SC: How do you feel about all of the attention the film is now receiving? How would you like to see it grow and develop – what are your plans for the future with it?
M: I am absolutely thrilled by the attention that the film is receiving now! Amber and I have been inspired to pursue new creative projects in conjunction with the film’s new life online – we’ve been shooting new follow-up footage, we’re working on a feature screenplay about the Dirty Girls, and we’ve been meeting with reality TV production companies who have contacted us since the video went viral. It’s an exciting time, and we’re enjoying exploring all of the future options for new Dirty Girl endeavours!
SC: Have you been in touch with any of the people who were negative about the Dirty Girls in the film? How do you think they will feel watching it today?
M: I’ve heard from a number of the people who were negative about the Dirty Girls in the film. I was worried that they’d be upset to have been included in this video that’s now viewable online, but so far everyone who’s contacted me has said that they’re really tickled and amused by their appearance in the documentary. I mean, ultimately, all of these kids, even the mean ones, were really just figuring out who they themselves were at the time. High school is a confusing time for everyone. So I think that now that they’re all adults, they can see it as an endearing time capsule of a time when everyone was just
really confused and sorting themselves out. And I think it’s hilarious to all of them to see the 90’s teen version of themselves.
Amber and Michael today, back at their old high school.
I then had a Skype interview with Amber – one of the leaders of the group, and along with her sister Harper, one of the most intriguing and inspiring characters.
SC: Yo Amber! What was your initial reaction when you saw Dirty Girls – did Michael let you know, or did you just stumble upon the film?
A: My sister and I had actually just got back from India so we were way out of touch with everything. And then we came back and then a week later a good friend of mine e-mailed me like ‘I saw your video! you guys were awesome! I love you!’ and that was it. And I was like – what video? Then somebody else mentioned that our high school video was on YouTube and I thought, ‘Oh my god the one that was made twenty years ago?’ And then I think Michael called me and just said that he’d put the video up and it’s started to get a bunch of hits, so I should check it out. Because, you know, even for him it was an accident. It was just like a perfect storm how this all happened – including the week that he put it on YouTube was during national women’s week. Also with bullying being all over the news. And the recent insurgence of new feminism and riot grrrl thing coming back – like the nineties are back in fashion. And people are saying that it’s a film that’s kind of needed right now – you know, had this been released last year maybe it wouldn’t have had such an impact. So I watched it and I was like ‘Shit! There it is’, you know I haven’t seen it since 2000.
SC: And going back then to the time it was being filmed – how did you feel about it? Did he just come to you and start filming?
A: Well, what’s strange is that I have giant blocks in my memory of that time. And so, when I talk to my friends or when I watch that movie stuff comes back. But when I think about it, like when I tap into whatever I do remember about that time – like I was just in my own world, I don’t really remember even him asking us if we wanted to do the video. I remember him for a little bit filming us, but I was so in my own world at that time I didn’t even know he was interviewing other kids really. You know the older kids that are sort of the naysayers – It was when I saw the film was the first time that I kind of really realised that was going on. So it started out as just me and my best friend, and of course Harper my sister who was in another grade.. but I don’t know. I never really recognized that there were a lot of people around me and watching me.
SC: What’s great about you guys in the film and what sets you apart is that you are not aware – and the people who are are very condescending and judgmental. But you guys just do what you do and you keep to yourselves. It’s good to hear that from you because that’s what comes across in the film. Watching it now – did it bring back any memories? Do you feel like you are proud of who you were? Does it bring back any bad memories?
A: I don’t actually have bad memories of high school. A lot of people relate to the film because they feel like they were bullied or they were outcast or things like that. But I guess I was kind of, in a way choosing what I was doing. I really didn’t care – people said things but it never really hurt my feelings. I don’t know how or why, but I don’t feel bruised or hurt or anything like that.
SC: I think that’s kind of what is amazing about the film – that’s kind of the message of it. It’s that you can be different and that it is your choice – that’s really the power of the film. So hopefully a lot of kids will watch it now and think ‘I don’t have to feel bad for who I am, and if I am an outcast as such, then so be it. Because I want to be, because I’m not conforming like everybody else’. It’s like you’re only a victim if you let yourself be, and that’s such an pressing theme that the film explores – it’s something very important for our generation, especially as everything is so amped up and accessible. It’s about empowering yourself.
A: Yeah. The only thing that is the other part of that is that some people when they are physically bullied – that’s a whole other thing. Or if they get teased for something that isn’t a choice. But even so it’s good and helpful to get inspiration and a way to get out of that.
