A documentary on Jzayla and her’s (and others) relationship with her hair.
Detangling the Stigma, a short documentary directed by Jzayla Marcya and produced by Jennifer Onyeiwu, explores the deeply personal and often painful relationship that Jzayla and others have with their hair. In just under 11 minutes, the film attempts to tackle the intersection of beauty, identity, and systemic racism, focusing on how outdated principles in predominantly Caucasian societies have forced ethnic minorities to conform to a narrow and damaging standard of appearance.
From the outset, Detangling the Stigma is clear and direct in its messaging. Within the first two minutes, the audience is introduced to the core issue: a system built on uniformity, where anything outside the Eurocentric beauty standard is devalued and oppressed. The film succinctly illustrates the impact of this on generations of people, specifically those with Afro-textured hair, who have been forced to straighten or otherwise alter their hair just to conform to institutional norms. Schools and workplaces have often mandated these changes, stripping away the ability of individuals to care for and embrace their natural hair.
The documentary excels at revealing how something as seemingly simple as hair can carry such heavy social and cultural implications. By focusing on personal stories, the film humanises the issue, showing that this is not merely about aesthetics; it's about control, identity, and the long-lasting effects of racial discrimination.
The interviews are the heart of Detangling the Stigma. Emotionally strong and deeply personal, these segments allow the interviewees to share their experiences with both pain and triumph. Jzayla herself is a standout, her confidence and warmth radiating through the screen. Her smile and openness create an immediate connection with the audience, making it easy to empathise with her journey. These moments of vulnerability offer a powerful counter-narrative to the idea that natural hair is something to be hidden or ashamed of. Instead, the film presents natural hair as a source of pride and beauty.
The interview locations are thoughtfully chosen, with great attention paid to lighting and composition. The bright, warm settings mirror the positive emotions that Jzayla and the others express as they speak about embracing their natural hair. This visual warmth contrasts sharply with the cold, institutional environments that have historically demanded conformity.
One notable aspect of the documentary is its mix of current-day interviews and older home video footage. While this juxtaposition can create a sense of personal history and continuity, the drastic difference in picture quality between the two types of footage can be jarring. The grainy, lower-quality home videos stand in stark contrast to the polished interview segments, creating a visual shock that may take some viewers out of the film's otherwise cohesive flow.
Though the home videos show children happy with their natural hair, their inclusion feels somewhat out of place within the film’s broader narrative. It’s unclear what these clips are meant to add beyond reinforcing the positive emotions surrounding natural hair. Without further context or connection to the main storyline, these moments can come across as filler, rather than a meaningful addition to the documentary’s message. It might have been more effective to film additional footage of children today, maintaining a visual consistency while still capturing the joy of embracing natural hair.
Detangling the Stigma tackles a big topic for a short film, and its time constraints inevitably limit the depth it can achieve. While the film touches on the transition from straightened hair to natural Afro-style hair, this is a topic that could have been explored in greater detail. The emotional weight of this transition, and the psychological impact of reclaiming one’s natural appearance after years of conforming to societal expectations, are areas rich with potential that the film begins to explore but doesn’t have the time to fully unpack.
Despite these limitations, the documentary succeeds in its primary goal: encouraging others to embrace their natural hair. While it doesn’t attempt to tackle the systemic issues at the heart of the problem – such as institutional racism or the rigid beauty standards that persist in many parts of society – it makes an important contribution to the ongoing conversation around destigmatisation and acceptance. Simply seeing happy, smiling individuals with Afro-textured hair on screen is a step toward normalising and celebrating natural beauty in mainstream media.
Detangling the Stigma is a well-structured and impactful documentary that brings attention to a significant issue in a short amount of time. Through a mix of interviews, personal stories, and visual elements, the film effectively highlights the long-lasting effects of racism and control over something as personal as hair. While it may leave viewers wanting more in terms of depth and exploration, especially regarding the transition from straightened to natural hair, it serves as an important reminder of the power of self-acceptance and the importance of representation.
Detangling the Stigma is not just about hair; it’s about identity, pride, and reclaiming what has been lost through years of societal pressure. For Jzayla and others like her, embracing natural hair is an act of defiance, a statement of confidence, and a step toward undoing the stigma that has long surrounded Afro-textured hair. In doing so, the film contributes to a much-needed shift in the narrative, one that celebrates diversity and encourages others to do the same.
Day One Hāpai te Haeata provides rangatahi with the tools, guidance and opportunities to share stories on screen.
The entire series of the eight short films premieres at Hollywood Avondale on Tuesday 3rd September, with all films then released online the following day - and socials thereafter.
View the shorts here