We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Richard & Imelda Pines a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Richard & Imelda , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
“Apache Girl” is a tribute to the valiant, indigenous Apache women enduring acts of barbarity and whose heritage and lives were stolen. During the Apache War beginning from1861 and lasting until about 1924–the Americans battled the Apache warriors stretching from Southern Arizona to New Mexico. Amid the atrocities of both military and civilian Americans against the native Indians, two brave Apache women rise above their People– Lozen and Dahteste. Dahteste accepts a daunting task from the Spiritual God — to reach the high mountain and claim what belongs to their People. She is about twenty years younger than Lozen with a strong command of the English language. This skill enables her to serve as the interpreter in negotiations between the Apache tribes and the U.S. Government.
Lozen, defies the role of a traditional female Apache. Instead of tending to her family with domesticated duties, she trains with the male Apaches to fight. Due to her deep brotherly love for Victorio and loyalty to her People, she joins him in many battles to defend the Apaches. The title “Shield to her People” becomes synonym to her name.
After months of treacherous journey in the mountains of Chiricahua– encountering inclement weather, venomous snakes and enemies — Dahteste reaches the high mountain where she learns about the plight of her People. Lozen describes to her horrific massacre of Apaches at the battle of Tres Castillos including death of Victorio (Lozen’s brother), their food rations and blankets stolen, and their People dying from the diseases of the white eyes (American). Subsequently, Lozen prays to Ussen in finding the enemy and her hands begin to shake and turns color signifying the enemy is close by. The Apaches feel their souls weaken as they get shipped out to a reservation in Florida, far away from their Native land. Can one say, “Perfidious acts of U.S. Government is to blame?”
Richard & Imelda , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Richard A. Pines
His penchant for the Southwest and American History brought him to Arizona where “Apache Girl” was filmed. His acting experiences inspired him to work on the other side of the lens as a director. “Bequest” — a dramatic short film, garnered multiple awards –18 wins; 10 nominations including—Culver City Film Festival 2018 Best First Short; Chandler International Film Festival 2019 Best Arizona Film; Golden State Film Festival 2019 Best Suspense Short & Silver State Film Festival 2019 Grand Prize Best Cinematography Narrative Short. After “Bequest”, he wrote “Purgatory Plains” and it was selected as Best Feature Original Screenplay. He also directed 34 episodes of “The M.E.L. Show”. Prior to directing, he worked on stage, television and films. Richard received the Aubrey Award Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “To Kill a Mockingbird” Theater Scripps Ranch, San Diego, California in 1998. He’s known for his roles in Renegade, In Plain Sight, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives and the Academy Award-winning film, “Gods and Monsters with Brendan Fraser. When he is not filming, he is helping hundreds of students graduate from high school as a Credit Recovery teacher.
IMELDA PINES
Debuting on her professional film career as “Brooke” in “Bequest”, Imelda Pines never wasted a moment as soon as she came to San Francisco from the Philippines. “Mel”, as her friends would call her– visualized herself designing her own evening dress, hosting her own TV show and acting in a film– all of which have come true. Imelda Paclibar is a multi-media artist –garnering her theatrical experience from the prestigious American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.). She played the roles as orphanage director and psychiatrist in “Honeybucket” and “Winter Soldiers”. Consequently, she graduated as Cum Laude from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) and consulted and designed for various individuals. Her internship with KQED Ch.9 SF and KTVU Ch. 2 Oakland inspired her to write a 30-
minute television show with the purpose of “motivating and educating the viewers”. She was also Instrumental on the production of Apache Girl portraying all three characters and designing all costumes.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
All of my projects I strive to convey a meaningful message in “Bequest” it was an issue of mental illness that led to a murder suicide. This is a problem facing society today. Apache Girl tells the story of two true life female apache warriors and the atrocities that were commiteed against them as they were stripped of their existence and shipped off as prisoners of war. If viewers are left with a sense of understanding or reflection then we have artists have been successful.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes to educate and bring awareness to a particular subject. As a teacher it is important to bring out the truth in all projects and let the viewer place him or herself in that creative moment.
Contact Info:
- Website: ricmelfilms.tv melpines.tv richardpines.tv
- Instagram: rapines12
- Facebook: Richard Pines
- Twitter: ricmelfilms
- Youtube: Richard Pines Imelda Pines