Director:Rod Gailes OBC
Writer: Rod Gailes OBC
Cast: Damion Omar Lee, Angela Lewis, Madeleine Dauzart, and introducing Aaron Clifton Moten
Marcus (Lee) is a conflicted college student. Among peers he is the confident alpha male, in one moment charming and amiable in the next stern and authoritative. In his home life he is ruled by his overzealous mother who uses religion as a means to control his life. As an ultimate act of defiance, Marcus leaves his home against mother’s wishes and partaking in a sensual ritual not unlike the sacrifice of a virgin. Though barely 30 minutes long this short film grips you from the very start. It begins with a bizarre bathing scene and erupts into a sensual play of shadows and light. A good short keeps you entertained, a great short leaves you wanting more. This film is definitely of the latter variety; as the ending though well done leaves you wanting to know more and dig deeper into the complex characters. It leaves you begging for answers to the questions posed by the silent exchanges and brevity. Dialogue is secondary in this motion picture, the actors gestures and expressions lure you into their world from the start.
The very first showing of his short took place at the Tisch Theatre as part of the reward for winning Shadow and Act’s 2nd Annual Black Filmmakers Script Challenge. Bloggers enthusiasts and well wishers gathered at the private NYU screening room for the opportunity to not only view the film but engage in a Q&A session moderated by Ralph Scott. The film is not only a masterful stand alone piece, it is also a companion film to director Rod Gailes’ , soon to be released, “Reverse Cowgirl”. Festival fans my remember Gailes from his earlier works “Twin Cousins” and this summer’s hit “Earl’s Post Prison Play Date”.
To view the one week only release of Soft Focus visit:(https://vimeo.com/51408119) or see it below.
