Crafting The Baobab Tree Amidst Personal Grief

In the quietude of grief’s embrace, a story unfolds in the form of Danielle Browne’s screenplay, “The Baobab Tree.” It’s a tale of sorrow and a celebration of life, a dance of healing, and a cultural journey that transcends boundaries.

Browne’s inspiration for the screenplay sprouted from the fertile soil of personal loss. The short, rhyming format of her previous animated projects gave way to a narrative about grief and healing, a story that mirrored her own journey through the successive losses of her Great-Aunt, Aunt, and Father over three years.

Amidst the revolving door of pain, Browne aimed to portray the essence of healing by leaning on community and delving into the unique perspective of the Barabaig tribe. For her, this screenplay became a love letter to the departed family members, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

The evolution of the main characters underwent a significant transformation as Browne sought cultural specificity. “Initially, the human characters were portrayed as African without tying them to a specific nationality or culture” said Browne. “However, I was seeking both a distinctive touch to make my story stand out as well as greater cultural specificity.

Through collaboration with Emanuel Patrick, a cultural consultant from Arusha, Tanzania, the narrative gained depth and authenticity. The Barabaig tribe, with its distinctive burial traditions, became an integral part of the story, shaping the animation research and infusing the screenplay with cultural richness.

“This collaboration with Emanuel marked a significant turning point which shaped the cultural depth of my project and has become essential to the animation research through helping me conceptualize the ceremony and expand upon behaviors (i.e. dance, offerings, etc.) that make this burial so special.”

For Browne, the challenge of screenwriting lies in the delicate balance of introducing additional elements. Rounds of edits and readings were undertaken to ensure the screenplay reached a point where it could confidently step onto the stage of competitions, avoiding the pitfalls of perpetual editing.

Yet amidst the challenges, the most enjoyable and rewarding aspect for Browne is the research. Delving into languages, exploring traditions, and breathing life into characters through authenticity elevate the narrative beyond the one-dimensional, making it a vibrant tapestry of cultures and personalities.

“It’s a journey into the essence of your characters and their worlds.”

For filmmakers intrigued by Browne’s work, the door is open. She can be reached through her email, daniellebrowne98@gmail.com. Her focus lies in increasing the representation of Black people in the 2D animation space, with a commitment to stories where Black individuals are the driving forces of their narratives.

“The Baobab Tree,” tells the story of a friendship spanning generations, involving a prideful yet lonely Baobab tree and a 10-year-old boy. A century later, the tree encounters the boy’s great-great-grandson, compelling a journey through grief and the echoes of a cherished companionship.

In this narrative, Browne weaves a tapestry of emotions, cultural richness, and the resilience of the human spirit—a testament to the transformative power of storytelling.

“The Baobab Tree” is an official selection of the Utah International Film Festival happening February 12-17 in Utah County, UT USA.