In this engaging episode of Nomadic Diaries, Doreen Cumberford and Megan Norton-Newbanks welcome Caz Stuart, an accomplished documentary filmmaker, to discuss the art of storytelling, belonging, and community - both on and off camera. Caz explores her nomadic journey from Europe to San Miguel, Mexico, weaving in her extensive career experiences, particularly in making hard-hitting documentaries on social issues for UK television.
The conversation spans topics from the dynamics of competitive pickleball in San Miguel to the emotional landscape of filmmaking - how empathy, resilience, and a sense of belonging take center stage in both telling and living remarkable stories. The trio also tackles how expat communities form, the challenges of integration, and the healing power of storytelling for both audiences and contributors.
Key Takeaways
- Filmmaking as a Path to Belonging:
Caz shares that her love for languages and travel opened up an understanding that people everywhere share similar hopes and dreams, inspiring her to make documentaries that foster empathy and connection. - Belonging in Challenging Contexts:
Through stories from shows like Survivor, Caz describes how extreme circumstances and teamwork cultivate intense, sometimes fleeting, bonds—a microcosm for belonging. - Resilience and Isolation:
The conversation delves into how belonging is deeply tied to resilience, and how isolation and lack of community can deepen hardship, especially for nomads and expats. - Duty of Care in Storytelling:
Caz emphasizes the responsibility filmmakers hold toward their subjects, ensuring stories are told ethically and contributors are supported during and after filming. - Expat Integration & Community in San Miguel:
The group reflect on San Miguel’s unique blend of cultural vibrancy and welcoming atmosphere, while also discussing the importance of language, integration, and the mutual duty to foster genuine connection with local communities. - Behind-the-Scenes Insights:
From stressful production schedules to navigating heavy topics, Caz shares candid examples from her work, highlighting the importance of curiosity, compassion, and finding compelling characters. - Advice to Listeners:
Curiosity is key—embrace new cultures, ask questions, seek out stories, and don’t shut yourself off from learning opportunities. Belonging is built through exploration.
Memorable Quotes
- “Filmmaking for me was not something I thought about growing up…I just knew that I loved languages and I’m good at them, and so that took me traveling.”
- “People in general are good people…and so that made me think, I want to make films that help people understand that.”
- “If you have no belonging, you have to have a lot of resilience. Because belonging is the thing we crave.”
- “As filmmakers, we have a duty of care to make sure the experience is a good one, and follow up with the care afterwards as well.”
- “To be curious, not to shut down and go within your own little world, but to always look outwards and see what you can learn from other people.”
Further Discussion Points
- The evolution of San Miguel as a cultural hub and refuge for expats.
- The challenges for older expats and those who struggle with integration, especially due to language barriers.
- Ethical considerations in documentary filmmaking—balancing powerful storytelling and contributor well-being.
- How compressed, stressful environments can accelerate a sense of community or reveal character.
- The importance of storytelling as a healing
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