Witnessing a Young Woman’s Growth in 
CHERRY LEMONADE

 In the last few years, our society has seen a beautiful shift within the community of women. We are finding our voice, not being afraid to tell our truth, and being more confident in what we want and don’t want. One tends to forget, though, that before women can reach that self-independence, we have to find our worth within ourselves. In the new short film by Aisha Ford, Cherry Lemonade, a young woman does just that.

Phoenix (Eris Baker) lives in her brother Kurt (Skylan Brooks) shadow. He is her protector, making sure they are side by side as they navigate the world as teenagers. Kurt even tries to teach her how to defend herself through boxing, but all Phoenix longs for is independence. Or as Ford describes it, “a story about a young girl learning how to hold her own in a world that contains tough (and sometimes violent) men, even when those men present themselves as her protectors.”

Most women have experienced something similar to this in their youth, trying to venture to find where they fit in but being held back by other’s protection, the feeling of wanting to break free but being told we aren’t ready yet. While this is something universal, it’s not a topic not commonly shown in the film. I asked Ford, who I had the pleasure of speaking with, about what inspired her to bring Cherry Lemonade to the masses.

“Growing up in a lower-class neighborhood, the youngest in a family of boys, I had to learn how to hold my own. I remembered the beauty and the fun of my hometown, but also the dangers,” Ford explains. “As a filmmaker, I yearn to bring those lessons to the big screen and make films that represent the community and home I remember in a way that champions its complexity and authenticity.”

For me, what makes this film resonate so deeply is the fact that I know the emotions that are contained within Phoenix’s core. The uncertainty of where she stands, yet wanting to be a part of a community, like the cheerleaders she sees in her peripheral. This connection the audience feels with Phoenix immediately draws us into Cherry Lemonade. We see our plight represented in her story. I was fascinated at a story that emits a universal situation, yet was a very personal story for Ford.

“I think everyone can relate to a time where they felt like they didn't have a place to belong or comparing themselves to someone else. That everlasting sense of questioning one’s identity,” Ford adds. “All of these subtle, internal moments are universal. I also feel that everyone who has a sibling can relate, the older brother who is loyal but can be a bit of an annoyance.”

Coming of age stories usually focuses around the tail end of high school, when teenagers are flirting with adulthood. However, in Cherry Lemonade, Phoenix is still a young teenager. This struck me because remembering back to my youth, this time was full of so many layers of life. In retrospect, this is the perfect age to showcase growth. In navigating the perils and beauty of life, how can someone not stumble onto their true self.

“I wanted to highlight this transition from the tunnel vision that is adolescence to someone who is becoming more aware of the spaces that she occupies,” Ford acknowledges. She is a very observant young woman throughout the film, learning that it is right and wrong in the world. At this very young age, she has the strength to hold her own.”

Cherry Lemonade isn’t just a film that follows a young woman coming out of her brother’s shadow. A strong portion of the film is about that rise, but with the backdrop of how a stranger can influence our emotions. After Phoenix can break free for a moment, an unfamiliar and uncomfortable man (Kericho Corry) crosses her path. His immediate presence exudes danger, but in reality, he hasn’t done anything but talk to her. As adults, we have become jaded at the risks involved in any unfamiliar interaction, but for Phoenix, she’s unsure. We see her navigating this unexpected situation, and we can’t help but feel helpless.

“The film communicates the awareness of possible dangers through Phoenix’s perspective as she is discovering them,” Ford revealed. “It was key for me to include the visuals and the ambiance of my hometown as if it were its own character.”

This is where Cherry Lemonade explores the deeper layers of Ford’s story. Due to unforeseen situations, Phoenix is in a dire situation where she now has to travel home in the dark. She is scared, but aware, being as strong as she can be in a situation she never expected to be in. Then the Man in the Car shows up again, and the sense of confinement rears its ugly head. 

That’s not the case though, instead, it’s a twisted form of protection sent by her brother. I couldn’t help but be hit with a wide range of complicated emotions towards the protective older brother. This also made me realize that women have a hard time finding their voice because others don’t believe they have one yet.

“I never quite thought of it like that, but I see your point and I agree in a way. I wanted to show that young women also have this power, at this age, even now. Women are often seen as weak or not capable of handling their own situations,” Ford emphasizes. 

In the end, Cherry Lemonade is a film about personal growth. We witness Phoenix as she tastes a little freedom and the dangers that freedom presents. Through it all, she realizes she is stronger than others think she is, and that becomes her power. Not everyone gains this knowledge through conflict, but most do gain it through adversity. Phoenix found her strength because she told herself she was capable of it, proving those around her wrong.

“I wanted the film to champion these big moments in womanhood, but in kind of a small-but-mighty character,” Ford remarks. “Not just discovering her inner strength, but also embracing growth in general.”

This film was beautiful, not only in the way it showcased a young woman’s growth into herself but because through her journey women can reignite their inner strength. Ford is a wonderful filmmaker and I’m excited to see what stories she will articulate in the future. While Cherry Lemonade is a personal exploration for her, Ford still hopes she can awaken something within her audience.

“I hope that male audiences will understand the impact that they have on younger people who look to them as their protectors. The world is a really scary place, especially for young black girls. Preparing them to navigate this space is essential, but it’s also like you said, acknowledging that women have inner strength,” Ford says.

Cherry Lemonade was recently screened at both the Tribeca and the Roxbury International film festivals.

Written by Lisa M Mejia
Images provided by Jessica Perez