Hima B. is a queer South Asian and an interdependent director/producer who makes documentaries, narratives, & experimental films/videos that explore the intersections of race, gender, sexual orientation, labor, & economics, especially as they impact queer women.

LICENSE TO PIMP
(work-in-progress)
Producer, Director, & Camera: Hima B.
15 out of 16 San Francisco strip clubs require their dancers to pay $100 to $500 in illegal fees per shift for the privilege to work. To expedite collection of these fees, management operate illegal private booths, which not only violate police, labor, & public health codes but also place these workers at risk for rape, assault, robbery, coerced prostitution, & HIV/AIDS. This feature length documentary uses a tapestry of cinema verite, animation, interviews, & archival footage to chronicle the personal stories of three strippers as they take different approaches to resisting prostitution as their workplaces become brothels. “Daisy Anarchy” is an outspoken whistle-blower who demands that city & state agencies enforce laws to protect workers’ rights. “Mariko Passion” quits the strip club industry determined to find a 9-5 job with similar pay but struggles to maintain the same lifestyle. “Lupita”, a 16-year Latina refugee, competes with strip club prostitutes to keep her job and remain a virgin while supporting her family. This documentary is filmed at a pivotal moment as legislation that seeks to protect strippers’ rights is drafted and strip clubs & pro-management strippers fight to maintain the private booths and work fees. This project was awarded the Paul Robeson Fund for Independent Media.

AND I DO SURVIVE
(work-in-progress)
Producer, Director, & Camera: Hima B.
This documentary chronicles Michelle Lopez, a Trinidadian lesbian as she pursues the American Dream as an HIV+ single mother. She is an AIDS activist determined to lift the US’s ban on HIV+ immigrants from getting citizenship. Juxtaposed alongside cinema verite scenes of her current adult life are animated sequences of Michelle’s adolescence as she comes of age confronting incest, homophobia, attempting suicide, abusing substances, & eventually immigrating to America. As a new immigrant, her experiences included exploring bisexuality, domestic violence, survival prostitution, motherhood, & contracting HIV/AIDS. This project was awarded an Astraea Foundation grant.