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Meet Filmmaker Marielene “Deuce” Jones
May 1, 2025
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In this next edition of “Meet the Filmmaker,” we hear from Marielene “Deuce” Jones, the director of “Silent Waves.” She shares insight into why storytelling, filmmaking and artistic expression are vital.
Q. How did you get involved with filmmaking?
A. I didn’t grow up dreaming of being a filmmaker—and truthfully, I haven’t always been passionate about the things I’ve accomplished in life. But storytelling? That’s always been in my bones. In my culture, storytelling isn’t just entertainment—it’s a birthright. It’s how we pass down wisdom, teach values, preserve history, and connect across generations. We carry myths, legends, and spoken truths that shape how we move through the world.
Filmmaking became the natural extension of that tradition. It offered me a visual language to honor my roots and give voice to a community that’s too often silenced or stereotyped. As a Pacific Islander, I know what it feels like to not see yourself represented on screen, to feel like your story doesn’t matter in the larger narrative. So I realized—we can’t wait for the world to write us in. We have to do it ourselves. That’s why I’m here. To tell our stories, our way.
Q. What do you want audiences to know about your film?
A. At its heart, this film exposes how generational pain, unspoken grief, and cultural expectations can shape—and sometimes fracture—familial love. Through the story of Ocean, Sina, and Tai, “Silent Waves” explores the complexities of domestic violence, mental health, and sibling loyalty in a community where privacy, pride, and survival often override the cry for help.
This film isn’t just a drama, it’s a conversation starter. It challenges the silence that often exists in Pacific Islander households around issues like abuse, emotional neglect, and mental illness. It’s a plea to look deeper, to talk openly, and to heal collectively.
“Silent Waves” reflects both the beauty and the burden of being rooted in a community where the ocean’s calm can quickly turn into a storm.
Q. What is your connection to service?
A. I served in the United States Marine Corps for five years as an avionics technician specializing in the MV-22 Osprey. I later extended my contract for an additional year in order to deploy alongside the Navy—a decision rooted in both commitment and a desire to grow through new challenges. I was stationed at MCAS New River in North Carolina.
Within just a year, I quickly took on greater responsibilities and I was billeted as both the Work Center Supervisor and a Collateral Duty Inspector—roles that required a high level of technical proficiency, leadership, and attention to detail. Those years taught me discipline, adaptability, and how to lead under pressure.
Q. Why do you think films are important?
A. Films are important because they are one of the most powerful tools we have to preserve and share stories— our own, and those of others. They’re more than just entertainment; they’re vessels of memory, emotion, culture, and truth. Through film, we can honor the voices of those who came before us, keeping their names, struggles, and legacies alive even after they’re gone.
Films allow us to learn about people, places, and perspectives we might never encounter in our everyday lives. They expand our understanding of the world, challenge our assumptions, and inspire empathy. And for underrepresented communities like mine, film becomes even more essential. It’s a way to reclaim narrative power and document our existence in ways history books often overlook. Film is an outlet, a mirror, and a bridge— connecting the past, present, and future through story.
Q. Where do you find community?
A. Community, to me, is the family you choose and the one that chooses you back. While we’re born into parents, siblings, and bloodlines, those relationships don’t always guarantee the love, understanding, or support we deserve. Sometimes, the people who are supposed to show up for us are the ones who fall short, and that can be heartbreaking. But that’s where community steps in. True community is where love is given freely, and support doesn’t have to be begged for— it just exists. It surrounds you, holds you, and lifts you up when you’re not even sure how to ask for help. I’ve found that kind of community in my sister, in my cousins, in my nieces and nephews, and in the quiet strength of my parents. They’re the ones who remind me that family isn’t just about blood, it’s about presence, intention, and the love we build together.
About Silent Waves’, directed by Marielene “Deuce” Jones
After being violently attacked by her troubled brother, Ocean must face a tense standoff with her sister over calling the police, leading to a tragic family confrontation. Contains scenes of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.
San Diego premiere as part of the Narrative Shorts block on Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.
