I have and I'm excited to tell you about it. Hopefully, I can do that without spoiling it by giving away too much because I want you to see it for yourself. It's a keeper. Before I get to the movie, let me explain to you why I'm excited. Walk with me for a moment.
You take a trip to your local video rental store and browse the isles and isles of available videos and a straight-to-DVD movie is just begging to be rented -- the cover catches your eye, you flip it over to read the synopsis and it sounds intriguing, so you just know that this one is the reason you got in your car, traveled to the store, willingly handed over your money and you're even more willing to spend your time watching. This is it... until you pop that sucker in and five minutes later you're ejecting it because it's so stupid you can't take another second of it. Yeah, you know what I'm talking about. Stay with me a little while longer 'cause I've got something for that.
Everyday Black Man. Bam! Okay, okay. The first time I saw the title, I said, "What?", too. People, believe me when I tell you, I was so glad that I took a chance on this movie. I was actually proud of myself for choosing a really good straight-to-DVD movie. I was beginning to think that they no longer existed.
The three main characters have stories that are familiar but have a twist that keeps it interesting throughout the film. Claire (Tessa Thompson) is a student trying to find her way after the grandmother who raised her passes away. Moses (Henry Brown) is a family friend who owns a small neighborhood store. He has always looked out for Claire and her grandmother. Malik (Omari Hardwick) is the dynamic and inspiring leader of a small mosque. He is also a businessman who seeks to partner with Moses and help him to expand his store. When Malik meets Claire, the chemistry between them is almost ignitable even though he plays it smooth. By the time there are chinks in the armor of respectability Malik has cloaked himself in, Claire and Moses are both beyond the point return.
Everyday Black Man speaks to several societal ills at once -- children growing up without fathers to protect and guide them, the stereotypical black man who shuns his responsibility as a father, drugs ravaging the lives of the users and all those around them, greed, lies, and false pretenses. It causes you to feel every emotion and leaves you wanting more.
I found myself so invested in the characters that I wanted to know how the survivors picked up the pieces after everything fell apart. I was certain that there must be a sequel in the works. So, I set out to find the extraordinary woman responsible for the movie that restored my faith in the quality of films that never make it to the theaters. The word extraordinary is used because she wore numerous hats in order to see her project come to life.
Carmen Madden wrote, produced, directed and performed other duties as well. And, yes, I found her on Twitter and posed my question about the possibility of part two. Prior to contacting her, I had already decided to write an article about Everyday Black Man to post here so I decided to ask her if she'd be willing to answer some questions for me. she agreed. You can read the questions and her responses below.
Everyday Black Man is an impressive debut film that Carmen Madden should be proud to have completed. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. And by all means, if you have a young, impressionable daughter (read: teenager), get the movie and watch it with her and discuss the lessons to be had afterwards.
As always, be blessed!!
Carmen Madden / Everyday Black Man Interview
Q: When did you realize that you were a storyteller and that you wanted to share that gift with the world through movies?
A: I have always thought of myself as a writer more so than a filmmaker. I've known that I wanted to write since I was a kid but I didn't start to pursue it until I was 19. That's when I sat down and wrote my first book.
Q: How did you prepare yourself for becoming a screenwriter and movie producer?
A: I don't know if there is a special preparation for being a screenwriter and a movie producer. I certainly hadn't planned on the producing part. As a writer, I had been writing plays and novels but I think the playwriting which eventually led to screenwriting was easier for me and it was quick- and when you are busy and doing a lot of things- novels are hard. However, I am working on a novel now. It really just depends on the story. What's the best way to tell the story is always the question and then you go from there. As far as a movie producer- well, if you want to get your film made then you become the producer. No training really- just desire is needed and taking steps to get it done. Dreaming is nice but it won't get you anywhere. You actually have to do something.
Q: Do you find that it’s still difficult for women to establish themselves in Hollywood and become successful and respected?
A: It's extremely difficult for women to establish themselves in Hollywood especially black women. The directors field is pretty much all male and the hierarchy is ridiculous, and youth is highly praised- so yes, it's difficult especially when you don't fit the young, white, and male model.
