How My Imagination Set Me Free | Mukunda Angulo | TEDxTeen
“I’ll never forget the day they announced it. It meant so much, because they said it was a ‘subject’ – it was a film about the power of imagination. About the power of our imagination. A film about about imagination. That really hit home.”
– Mukunda Angulo, 2016 TEDxTeen #Untapped Speaker
Mukunda grew up in the projects of Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York. For a child growing up in the city that never sleeps, circumstances confined him to a small family apartment. I am still astonished by his ability to hold onto imagination, regardless of the circumstances faced. I cannot even completely fathom a situation similar to Mukunda’s experience. His perspective, imagination, and freedom came from the power of movies.
Geographically speaking, movies served as a directional compass to help Mukunda and his brothers navigate throughout New York. I had found this to be oddly reassuring. Often, situations and circumstances are inaccurately depicted by movies and television. Additionally, many of us watch movies purely for entertainment. To actually sit back and reflect on how others may interpret locations that are highly popularized in America – would strengthen the global awareness that we have for others.
Mukunda and his brothers, (The Wolfpack) are prime examples of not allowing current circumstances to negatively impact the future. They could have simply succumb to the ‘dictatorship’ of their father by remaining under his rule. Instead, they walked outside of their front door. This action – arguably one of their most liberating experiences.
Freedom is not always a concept, it can manifest itself in the form of something tangible. This became reality for the Angulo brothers when opportunity presented itself. Taking control of not only their life, but how others understand their story. This came in the form of a feature film, The Wolfpack.
Photography and Images captured by a Nikon Coolpix L340
© Damaris Kyem
The Orchid Initiative 