Ally
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Podcast

Ally Portee is a fashion and lifestyle writer, having contributed for publications like Forbes US, The Hollywood Reporter, Euronews, Forbes Middle East, GQ Middle East, Vogue Arabia, Arabian Business, Harper’s Bazaar, and others. Having developed an eye for couture craftsmanship, Ally has learned how to put intricate and detailed collections into words. As a result, she has developed relationships with some of the world's most leading brands, covering Paris, Milan, New York, Riyadh, and Dubai Fashion Week shows. She loves faith, cultures, and people and meshes the three together with her digital magazine, Seele. Before the world of fashion, Ally started out in the world of politics, interning and working in Washington, DC, in Congress and at The White House, and on political campaigns.

Ally created The Soulful Side Of Life Podcast, as a way to let you in on her conversations that revolve around faith, fashion, business, and lifestyle. Talking with fashion designers, CEOs, experts, and leaders on calling, character, life lessons, and getting their thoughts on relevant topics, it’s her hope that you will be inspired to go after your own goals and ambitions.

If you enjoy listening to the podcast, please follow.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allysonlolitaportee/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSoulfulSideOfLife

Seele Magazine: https://seelemag.com/

Episode 47- Film Director Christine Swanson Talks Her New Film “Albany Road”

Lynn Whitfiend and Renee Elise Goldsberry in Albany Road | Photo provided by Faith FIlmworks

Ally sat down over Zoom with Christine, who is known for her film The Clark Sisters, to talk about her newest film Albany Road, out on limited release on November 15th. Taking 23 days to shoot in Champagne, Illinois, it stars Renee Elise Goldsberry and cinema legend Lynn Whitfield.

Albany Road is anchored in the idea of Black Joy, laced with redemption and forgiveness, as you might expect from a company called Faith Filmworks, the production company headed by Christine and her husband Michael Swanson.

The film touches on the plethora of relationships that we have in life, and through colorful characters starring (Renee Elise Goldsberry’s) Celeste, a high powered, jittery ad executive, and her almost mother-in-law Paula (Lynn Whitfield).  A freak snow storm and a ticking clock forces them to share the last remaining rental car in a fierce snowstorm. Awkward! As their literal and emotional journey continues, secrets are unearthed, lost loves confronted, and messy, scary life events come to light. 

As a writer, filmmaker, and multiple award-winning director with an MFA in Film from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Christine has developed, written and/or directed entertainment projects for HBO Films, Lionsgate, Universal Television, Warner Bros. Television, CBS Television Studios, TV One, A&E Networks, BET Films, Starz and Faith Filmworks.

Photo provided by Faith FIlmworks

Gary Dourdan and Renee Elise Goldsberry | Photo provided by Faith FIlmworks

For over a decade, Christine has made films championing Black women. And her experience with this movie has led her to believe that mostly white, mostly male studio executives are all for telling Black Trauma stories, especially during Awards Season, but allergic to Black Joy projects. While the film does face some harsh realities of life, it does not focus on Black Trauma. She and Ally gets into this in the interview.  

Enjoy this podcast interview with Christine Swanson.

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