiny slivers of racism ingrained in our every-day. I saw the corruption that lay in money. I saw lies and deceit and I got angrier than I thought I would get,” ,” reflects Iborra in a press release.
‘How the West Was One‘ brings to life its redefined cowgirl archetype through the intertwining stories of three extraordinary women. Morgan Laughlin, for instance, has reigned as Miss Rodeo California through the pandemic years, a role fraught with both tradition and personal trial. Her journey faces a dramatic twist when a near-fatal bout of E. coli threatens her dreams of competing for Miss Rodeo America. Her struggle underscores the tension between her deep-rooted rodeo values and the contemporary challenges she confronts, while possibly finding a new dream to chase.
Annie Bercy, am artist from Queens, NY, embarks on an introspective journey into Western culture amid her burgeoning career as a music video director. Her exploration of Western aesthetics and Black Cowboy history profoundly impacts her creative vision and personal identity, bridging her urban roots with the traditions of the frontier. What would have been a bit more interesting in her story was she primarily focused on racial issues, but it is not until later in the documentary we find out she is a first generation American, like myself, which would be a far more interesting approach to her self-discovery as an American and where she is fits in as a bi-cultural person balancing both identities of the Old World and the New World.
“This film (‘How the West Was One‘) is my attempt to bridge the ever-widening gap we felt in the tumult of Trump, Covid, BLM, unemployment, instability. It’s an attempt to rally right and left around a common ground. Cowgirls have always felt like heroes to me—I’ve been trying to be one since I started riding at the age of seven. I’ve felt firsthand the power of Americana myth, the healing power of horses, the lure in wildness. These are sensations we feel deep in our bones when our feet touch American soil, each connected to the land through the rubber of our soles, each taken by its promise of beauty and freedom… each of us in the same place, strong enough to transcend difference and coalesce in the name of our country, in the name of compassion, for the betterment of one another,” stated Iborra.
Meanwhile, Elle Barbeito (who was in attendance with Iborra at the SAFilm screening), is a Miami-based fashion designer and second-generation Cuban immigrant, returned to her native Miami after the pandemic disrupts the fashion industry. Elle’s innovative use of Burmese python skins from the Everglades reflects her commitment to sustainability and cultural heritage, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary environmental concerns. Her relationship not only to true environmental concerns, but blending it with fashion and art, gave her portion of the documentary a fascinating perspective on how Florida, one of the far most eastern states in the U.S. contributed to, Cowboy/Cowgirl culture.
‘How the West Was One‘ is a highlight of SAFilm’s 30th anniversary celebration, it proved to be both thought-provoking and empowering, showcasing the evolving mythos of the cowgirl with strength and resilience.
Follow the San Antonio Film Festival on Instagram @SAFilm.
To find out about more screenings at the San Antonio Film Festival visit: https://www.safilm.com/screenings.
Summary
‘How the West Was One‘ stands out with its evocative cinematography and poignant storytelling. By weaving together these diverse narratives, the film challenges outdated stereotypes and offers a modern twist on the American frontier narrative, defining femininity, unity and artistry for anyone with a frontier spirit.
