The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

IF YOUR definition of perfect feet is limited to nicely shaped toes, groomed nails and the absence of corns or calluses, then a new documentary may change your views towards your feet and your approach to their health.

Bahamian Calvin Dwight Harris is the filmmaker behind the feature length documentary “Perfect Feet” that focuses on the foot care and the shoe industry.

“Perfect Feet” premieres in fall 2015 and explores the relationship that people have with their feet and what steps they take in order to maintain them.

“I can tell you from the time spent making this film that not everyone possesses a pair of perfect feet. Some of us, including myself, need to take better care of our feet. Some may argue that your feet are indeed the window to your soul. In the movie we will be looking into such industries like fashion, athletics, healthcare, art, publications, cosmetics, nail polish, socks and the shoe industries,” he said.

Mr Harris said the concept of ‘Perfect Feet’ came from a both a personal fascination he has with feet, particularly women’s feet, and also the amount of resources people spend on maintaining their feet for either personal or professional purposes, for example athletes.

“When my team and I first started shooting this film we simply went to the best nail salon in the state of Colorado – Zenails – and worked with owners Tom and Dina. They were great. They give us an insight into what the business side of owning a salon looked like and explained to us why a person would invest so much into taking care of their feet. They had clients that would rather give up buying groceries (than not) getting their biweekly or monthly pedicures done,” the filmmaker told Tribune Health.

“The average person spends about $300 a year on pedicures. The industry did about $780 million in business in 2012. So foot care is big business. Some of their clients ranged from young college students, to housewives, business executives (men and women), and persons who might be diabetics. Since then the film has evolved. We are now focused on the entire range of industries that would lead someone into the right medium to take care of their feet.”

The film also highlights diabetes, an issue that is close to Mr Harris’ heart, as he is a Type 2 diabetic and lost his brother to the disease in 2001.

“The reason I decided to highlight diabetes in my film was inspired by several factors. One of which involved Shawn Lester from Kansas, who is the co-owner of a salon called ‘Blondell’s’. Shawn’s mother passed away after having her foot amputated from diabetes. We wanted to tell this story to stress the importance of watching one’s blood sugar levels because one of the leading causes for someone having their foot amputated was from the effects of diabetes,” he said.

“I also know firsthand what diabetes can do to people who do not take care of their health. My eldest brother, Dennis Harris, passed away from this disease in 2001. He was only 51 years old. I am also a diabetic. I was first diagnosed in October 2009.

“It is a constant battle to maintain one’s health, but through the process of making this film I have learned the importance of watching my daily blood sugar levels and how this could one day impact my feet.”

Mr Harris also hopes that people are inspired by the documentary to take the proper steps to maintain their health.

“Hopefully some of the stories and testimonies that some of the interviewees were brave and courageous enough to share will serve as a benchmark for those persons out there that are curious about how to maintain their feet and also might have a fascination with feet.

“Viewers will not only learn how to take care of their feet, but they will be educated on the importance of maintaining good feet, especially when looking at the huge financial gains one can achieve in such areas as fashion, athletics and modelling,” he said.

Mr Harris worked for a year on the film along with cinematographer and editor Gary Otte, musical score creator Steve Esteban, editor John Austin and executive producer Will Reed.