Backstory
The director and writer of the documentary is journalist Susani Mahadura, who has become a household name in Finnish media through her award-winning national radio programme Mahadura & Özberkan:
I met Kelet a few years ago, when she was 19 years old. I had invited her for an interview on my radio show to talk about her experiences of living as a Black trans woman in Finland. I saw how this young person was suffering, because she felt isolated and unsafe in this society.
Kelet’s story made me think about how few stories we hear of people who live as minorities within minorities. Later, Kelet invited me to see her first Vogue Ball performance. I will always remember the moment Kelet stepped on stage. I saw an entirely different side of the shy young person I had met before. Kelet radiated like a star, who was born to walk the runway. It was also touching to see how clearly ballroom culture is able to offer a safe and loving environment for Kelet, where she can fully live out her dreams. That night, I realised there had to be a film about Kelet’s life. Kelet and her friends’ voices need to be heard, so every young person knows that their own story too is precious and deserves to be told.
We need role models. We need representation. We need stories that celebrate Blackness and gender diversity and that encourage young people to fearlessly follow their dreams. We need a society that is safe for people of all colours and genders. I believe in the power of this story. I believe in Kelet. And above all, I believe in the power of Kelet’s story to make this a safer and more equal society.
SUSANI MAHADURA, DIRECTOR
Aims of the film
The film's purpose is to depict a strong and positive role model for trans women of colour, and to show that regardless of life's difficulties, it is possible to realise your dreams.
In the film, the word “model” has a double meaning. Having perceived herself as an outcast most of her life, Kelet shares her story and becomes not only a fashion model, but something she only dreamed of having when she was young: a role model. What kind of influence do they have in the construction of identities? What damage can a lack thereof cause? Kelet is a story of how important these role models are.
FAQ
HOW DID SUSANI AND KELET MEET?
When Kelet first moved to Finland she was a guest on Susani’s radio show “Mahadura & Özberkan” on national radio YLE Puhe, in early 2017.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO MAKE THE FILM?
The film was shot over a period of two years, between September 2017 and September 2019. The premiere will be in January 2020.
WHAT IS BALLROOM CULTURE?
Ballroom culture, or drag ball culture, originated in the 1920s and rose to prominence in New York’s mostly Black and Latinx LGBTQI+ communities in the 1970s. Ballroom culture forms around family- like groups called ”Houses” led by “Mothers” - a reference to pro- viding mentorship and community for those who have been rejected by their biological families. Different houses compete against each others at the Balls. The Balls consist of various categories such as performance (voguing), runway, realness, drag etc. Ballroom forms a safe space where freedom of gender identity and sexuality is allowed and celebrated.
