Richie Shazam Celebrates Her Found Family in 'Savitree'
In partnership with Converse, model/actor/activist Richie Shazam premieres her debut film at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Richie Shazam grew up in Queens, New York, but she was truly born in Union Square Park in downtown Manhattan. As a part of Converse's celebration of Pride Month, the sneaker giant tapped Shazam to direct a short film, "Savitree," that made its debut during the Tribeca Film Festival. The project focuses on the model's upbringing as a trans, non-binary person in a conservative family and neighborhood, as well as how she encountered her "found family"—her best friends Brianna Andalore and Julia Fox.
Speaking to L'OFFICIEL, Shazam explained that directing felt like the next step in a career steeped in creativity. "I felt that directing was the natural progression of where I was going and my storytelling. I see myself as a storyteller and it’s super important for me to tell raw, real stories. This film was super important to me as it’s related to found family and found family is such an integral part of my identity. I was super excited to partner with Converse and Tribeca Festival in bringing this film to life."
The film's title is a tribute to Shazam's mother who suffered from illness as a result of her pregnancy throughout Shazam's life. Despite her community's lack of acceptance of her identity, Shazam's mother remained a major support system in her life. However, after her mother's death, she left home at 18. Now, living on her own while also exploring her gender expression, the filmmaker struggled with homelessness and the general feeling of being alone. That is, until she met Andalore.
While hanging out in Union Square Park, Shazam noticed a young woman dressed "unapologetically" in a pink tutu. Over time, the two sparked a friendship that has survived decades. Later, the two found a third member to round out their trio: Fox.
In a Q&A following the film's premiere, Fox and Shazam shared the story of how their friendship began at an After Hours party. "I got into a fight with a dude and an ashtray went flying, and then Richie came up to me and we've been best friends ever since," explained Fox, before Shazam added that she recalled Fox "having a meat cleaver in [her] hand."
With the encouragement of Fox and Andalore (who is now Fox's stylist), Shazam found acceptance of who she is as well as the space to explore her identity, specifically pointing to the first time she tried on high heels as Fox and Andalore's suggestion.
While the film is a tribute to the people in Shazam's life that have supported her, she recognizes how Converse's support of this project has allowed her to explore a new side of her creativity, pay homage to her found family, and share her journey with other queer individuals struggling to find acceptance from loved ones.
Shazam told L'OFFICIEL, "Converse has given me all of the tools necessary to create this film and to bring the film to life. I think it is super important for queer artists of color to be given positions of power to tell their own stories how they see fit and to showcase the beauty and intricacies, not just in Pride Month but all year round. Converse has been super supportive and instrumental in me telling my story."
In tandem with the core theme of "Savitree," Converse's By You Pride Month campaign focuses on the found family. Each pair in the collection is united by graphic patchwork that plays on the Pride Flag. In addition, each pair is customizable with patches, laces, and license plates that represent your personal identity.
