Artist Statement by Joe LoBianco
My name is Joe LoBianco, and I am the writer and director of the short film, Sio Roho Yangu - Not My Soul. Racism remains a pervasive and insidious issue in the United States. This film tells the story of an African woman enslaved in 1807 America, highlighting her journey of survival and ultimate resilience in the face of the horrific punishment of the hot box. We aim to illuminate her pride, dignity, and strength, hoping that viewers will empathize with her experience and move closer to eradicating racism.
This film presents a rarely depicted perspective on the inhumane treatment of enslaved individuals. I believe that sharing these stories is crucial to dismantling racism. This significant historical narrative deserves recognition, and I was struck by the paucity of films addressing such themes.
Set in 1807, just before the 1808 ban on importing foreign slaves into the United States, the film follows a young African woman recently brought to America. New to this land and unable to understand the language, she endures the bewildering and brutal realities of slavery. Punished for an act of disobedience, she is confined to a hot box, where the entire narrative unfolds.
The protagonist's experience is central to the film, and my goal as a filmmaker is to immerse the viewer in her harrowing journey. We share in her suffering, prayers, endurance, and eventual emergence, stronger than before.
Initially conceived as a straightforward concept—one person in a confined space—the film has evolved into a profound exploration of human suffering, endurance, pride, and awakening.
Set on a plantation in South Carolina, the protagonist hails from the Congo and speaks Swahili. Her confinement in the box lasts approximately three days.
Our team has conducted extensive research on the slave trade, hot box punishments, plantation life, and the broader historical context, including visits to the National Museum of African American History & Culture and the National Museum of African Art, alongside comprehensive book and internet research.
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