Masters of Journalism alum's award-winning doc about young basketball player proves powerful
Journalism Master’s alum Yasmine Mathurin (‘16) has been busy with the festival circuit promoting her directorial debut in One of Ours (external link, opens in new window) . The film shares the story of Josiah Wilson, a young man adopted as a baby in Haiti and raised in an Indigenous family in Calgary, Alta. His racial identity is called into question at an Indigenous basketball tournament leading to his expulsion from the league and a sport he’s passionate about. The film is available to watch for free during the Regent Park Film Festival (external link, opens in new window) from November 25 at 6 p.m. and December 2. The film also screens on CBC documentary Channel (external link, opens in new window) on Fri. December 3 at 9 p.m..
Trailer for documentary 'One of Ours'
One of Ours made its world premiere at the 2021 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival, and won the Special Jury Prize for Canadian Feature Documentary. Mathurin was also recently selected as a Netflix Talent Accelerator Fellow at TIFF, a year-long development experience for promising Canadian women in film.
Filmmaker and Journalism Master’s alum Yasmine Mathurin. Photo: Wade Hudson
Film poster for ‘One of Ours’ featuring Josiah Wilson
Self-exploration and storytelling
Mathurin’s documentary examines complex issues of identity, community, belonging and healing, and follows Wilson’s personal journey of self-exploration. Themes of colonialism, race, Black and Indigenous culture, family and community are deftly and compassionately examined. But Mathurin hasn’t always felt confident in her career-related choices.
“It's funny because I feel like I went to journalism school because I was kind of scared to admit to myself that I wanted to go to film school. I felt like journalism could be a slightly more practical way of telling stories and it also wouldn't freak out my parents. And it wouldn't freak me out as much, even though I knew I wanted to do film.”
I was more interested in being able to spend time with people whose stories I was telling
Josiah Wilson, point guard with Bella Bella's Heiltsuk Wolf Pack basketball team. Image courtesy of Yasmine Mathurin
Film still from award-winning documentary 'One of Ours'. Image courtesy of Yasmine Mathurin
I borrowed a camera during a trip to see my family in Calgary, and that became the material I used to pitch to funders,
In the program, Mathurin found herself gravitating towards the types of journalism that allowed extended periods of time with people, including long form and broadcast documentary.
“I was more interested in being able to spend time with people whose stories I was telling,” she shares. “And hard news didn't really give you that because it's fast-paced and it's a lot more deadline-driven.”
She credits the program with developing her tenacity for chasing stories. It was her persistence that made this first film possible. Wilson was very hesitant about opening up about his suffering after being rejected by the league and forced to question his beliefs about his identity, family and community.
“I knew Josiah and his family when I was a teenager growing up in Calgary,” says Mathurin. “Getting consent from him and his family was very important to me, even though it took me time to win Josiah’s trust.”
Posing at the Calgary International Film Festival
Q&A at the CIFF with Yasmine Mathurin and Josiah Wilson
Posing at the Calgary International Film Festival
CIFF Q&A with Yasmine Mathurin, Josiah Wilson and his family
Identity, belonging and the importance of community
Mathurin’s intentional approach delves into the human experience of carrying complicated questions about identity and the tensions and dissonances they provoke, as well as the fragilities they expose. The film also documents the power of healing and the importance of community.
She offers helpful advice to aspiring filmmakers and storytellers, reminding them that they don’t need a major budget to start filming.
“I borrowed a camera during a trip to see my family in Calgary, and that became the material I used to pitch to funders,” she explains. “Documentary doesn't wait until you have all the money. It’s happening in real time and it’s often urgent. Today, with accessible technology like cell phones, you can start with whatever is available to you.”
Mathurin offers another sage tip on feelings of imposter syndrome many creatives contend with;
“Don't wait for permission, because I don't think that ever really comes.”
‘One of Ours’ is available to screen virtually for free during the Regent Park Film Festival (external link, opens in new window) from Thurs. November 25 at 6 p.m. and Thurs. December 2. Register for access and catch the Q&A with Yasmine Mathurin.
‘One of Ours’ also screens on CBC documentary Channel (external link, opens in new window) on Fri. December 3 @ 9 p.m. EST.
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