Film Lens
Homegoings is a documentary directed by Christine Turner that focuses on the Owens Funeral Home located on Lenox Avenue in Harlem. The film provides an insight into African-American death rituals through the work of funeral home director Isaiah Owens, who is known for his skill in preparing bodies. The narrative is shaped by Turner's personal connection to the subject, as she became interested in death rituals after losing both of her grandmothers within two weeks.
The film premiered on February 28, 2013, at the Museum of Modern Art during the 'Documentary Fortnight 2013' event and later aired on PBS-TV's POV series. Filming began in 2009 after Turner reached out to Owens, inspired by a newspaper article about his work and his reputation for repairing corpses affected by various circumstances.
Why Watch
- •Meet Isaiah Owens, a skilled funeral director in Harlem.
- •See the unique African-American death rituals in detail.
- •Find out how personal loss inspired the filmmaker.
Did You Know
•The film premiered on February 28, 2013, at the Museum of Modern Art.
•Filming for Homegoings began in 2009 after Christine Turner contacted Isaiah Owens.
•Isaiah Owens is known as 'Fix Em' for his ability to repair damaged corpses.
•The documentary has a runtime of 60 minutes.
Perfect For
Funeral practicesCultural ritualsDocumentary enthusiasts