Film festivals are such fertile ground for artistic interpretation for a multitude of reasons, but the use of artistic mediums to engage in socially conscious discussion is one of our favorites. Every year, the Urbanworld Film Festival is filled with so many interview opportunities that it is difficult to post it all. However, we came across a short film titled The Cycle that we felt needed to get as much coverage as possible. Even if that means publishing our content weeks after the festival has ended.
I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with actors Ade Otukoya (Jacob Moore) and Kaili Y. Turner (Rose) about what it was like to make a film that is so much relevance in the wake of so many deaths by unarmed, innocent individuals at the hands of individuals sworn to protect and serve the populous.I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with actors Ade Otukoya (Jacob Moore) and Kaili Y. Turner (Rose) about what it was like to make a film that is so much relevance in the wake of so many deaths by unarmed, innocent individuals at the hands of individuals sworn to protect and serve the populous.
Directed by Michael Marantz, co-written by Justin Salerian and Michael Marantz, The Cycle tells the riveting story of a young Black boy who sees his friend shot dead by the police over a misunderstanding and vows that he would grow up to become a police officer to prevent these types of misunderstandings from happening in the future. And he does grow up to become a police officer, making it all the way up to the rank of Detective. However, he soon learns that things are never as simply as good and evil when youre a Black man of any social standing in the United States.
We are talking about the cycle. We are talking about things that happen in the past that keep on happening and why they keep on happening, says director Michael Marantz told Vibe. For me a huge part of that is this emotion and this feeling of fear and what fear compels people to do.
The film, co-executive produced by Sway Calloway and Kelly Jackson, is intended to spark the conversation and understanding between the Black community and local municipal police departments and is available via free download at thecyclefilm.com.
For more information on The Cycle log on to www.thecyclefilm.com for information on how to see the film for free. The creators want you (Yes, you!) to be the spark of a conversation that could change someone’s mind and thaw a cold-heart.For more information on The Cycle log on to www.thecyclefilm.com for information on how to see the film for free. The creators want you (Yes, you!) to be the spark of a conversation that could change someone’s mind and thaw a cold-heart.