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‘Two Distant Strangers’ and the Reality Black Americans Face Every Day

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Written by Betti Halsell
Interview by Tiara Taylor

Creatives have been no stranger to using art as a medium for controversial context. Writer and co-director Travon Free has done just that with the creation of his short film Two Distant Strangers. When his heart was convicted by the racial uprisings that took place last summer, the cycle of grief and anger became a recognizable pattern that Free painted. He partnered with director Martin Desmond Roe to bring forth a film that is sure to leave a life-long impression amongst viewers.

Diving deeper into the intentions of the project, Free unpacked the nature of his idea and the meaning he intends for the the short film to carry. Two Distant Strangers follows a cartoonist Carter James (played by Joey Bada$$) who enters into a dimension of his day on a looped cycle, reliving his worst nightmare.

“This story came from just the raw feeling that I felt around last summer when I was internalizing all the stories you kept seeing and hearing about,” the filmmaker reflected on the inspiration behind the film’s conception. Free referred to the despair that overshadowed the country when the video of George Floyd’s murder was released.

There are so many stories similar to Floyd’s – the murder of Breonna Taylor, Ahmuad Arbery, Stephon Clark, Philando Castille, and others. For Free, it was like reliving the same horrendous day – “…You go through this cycle of emotions, processing each one. You’re angry and you’re sad. You’re hopeless and then you find a way to accept it, and get yourself back to life.”He continued, “It happened so frequently, you go through that cycle so close together that you find those cycles overlapping.”

Two Distant Strangers ingeniously projects what is happening within the Black community, as the same story of police brutality repeating itself. He describes it as “living in the worst version of groundhog’s day”. Building off that concept, the project was conceived and moved forward into production. The filmmaker depicts the feeling of no escape from the horrific account of brutality that lives within the community, by having the main character live through the same torturous hours over and over again.

The intention of the film is not only to relinquish the shared experience of anguish that comes over people of color, but to also bring attention to the conformity that works as a callous to the insensitivity towards Black people – an entire community must move forward without proper healing or corrective resolve. The community instead orbits a plaguing realm that there is no true escape from.

In regards to the power that lies behind the message of the short film, Free said, “I really wanted that to be a big part of what the film represented. For Black people, it’s not something that you don’t already know– it’s supposed to represent to the world how we feel.”

The short offers insight to the affliction that people of color feel when news of injustice revisits their doorsteps. Two Distant Strangers is not just 28 minutes of submersion into an encounter between a white cop and a Black man. It’s also 28 minutes of narrative exploration and the humanizing of lives that often aren’t seen as valuable.

Touching on the supporting role of Perri (played by Zaria), Free likened Carter to many young men in the world-exploring love interest. However, Perri doesn’t just serve as a love interest. She also emulates a model reprensentation of the type of support that someone can provide in situations as these.

Free has been a writer for late-night television for over five years. He started his career doing stand-up comedy. His experience in tackling heavy topics while keeping the audience engaged resonates throughtout the short. The film follows a tragic cycle with pockets of comic relief to ease the weight of the subject matter.

Free’s depiction of police brutality is masterfully crafted, making a solid statement of the juxtaposition between people of color and law enforcement. Two Distant Strangers will live as a film presented to bring awareness to those who seek a better understanding of the injustices against black people. Through Free’s conviction, he created a conversation piece and a time capsule that can live as a reminder to never stop fighting for the much-needed change.

The credited cast of Two Distant Strangers includes rapper Joey Bada$$, Andrew Howard, and Zaria. The film is co-directed by Martin Desmond Roe with music by James Poyser.

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‘Unstoppable’ Starring Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez (Trailer)

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Unstoppable

Prime Video has released the trailer for “Unstoppable” starring Emmy award winner Jharrel Jerome (“When They See Us”) and Jennifer Lopez. The film, which is based on the inspiring true story about wrestling champion Anthony Robles is set hit select theaters Dec. 6 and will launch on the streamer on January 16, 2025.

“Unstoppable” official poster

“Unstoppable” tells the inspiring true story of Robles, a wrestler born with one leg who defies all odds to become a NCAA Division 1 champion. Jerome takes on the role of Robles, while Lopez plays the part of his mother, Judy Robles.

The film explores the challenges Robles faced growing up, including being born with one leg and facing rejection from his dream school, Iowa. However, with the support of his mother and his own determination, Robles rises to become a champion wrestler, ultimately winning a national championship against the school that rejected him.

The drama features an all-star ensemble cast including Jerome, Lopez, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, and Don Cheadle.

Robles himself can be spotted in the film and is credited as ‘Anthony Robles Double’, performing the complex wrestling moves and stunts. He is also a producer on the film.

On October 27, the “Unstoppable” cast as well as Anthony and Judy Robles attended the special screening of the film at AFI Fest special. You can see the pics below.

