THE FILM
WHAT IS BLACKBIRD ABOUT?
A who-rescued-who film follows two vastly different young women struggling to find connection with themselves and with each other through their painful and difficult recovery at an Eating Disorder Treatment Center.
Our protagonist characters -one 17, Black, reserved and upper-class, the other 25, Caucasian, bubbly and impoverished - take us on this journey of finding connection and common ground. This is based on the true story of Kendra Williams and Alexandra Miles and their connection and recovery at an eating disorder treatment center in 2018.
While it features two women and their relationship at an eating disorder treatment center, its message is vital and relatable across all areas of mental health: Connection with others and connection with ourselves are both imperative to our mental health and wellbeing. Let's help each other fly when we don't yet have the wings to fly ourselves.
THE ORIGINAL STORY
Kendra Williams and Alexandra Miles met back in 2018 at Reasons Eating Disorder Treatment Center in Los Angeles, CA. The two were, as in our BLACKBIRD film, quite different. They grew up in very different communities and had very different beliefs, mannerisms, traumas - even different eating disorder diagnoses.
When they first began treatment, Kendra was quiet. As Kendra discusses in PROJECT BLACKBIRD, our tour, this was partially a response to the feelings of shame that were felt around the disorder, and the feeling of isolation from her community, family, friends, and those at the treatment center. Conversely, Alexandra was outspoken and intrigued by Kendra.
Alexandra could see the depth and brilliance that was within Kendra and was determined to get to know her and understand what lays beneath the surface. She would often try to connect with Kendra, attempting in process groups to bring out vulnerability in Kendra - possibly before she was ready to do so. Alexandra did not mean to overstep, rather was doing the best that she knew how to connect with Kendra. While it may have been uncomfortable for Kendra towards the beginning, the two soon began to connect through art therapy, poetry, and deep conversation. They had more in common than they could have ever realized.
They spent Christmas together at the treatment center, making silly facemasks, bonding over silly videos, ridiculous ‘dances’ (the two of them were not supposed to stand outside of meal-prep!), and laughing through all of the pain and fear that they were experiencing surrounding those happy moments. They were friends, but it felt more like family.
A couple of weeks later, Kendra was discharged from treatment to continue her journey. She transitioned to different treatment centers until finding one that was the right fit. She is now out of recovery and in school at Sociology at Mt. San Jacinto Community College in Southern California finishing her undergraduate degree. Alexandra transitioned to the next step of treatment shortly after as well and has since been pursuing her graduate degree in Performing Arts at SCAD in Savannah, GA.
They remain close friends to this day and are in each other's lives as friends and as support as they continue their recovery.
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