Genre
Synopsis
Through captivating images of Mount Kilimanjaro and eye-catching animation, THREE (EXTRA)ORDINARY WOMEN tells the personal stories of three women of color who have collectively overcome poverty, abuse, systemic racism, and political occupation through practicing forgiveness, helping others and immersing themselves in nature. As they brave their biggest physical obstacle yet – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro - trekking up Africa’s tallest peak through arctic temperatures and some of the highest altitude on the planet, they discover they still have emotional mountains to climb.
While centering women of color in nature (rarely seen as the outdoors have traditionally not been a safe place for POC), the film touches on themes of trauma, self-worth, sisterhood, empowerment, resilience and nature as a healing agent that facilitates growth. This film is timely in light of the conflict taking place between Israel and Palestine by exploring the Palestinian occupation and systemic racism in the United States and how both have disenfranchised people of color. But the message is not about more divisiveness, it is about how tough- yet achievable- forgiveness, healing, overcoming, and reconciliation can be.
Bio
Cionín is an award winning Latina filmmaker from Brooklyn, New York. She just completed a feature documentary as the director, writer, and co-producer, Three (Extra)Ordinary Women, which is currently making the film festival rounds.
She is the Senior Video Producer for the Brooklyn Museum and recently was the Showrunner on two Peacock/T+ unscripted series. She started her career at MTV Networks where for over 15 years she worked on celebrity driven programming for MTV News & Docs, MTV International, MTV Latin America and MTV tr3s, including as Director of two short documentaries on Shakira, and Field Director of MTV Cribs for 5 years. Later, as Supervising Producer/Showrunner, she oversaw a team of over 30 people for the production of 70 episodes that were produced within three years. Recently, she was the story producer of the 2021 Imagen Award winning short film Lights, Camera Acción for American Masters (PBS) and the 2018 Imagen Award winning PBS Great Performances documentary John Leguizamo’s Road to Broadway. She is currently in the final stages of production on a feature documentary on families raising children with disabilities, while researching, developing, and consulting on content that touches upon decolonization, climate change, and the arts.
Screening History
Premiere - Harlem Film Festival 2024
Female Eye Film Festival 2024
Spring Big Apple Film Festival 2024 - Official Selection
Silicon Valley African Film Festival 2024 - Official Selection
International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival - Official Selection
Awards History
Harlem International Film Festival 2024 - Best World Documentary
Detroit Film Festival 2024 - Most Inspirational Film
Female Eye Film Festival 2024 - Best Documentary
Press
"Johanna Fernandez, Historian, Professor, and author of the award-winning book, The Young Lords: A Radical History, says about the film: "Three (Extra) Ordinary Women is a powerful testament to resilience and strength amid immense challenges. By intertwining the protagonists' personal stories with their physical journey up Mount Kilimanjaro, the film creates an inspirational narrative that speaks to the universal human spirit. It reminds us that, like the arduous ascent of a mountain, overcoming life's obstacles requires perseverance, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to hope, forgiveness, and resilience.""
WBAI What's Going On! with Linda Sarsour (hosted by Johanna Fernandez), Wed, May 22, 2024
Credits
Cionín Lorenzo, Writer, Producer
Pearlette Ramos, Producer
