Producer and Director Tina Adams Tells Us More About Her Newest Films, Two Feature Documentaries That Touch Very Close to Home.

From Right to Left: **Lucie Vondráčková and Tina Adams**
**Photo Credit to Olga Rusakova**

Tina Adams, best known in her native Czech Republic as Martina Adamcova, is a Canadian film producer and director. Tina speaks four languages fluently and has created films in multiple languages with famous stars from all over the world.

In today's episode, she talks about how filmmaking is "irrational" yet fulfilling. Her 2022 ambitions include two feature-length documentaries.

Here is our interview.

Please Tell Us More About Your New Documentaries.

We are filming and producing two heartbreaking documentaries that touch close to home for many minorities around the world.

The first is Concealed Identity. It is about a well-known genetic researcher, Emil Skamene, who grew up unaware of his Jewish heritage. He was rescued right after birth by his adoptive family and eventually moved to North America for University. From facing the holocaust to being nominated for the Nobel Prize and becoming a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, Emil Skamene's life is one of inspiration and perseverance. We are excited to bring his story to the big screen for everyone to see.

The second is called Harlem. We showcase its unique and beautiful architecture, a symbol of African American heritage. This documentary explores the new threats of demolition brought on by developers and their meaningless real estate ambitions.

Why Did You Decide To Focus on Documentaries This Time?

Ever since the pandemic locked everyone up at home, we have been consuming hours and hours of content. But, recently, people have become more and more interested in documentaries. I guess it's because most of them are weary of mindless entertainment; everyone wants to learn something new.

Documentaries provide a perfect resource for that. They are entertaining and full of objective and valuable information and insights from experts and respected scholars from every field.

Documentaries are the rage!

What Made You Decide To Become a Producer?

Being a producer is just like being a stunt car driver; there is no way to know exactly how everything will turn out. So we just have to be really good at predicting the future.

And that's just wild...

Being a producer is distinctly unique from being a director or the head of a company. As a producer, you need to have a certain degree of detachment from the normal way of seeing things. For us, we need to have an imagination that is free but at the same time anchored in reality, and that can drive us almost to insanity.

That's why it's so important as a producer to sit and ponder, collect your thoughts, and envision art extravagantly. As Marcello Mastroianni said: "The artist is working the most while procrastinating on the sofa."

Could You Tell Us a Little Bit More About Your Associates / Team?

I have been working alongside Viktor Schwarcz of my native Prague on Concealed Identity. This documentary was filmed in both Canada and the Czech Republic. It showcases Emil's life in many eras, languages, and situations. Emil Skamene has a truly remarkable life. We are proud and honored to illustrate that in this documentary. I also dream of featuring Liam Neeson or Meryl Streep as A-list celebrity voiceovers to narrate this touching story.

In addition, my talented and ambitious colleague Malcolm St-Pierre approached me with the idea to create Harlem and connected me with the Oscar-winning filmmaker Malcome Clarke. The project took off with the meeting of Michael Adams, the author of the book Harlem: Lost and Found.

Michael Adams is a well-known member of the Harlem community. He has stood up for the rights of its citizens and has fought long and hard to cherish and protect its history and heritage. We aim to bring the most beautiful moments from Harlem, incredible showcases of its architecture and let the world discover its hidden gems. We want to demonstrate to everyone what Harlem represents to the African American culture and heritage.

It would be a dream to feature president Barak Obama in the documentary; that would be epic and would really help our cause.