Kim Reese
Production
Biography
Kim Reese is a Milwaukee-based filmmaker. Reese graduated from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a BFA in Film. In both her documentary and narrative works, representation and community lie as a through line in much of her work. Her pieces have been shown in a variety of spaces: Milwaukee Film Festival in Wisconsin, Nō Studios Film Showcase in Wisconsin, Door County Kinetic Arts Festival in Wisconsin, and the Power24 Film Festival in South Africa, among others. In her educational career, Reese was awarded a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship to direct a series of films for the ACLU to focus on the carceral effects on pregnant individuals, and is a two-time recipient of the Lubar Scholars in Film Scholarship. Reese is looking forward to continuing her craft in the Midwest region.
Known For
In the 1960s and '70s, Brady Street became a thriving hub of counterculture—a legacy that persists in Milwaukee today. Like many neighborhoods, Brady Street has faced its share of decline. But by the end of the 20th century, determined community efforts sparked a renaissance, revitalizing the area and transforming it into a diverse urban haven. Longtime resident Julilly Kohler puts it best: "It’s people that make the street. It’s really about people and getting people involved."
Brady Street: Portrait of a Neighborhood
May Day follows 16-year-old Gemma on a birthday that she spends with herself. After allowing herself to feel, she leaves her room to enter a house that she is not familiar with. Following the sound of chatter through the house, she finds herself in a celebration of a 26th birthday: her own 26th birthday. By observing herself in the future, she then confronts who she is and what she becomes. The short answer, loved. Returning to her 16th birthday, Gemma allows herself to feel, to feel happy.
May Day
What does girlhood mean to some? Ages 7 to 63 share their experiences with being or not being a girl, from the connections it brings to the emotions it captures. Taking a deep look at girlhood and gender, Marie explores everything.