Experiencing Interruptions?

High On Heels

High heels are an experience for women. Today, they have come to represent many things for many women like beauty, sexuality, sophistication, empowerment, maturity, style, and professionalism. This documentary film explores this dynamic and examines the subtle yet popular accessory both men and women take for granted. An in-depth look into the historical significance of the high-heeled shoe will parallel an in-depth look at the health factors that come with wearing them. As a conversational piece, the symbolism, evolution and lifestyle trend of the high heel are expressed by shoe designers, stylists, dancers, models, fashion bloggers, doctors, and everyday women.

  • Adelin Gasana
    Director
    Cuban America, Black Church, Inc., Maynard
  • Adelin Gasana
    Writer
    Cuban America, Black Church, Inc., Maynard
  • Lola Kayode
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    44 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 15, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Adelin Gasana

Rwandan-American independent documentary filmmaker, Adelin Gasana fell in love with the genre halfway through high school and began producing documentaries since his freshman year in college. For the past decade his professional experience in the TV and film industries afforded him the talent and ability to work in all aspects of production from concept to completion--directing, writing, researching, logging, producing, shooting, editing, and marketing. Most of the documentary film projects he has worked on from concept to completion have focused on current social, political, historical and cultural issues. The film topics range from the Cuban Diaspora of Miami, black megachurches, feminism, Existentialism, high heels, and how history is taught. Gasana has also worked in broadcast news, music videos, reality television, promotional videos, infomercials, concert/performance shows, commercial shoots and professional videography. Avid traveler, fervent reader, sports enthusiast, and news junkie, Gasana currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

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Director Statement

This documentary film began as a cool topic of style critique and fashion intrigue. A couple months into production after a deep dive in research and conducting multiple interviews the topic evolved into a nuanced subject highlighting the varying experiences of women's lifestyle and personal expression. Such fascination led to an in-depth look into this stylish accessory that the general public sees all the time but doesn't put too much thought into. As the director I wanted to take this item of the high-heeled shoe and examine it from A to Z. What does it represent? Where did it come from? How has it evolved over time? What are women's experiences with it? And, where is it going? I want viewers to take a glimpse into the powerful yet subtle symbolism and reality of wearing high heels and follow personal anecdotes of women of all races, cultures, and styles connecting with high heels in their everyday life experiences. Moreover, as a hetero-man taking on this subject matter I was simply a fly on the wall in producing this film--kind of like being on the outside looking in. Who knew a high-heeled shoe could invoke such a rich historical, societal, medical, and pop cultural discussion?