“I also recognised the importance of storytelling. Whether it’s through oral history in Samoa or traditions within the Maasai community, stories are how culture is passed on” – Filmmaker Jade Jackson.
Samoan filmmaker Jade Jackson has released her latest project, a documentary based around two Maasai communities in Tanzania, East Africa called The First Drop.
Jade, who founded her own film company RRFILM, is no stranger to creating impactful projects. However The First Drop is her first feature length documentary and it was one, she says was a whole new experience for herself.
“It was a completely different experience. With scripted work you’re creating the world – you know where the story is going and you’re guiding actors through it,” Jade says.
“With documentary filmmaking, you’re constantly surrendering control. You have a plan, but the best moments are often the ones you never expected. You have to be present enough to recognise those moments and trust them.
“That was one of the biggest shifts for me as a director; instead of trying to control the story, I learnt to listen to it.”
Travelling to a country like Tanzania was where Jade says a lot of listening and understanding was needed due to its difference in culture and environment.
She was tasked to capture the story of two Maasai communities who were in the process of receiving clean water access for their people. The project became a reality with Jade working alongside Rhema Media and Convoy of Hope.
Having lived in New Zealand all her life, capturing a story that revolved around something as basic as water, made her realise the importance the small things are in life. As she says, it “puts things into perspective”.
“When we arrived, it became obvious that this wasn’t just a story about water. It was about people, faith, resilience, culture and hope. Water became the thread that connected everything else,” she added.
“We spent as much time as we could getting to know the community before filming, and that trust really shaped the documentary. I wanted audiences to feel like they were walking alongside the families rather than being told how to feel, or being told what to think about them.”
Travelling to a different country to shoot and piece together the project meant adjusting to new surroundings.
Jade says that the process was made easier through the generous hospitality of the Maasai people who made herself and the crew feel welcome and at home.
As a Samoan, Jade believes she was able to tap into her culture to draw similarities with the Maasai community which made the making of the documentary more relatable for her.
“Family sits at the centre of both cultures. Community comes before the individual, and there’s a deep respect for elders and tradition,” she says.
“I also recognised the importance of storytelling. Whether it’s through oral history in Samoa or traditions within the Maasai community, stories are how culture is passed on. Even though our cultures are very different, there were moments that felt surprisingly familiar.”
Given that this was her first time working on a lengthier documentary, Jade says there were many challenges along the way.
But with challenges comes learning and moments of knowing how to adapt through the process. An important part of those learnings for Jade was the importance of making sure the people of the culture and country were present to make sure everything was told correctly.
“We worked closely with our translators, local staff and the community every step of the way, and their voices shaped this documentary in countless ways. But looking back, I think there’s real value in having someone from that culture share ownership at a producing level. That’s something I would fight harder for in future,” Jade says.
“It made me ask myself some difficult questions. I believe stories can build understanding across cultures, and I hope that’s what this film does. But I also think it’s healthy to keep asking whether you’re the right person to tell a story, or whether your role is to create space for someone else to tell it.”
Through the learning that has come with the experience, growth is what Jade is hopeful for as she continues on in her filmmaking journey.
Now, being able to add documentary-maker to her catalog of work, there is now an interest to hopefully create more.
“I think being a part of a culture where identity is deeply connected to family and community helped me recognise those same values in the Maasai people. That shaped every decision we made as filmmakers,” she says.
“I also want to keep challenging myself to tell stories with care and curiosity. If there’s one thing this season has taught me, it’s that the best stories don’t just change the audience – they change the filmmaker too.”
The First Drop premieres on Shine TV on 23 July at 8pm, and will be available On Demand from 12pm that same day.
