Interview with 'Sensei Fran Kicks A**' Director Simone Fary

Hello Folks,

We interviewed Simone Fary, the documentary filmmaker behind Sensei Fran Kicks A**, which won Best Documentary and Audience Choice at Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2019. The documentary centres on 81 year old Fran, who is a master of two Japanese Martial Arts.

If you haven’t seen Sensei Fran Kicks A** yet, you can now order the DVD from the website, or you also have the option to be notified, when the documentary is available for streaming. Streaming for the film, should be available next year.

Images courtesy of Simone Fary

What drew you to documentary filmmaking?

I always find that when I watch even a substandard documentary I learn something and my view of the world is broadened. Often my appreciation for our environment and the people in it is deepened as well. The community of documentary filmmakers is very supportive and has enriched my life greatly. Creating documentary films is very challenging, but it is a big part of what gives my life meaning and purpose.

How did you get started in documentary filmmaking? 

I went to film school, however these days this really isn’t necessary to become a documentary filmmaker.

Is there a difference between the documentaries you like to watch and the documentaries you make? 

Making a documentary film is incredibly time-consuming and expensive, with little hope of recuperating your “investment” in these days of media over-abundance. So while I love documentaries with animation and other creative visual treatments, I have to take a “leaner”, more DIY approach when making my own.

What drew you to making a documentary about Sensei Fran?

Images courtesy of Simone Fary

When I took my kids to the local judo club it was always cool to see how all the male Senseis had to bow towards Fran, as she was often the most highly ranked. Of course, this never happened when I had my camera available! So it just started with an idea that somebody should make a documentary about this interesting person, and that person was probably me. However, as I grew older myself, I started to become aware of how few positive depictions there were of older people (especially women) in media which made me realise the importance of finishing the film and bringing it to the world. More recently, I have seen many people become more fearful about everything that’s going on in the world. So I also think it’s important to provide more uplifting stories of people who face life with courage and optimism, and take action instead of talking or thinking themselves into paralysis.

What was your process for making the documentary?

My process was messy and intermittent, since I also needed to make a living while working on it. As mentioned in the documentary, it changed when I learned how many wonderful slides she had. I had originally thought to structure the film according to some of the principles Fran lives by, but found it worked better using a more chronological approach told through the slides.

I screened it at a feedback salon I co-founded and co-facilitate, and as a result reduced the film to under 20 minutes (from 24) and did one final interview to address the question of whether she had ever been married. I did a lot of soul searching about whether this question needed to be answered and would even be asked of a man. But in the end, I think it’s natural that people are curious. Fran just has such a passion for experiencing life, learning, and connecting with other people and cultures that a relationship would have only dragged her down.

How was your experience working on the documentary?

Making an independent documentary has many challenges, in Fran’s case one of them was having to leave out many things she’s seen and done over the years because there wasn’t time, or a good way to show them. This includes the fact that she practices ikebana (Japanese floral arranging), was one of the founders of a local bicycle group, did amateur theatre, dances regularly, volunteers etc.

How did you pick the title Sensei Fran Kicks Ass for the documentary? 

Fran had previously told me the story of  how the father had told his son how “that granny was going to kick ass”, and I had her repeat it on camera. I was a little concerned it might offend some people, but so far it just seems to make them smile (even my 86-year-old mother). 

How did the slides from Fran’s time in the Foreign Service affect the documentary? 

Even though Fran had labeled all the boxes, photographing, correcting, organising them etc. made the process take far longer than originally hoped for. However, the effort was certainly worth it.

How did your relationship with Fran change from before and after the making of the documentary?

We certainly grew closer because of it. Fran has expressed appreciation on numerous occasions.

How has Sensei Fran inspired you?

I have a tendency to overthink things, so seeing Fran’s “just do it” approach is inspiring. I’ve also adopted her habit of not complaining about pain. Of course Fran pays attention to, and takes care of her body and goes to the doctor when needed. She just doesn’t spend time talking about it and instead focuses on more positive things. In fact, she had a cracked rib at the first screening she was able to attend, and barely mentioned it.

I’ve been trying to eat more simply as she does. She also has made me much less apprehensive about growing older.

What was the best part of working on Sensei Fran Kicks Ass?

Getting to know Fran better was of course a treat. I learned so much, both from hearing her experiences, but also about the craft of filmmaking and working with editors.

What was the biggest lesson you learned while working on Sensei Fran Kicks Ass?

While a filmmaker may hope that their audience is “everyone”, after a while they learn that this is not possible and to focus on a more specific demographic. However, it’s been gratifying to see that Fran’s story has multiple audiences. The Fighting Spirit Film Festival experience has affirmed that many people in the martial arts will be inspired by her story. However, the film has also played at Jewish Film Festivals and has just gotten into its first Women’s Film Festival. I’m hopeful that publications focusing on aging will also be interested. In addition, I am seeing that people in the United States Foreign Service and State Department really appreciate seeing one of their own's contributions being celebrated in an era where they don’t feel valued.

What do you hope that people take away from watching Sensei Fran Kicks Ass?

One of Fran’s core values is the importance of making connections with different people and cultures as a way to learn and grow. That learning is a continual, lifelong process. Living healthfully and simply allows you to focus more on experiences, which are more valuable than material possessions. Teaching and sharing your knowledge is not only a service to others, but the only real way to take your own skills to the next level.

I know that you wanted to show positive female role models, particularly older women, how have older women, who’ve watched the documentary responded to it?

The film is just starting to circulate, but I haven’t yet seen a difference in how people respond. Middle-aged women have told me they need to try to be more like Fran. One young man told us he had wanted to take up rollerblading but had been scared to until he saw Fran’s story.

How has your experience been with Fighting Spirit Film Festival?

I really wish we could have been at the festival. The communication has been excellent, and receiving the awards has not only been very gratifying, but has given me encouragement to do the work to get Fran’s story out to a wider audience. As I said, I do think these times call for courageous role models, and I think there are many such stories in the martial arts community that I’m sure you will find and support.

Don’t forget to show your support for Simone Fary and Check Out Her Website

Images courtesy of Simone Fary