Documentary Film
A Mother Apart
(Formerly Mothering in the Movement)
Written/Directed by Laurie TOWNSHEND
Producers Alison Duke, Ngardy Conteh-George, Justine Pimlott
Oya media group/NFB Co-PRO
(2024)
An emotionally sweeping tale of healing and forgiveness, A Mother Apart accompanies powerhouse Jamaican-American poet and LGBTQ+ activist Staceyann Chin as she re-imagines the essential art of mothering—having been abandoned by her own mother.
How do you raise a child when your own mother abandoned you? In a remarkable story of healing and forgiveness, Jamaican-American poet and LGBTQ+ activist Staceyann Chin, renowned for performances in Def Poetry Slam and hit solo shows like MotherStruck!, radically re-imagines the essential art of mothering. In seeking her elusive mother—a trail that leads to Brooklyn, Montreal, Cologne and, finally, Jamaica—Staceyann and her daughter forge a new sense of home.
“I come from a line of women with dark scars for last names. ”
Charley
written & directed by laurie townshend
produced by alISON duke
(2016)
This extraordinary mini doc captures the life of civil rights lawyer/ activist Charles Roach and his activism on immigration in Toronto in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. It was directed by Laurie Townshend for the Akua Benjamin Legacy Project celebrating 50 years of black activism in Toronto.
Executive Produced by Alison Duke
Human Frequency Streetdocs
written, directed, produced by laurie townshend
(2014)
Many conversations with strangers. One universal dialogue rooted in love.
My take on human connectedness through the art of tuning in.
Hairstory: a loc doc
written , directed, produced by laurie townshend
(2008)
My very first documentary film, capturing the moment I decide to chop off my chemically treated hair and ‘go natural’