Mickey Hardaway wraps up its film festival run with a west coast premiere at Dances With Films on June 29th. The film, released digitally by Indie Rights on August 25th, anchors on a young sketch artist Mickey (Rashad Hunter) who agrees to an in-house therapy session with a well-renowned psychiatrist. This could not have come at a better time, as his life begins to spiral out of control after years of physical and verbal abuse. The film, proficiently written and directed by Cox, and co-produced with Eric Quincy, draws you into a very multi-layered storyline, cleverly addressing pertinent subjects and themes such as fatherhood, the exploitation of artists, alcoholism, mental well-being, the provision of healthcare in America, and Black Lives Matter.
There are some scenes where the delivery of dialog seems delayed or even unnecessary, but the cast, including Stephen Cofield, David Chattam, and Kimberly Christian, exhibit strong and memorable performances. Filmed in black and white, Jamil Gooding’s cinematography amplifies the alluring experience, intimacy, and sensitivity of Cox’s direction. And, whilst the subject matter is subdued, there’s vivacity in its visual production. One may see likenesses to films by celebrated directors such as John Singleton, Barry Jenkins, and Spike Lee, with bigger budgets. Cox successfully creates his indelible mark, creating believable characters you care about, and leaving you to wonder what he’ll produce next. This is a powerful, thought-provoking drama by a talented filmmaker who delivers entertainment whilst making you think about society, and how the highlighted issues are answered.
Look out for our interview with Marcellus Cox later this week!
David Emmanuel Noel is an avid blogger, film fanatic, art enthusiast, music lover, and theatergoer. He is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and PR consultant who has been involved in several music events and visual art exhibitions at venues such as the Kennedy Center Washington DC, Bernie Grant Arts Centre London, the Landmark Arts Building New York, and Whole 9 Gallery in Culver City, California. He has worked closely with institutes, professional bodies, and agencies such as the Royal Institute of British Architects, New York Mayor’s Office, CAMBA- the New York-based agency, the NSPCC, and several London Boroughs on projects supporting the environmental and therapeutic benefits of the arts. He is based in London and New York.
