History is a tricky beast to nail down. The result of a mixture that’s equal parts objective science, subjective perspective, political power, and good old fashioned belief, history is a feat, the attempt of which leaves scholars and students alike with the same inevitable paradox: on one hand, an unwilling acceptance of the fact that we will never be able to recount with complete accuracy or objectivity exactly what happened; and on the other hand a grim understanding of the consequences of getting it too wrong or worse yet, not trying at all.

Jeanine Hays and Bryan Mason sit down with friend, and filmmaker, Adepero Oduye to discuss radical creativity and her groundbreaking film, To Be Free, where Oduye transforms into the legendary Nina Simone.