The Cinematic Schematic returns in part six of our ongoing Three Films That Got You Through the 2020 Pandemic interview series with entertainment writer, filmmaker, and host of the Hardcourt Hunnies podcast, Shea Vassar. We speak with Vassar about how the pandemic impacted her work as a freelance entertainment writer focused on native stories and her coverage of international film festivals like Sundance. We’ll wrap up the conversation by talking about the three films that helped her get through it all. 

Special Guest

Picture by Sophia Wilson for i-D’s piece on Indigenous New Yorkers

Shea Vassar

Writer, filmmaker and host of the Hardcourt Hunnies podcast

Follow Shea on Twitter @justsheavassar

According to her website, “Shea Vassar is a Cherokee Nation citizen and member of the Native American Journalists Association. Her film criticism career started as something to do to pass the time in film school at Hunter College and since has been published at Roger Ebert, High Country News, Film School Rejects, and Zora Magazine among others.

Currently, she is working with the Red House Project and is dedicated to bringing authentic Native representation to the screen. Shea is also a Master of Legal Studies student at the University of Oklahoma where she is specifically studying Indigenous Peoples’ Law. When not talking about movies, she co-hosts a podcast called Hardcourt Hunnies which is a bi-weekly show that discusses all things NBA.“

This conversation with Vassar came with a few surprises, including more love for Diego Luna than I’ve ever shared on any podcast, but as you’ll hear, it certainly won’t be the last time.  

Shea Vassar’s Three Film Selections

Blood Quantum (2019) – Now streaming on Shudder

Rogue One (2016) – Now streaming on Disney+

Leave Her to Heaven (1945) – Available to stream or rent on Flix Fling

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