According to the press release, Jharrel Jerome trained for months and worked very closely with Anthony to establish the physicality and determination required for the role.

“Unstoppable” is produced by Artists Equity, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s production company.

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Idris Elba Plans A Move To Africa To “Bolster” Their Film Industry

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Idris Elba

Idris Elba made a major announcement that could very well shift the Global narrative lens to Africa. The British star is planning an intercontinental move!

Known for his commanding presence on screens worldwide, from the gritty streets of Baltimore in “The Wire” to the crime-ridden alleys of London in “Luther,” Elba is now turning his sights to a much grander stage – the entire African continent.

“Much of the imagery about Africa isn’t even generated from Africa,” Elba stated at the Stellar Development Foundation’s Meridian conference earlier this month. This simple yet profound observation underscores his mission to transform the film industry in Africa, aiming to give the continent’s young, dynamic population a platform to tell their own stories.

Idris Elba meets with President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo 

Elba’s initiative is not just about building studios; it’s about building an ecosystem where African narratives can thrive globally. He’s not just talking the talk; he’s walking the walk, literally, by planning to relocate to Africa within the next decade. “I would certainly consider settling down here; not even consider—it’s going to happen,” he affirmed to the BBC, showcasing his commitment to being on the ground, fostering this new era of African cinema.

The actor’s vision includes the establishment of film studios in Zanzibar, where the government has pledged nearly 200 acres for development. This move, Elba believes, could be “the first building block of a global entertainment hub.” His ambition doesn’t stop at construction; he’s tackling the financial backbone of the creative industry, too. By partnering with Stellar, a blockchain-based platform, Elba is introducing the Akuna Wallet, designed to streamline payments for local creatives, especially in economies with limited banking infrastructures. “It’s all been a puzzle,” Elba admits, referring to the logistical challenges, but he remains optimistic: “It will grow, and it can grow.”

Elba’s deep roots in Africa, with his mother hailing from Ghana and his father from Sierra Leone, lend authenticity and passion to his endeavor. “If you watch any film or anything that has got to do with Africa, all you’re going to see is trauma, how we were slaves, how we were colonized, how it’s just war, and when you come to Africa, you will realize that it’s not true,” he passionately explained. This sentiment is not just about correcting a narrative but about enriching global cinema with stories of resilience, culture, beauty, and innovation.

Idris Elba and wife Sabrina Dhowre in Rwanda

His involvement extends beyond infrastructure. Elba is set to star and executive produce a television adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic “Things Fall Apart,” signaling his intent to not only support but actively participate in the storytelling from the continent. This project alone underscores his belief in the power of African literature and its potential for adaptation into visual media, which could inspire a renaissance of African storytelling.

However, this grand vision comes with its challenges. The African film industry, while burgeoning, faces hurdles like inadequate infrastructure, limited access to finance, and a need for more local cinema spaces. Yet, Elba sees these not as barriers but as “opportunities in the waiting.” His strategy involves not just building but also fostering education, partnerships, and economic models that support sustainable growth in the creative sector.

As Idris Elba strides into this new chapter, his actions speak louder than his words. His commitment to Africa’s cinematic future isn’t just about adding another successful venture to his résumé; it’s about igniting a cultural revolution that could see African stories told by Africans, influencing global audiences in ways we can only begin to imagine. Here’s to hoping that Elba’s vision will indeed turn into reality, proving once again that the universe isn’t just full of stars but also of dreamers who dare to make those stars align.

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“One Of Them Days”: Keke Palmer and SZA’s R-Rated Comedy Drops First Trailer

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One of Them Days

“One of Them Days” is a hilarious buddy comedy set to premiere in theaters on January 24, 2025. Starring the dynamic duo Keke Palmer and SZA, the film promises a rollercoaster of laughter, mishaps, and the quintessential quest for rent money, all wrapped in the vibrant energy of Los Angeles.

Imagine waking up to discover your rent money has vanished, courtesy of a less-than-responsible boyfriend. This is where we find Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA), best friends whose day spirals into a series of comedic attempts to salvage their living situation.

"One Of Them Days" official poster starring Keke Palmer and SZA
“One Of Them Days” official poster starring Keke Palmer and SZA

The newly released trailer follows their day-long adventure filled with desperate, laugh-out-loud strategies, from donating blood to scaling utility poles for a pair of coveted Jordans. It’s a modern take on the ‘one crazy day’ trope, infused with the spirit of classic comedies but with a contemporary twist.

Palmer, known for her versatility across acting, singing, and hosting, brings her infectious energy and comedic timing to the role of Dreux. SZA, on the other hand, is making her acting debut with this pic, bringing her unique vibe to her character, Alyssa.

The film is helmed by Lawrence Lamont and written by Syreeta Singleton, both of whom previously collaborated with Rae on “Rap Sh!t.”

Watch the hilarious trailer below.

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