Filmmaker Statement

The greatness of Shakespeare is that he uses in media res to throw us right into his stories. However, sometimes the story before the story is just as interesting. Romeo & Juliet is one of my favorite plays and I enjoy every version I've encountered; yet, I always wondered what started the tension between the Montagues and Capulets. This is my opportunity to answer that question from a contemporary lens with people of color in leading roles - something I'd rarely see as a kid from Baltimore. Inspired by the gloomy darkness of Donnie Darko and the thrilling criminal underbelly of Killing Them Softly, the intention is to make this film a crime/psychological drama that will feature an ensemble POC cast. Shot completely at night, the film takes on a colorful, visceral aesthetic that's a love letter to Nicolas Winding Refn and the photography of Liam Wong.