Q: The antagonist is a Black Muslim. Were you worried about backlash from the Muslim community given the types of activities he was involved in?
A: The funny thing about Malik is that he is not a Black Muslim. He is pretending to be a Black Muslim- just like there are a lot of baptist preachers pretending to be baptist preachers- and you don't find out they are pretending until they run off with all the money- so no, I really wasn't that worried about it. Malik was a drug guy pretending to be a Black Muslim. I even put a line in the film towards the end where Malik and Yusef use their real names and Yusef says that they are not Muslims and what his brother says that being a muslim is.
Q: Did any Black men who are fathers reach out to you share their views, positive or negative, on how the portrayal of the father impacted the already poor image people tend to hold about Black fathers?
A: In regards to the father issue- no- no one shared their views. As a single mother- I have plenty but I've known men that have not raised their child and it is always a major regret in their life. I don't think of it as negative but a real regret- a real loss chance, and if anything I was making a call that men should be involved with their kids so that they don't regret or miss out on some real learning and loving.
Q: It seemed as though you were speaking directly to young ladies to impart a little wisdom on several issues. If that assumption is correct, what lessons would you like for them to learn from the movie?
A: As far as the message for the women especially young ladies, well, I was young once and I know how we like our good looking men who most of the time have a lot of charm but no substance and we are really susceptible when we are young. Smooth talkers are as accessible as liquor stores so we do have to be careful, and if there is a message for them- maybe it is that- be careful and to remember that people are not always what they seem.
Q: Usually, young women are drawn in by a man who is flashing cash, rolling in an expensive car; he’s all blinged out or something of that nature. You chose a completely different type of character. He was conservative, well-spoken and caught her attention with a sweet potato pie. What made you take that approach?
A: You know, I think of Malik as a very smooth talker. I don't think he's all that different- he just looks a little different and says the right things but he doesn't really follow through with them. He's a danger but the real problem is that he's a fantasy.And he knows it. I have to say though- that it was Omari who really brought Malik to life this way so that he seemed something other than what he is- not me. I had him at more the smooth talker but Omari made him more complicated and I love it. It was the right move. I don't know how to warn young women about men playing with their feelings though- I really don't. We are all susceptible to that.
Q: The story has a good ending but it leaves one wanting to see more of the characters and what becomes of them after the tragedy. Will there be a sequel?
A: In my mind there will not be a sequel. But you never know. I've got a fighter film that I'm trying to make now, and then a mob film so we will see if the sequel happens. I guess it depends on the story and how it comes to me.
Q: You wore so many hats in the process of bring this movie to life. You wrote and produced. What were some of the other roles you took on to make it happen?
A: In addition to my writing, producing, and directing, I also was casting director and anything else that I had to be. My Assistant Director Josh Hoover and my Unit Production Manager, Karen Dea also wore a variety of hats as well and we were all location scouts. The lines/roles were quite blurred for this film.
Q: You decided to give back by teaching a film class, which is so commendable. How can those interested in participating in the class find more information on that? Will the class be available on DVD for those who cannot attend?
A: Well, I hadn't planned on putting my class on DVD but that is a great idea and I thank you Sunida for it. I am an English Professor so teaching comes pretty easy for me although I don't often get a chance to teach film unless it's on my own. I have a website
CLM Productions and soon carmenmadden.com will be up and it will post classes and of course DVD's for those that cannot attend. So keep checking those sites. Everyday Black Man also has a
face book page so you can find information there.
Q: What would you like your fans to know about you that they probably don’t know already?
A: I have no idea what my fans would like to know about me- but I just finished an early draft of a book on women finding their purpose and am also working on a detective novel. In terms of film- as I mentioned before I'm working on my next film
Shadow Fight about an ex-fighter- totally fiction. I'm very excited about this film but it's a bigger budget so we will see what happens.
For more information on Carmen Madden or
Everyday Black Man, please visit
everydayblackman.com,
clmproductions.com. Purchase
Everyday Black Man at
Amazon,
itunes,
Netflix,
Best Buy,
Walmart and at
E One Entertainment.
