A man questions his notion of a safe place, then confronts disturbing beings that appear in his home.

Interview with Writer/Producer/Director/Editor Corey Emanuel Jr.

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

This film was rendered from tough years of relational loss and what felt like a never-ending struggle of letting go. Navigating grief amidst reliving personal trauma felt overbearing, so much so, that I decided to confront it all with a fun thrilling story. I needed to make a film that featured someone who looks like me going through and overcoming intimate obstacles to serve as a reminder that moving forward with love is always an option. This film has been a therapeutic start to healing and becoming.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Above all, this film emphasizes the power of forgiveness. Our life journeys are dynamic and require perseverance especially when healing along the way. Letting go is a detrimental struggle being we tend to hold our grudges and ill feelings superior to our desires of being healed, but that trauma is what stands in the way of our peace. Love is what can bring us true bliss, it is a choice to seek happiness in the trials and tribulations of companionship, and forgiveness is love in its final form.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Struggle is what reminds us how despite our various ethnicities, cultures, religions, etc. we are intimately interconnected. The pain of trauma, especially if suffering since childhood, isn’t your fault, but healing is your responsibility. Growth is the realization that moving forward with love will always be an option. During the making of this film, several cast and crew, including myself, took the initiative to mend broken relationships with loved ones.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The use of genre film was set when the film was initially conceived, however, I shied away from being too vulnerable in earlier drafts. I wanted to allude to my personal trauma but was afraid that delving in too deep would drag me further into the dark place I was fleeing. But in an attempt to confront my fears, and solidify my voice, I stayed true to the narrative and have found it immensely rewarding. This began as a script I simply wanted to get made and became a film I vitally needed to see.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It has been incredible. We sent a cold submission with no connections to the American Black Film Festival and were one of fifteen picked amidst thousands of submissions. It is an honor to have our World Premiere there in June, and for it to be followed by a premiere at the Academy Award-qualifying Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in August is surreal. We are excited to see how our festival run pans out, and elated to continue hearing how audiences react to the film.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It was a shocker being the film is personal to me. To amplify my voice as a storyteller, I put the want of being liked aside and stayed true to myself. To see that authenticity translates to festivals and audiences loving the film is heartwarming and inspiring. It has given me a newfound confidence in filmmaking, and I aim to continue to craft fun stories that remain unapologetically genuine.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

The essential point of this film was to encourage and enlighten people on using forgiveness as a way to move forward. The more eyes we get on this film, the more people will realize their situations aren’t singular, and hopefully, it will inspire them to keep on loving in their life journeys.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We would love to have producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, or journalists to help get this film in front of as many people as possible. We feel this is the authentic motivational story that people need to see, and it can serve as an active start to healing for many.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I would love for people to feel inspired and motivated to persevere through struggle. And for them to mend whatever broken relationships they have with friends or family.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Do you actually want to heal from your past trauma? And if so, what extent are you willing to go to get your peace back?

Would you like to add anything else?

Keep on keeping on.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Corey Emanuel Jr. is currently in pre-production for his upcoming film Death in Her Arms, a proof of concept short film for a feature script by the same name. The film follows two brothers, who after discovering their family's convicted murderer is innocent, develop a pneumatic tool to interrogate the living and dead to track the person responsible.

Interview: June 2024

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Haven

A man questions his notion of a safe place, then confronts disturbing beings that appear in his home.

Length: 10:06

Director: Corey Emanuel Jr.

Producer: Corey Emanuel Jr.

Writer: Corey Emanuel Jr.

About the writer, director and producer:

COREY EMANUEL JR. is an award-winning Guyanese-American filmmaker and New Jersey native. His work delves into relationship dynamics and familial issues through distinctive genre films highlighting people of color. Corey’s short film Haven is a drama/thriller that examines the dangers of trust and how adults can be blind to adolescent trauma. The film is currently set to have its world premiere at the American Black Film Festival this June.

Key cast: Andre De'Sean Shanks, Kingston Zelaya, Dominique McClellan, Shellita Boxie

Looking for: producers, distributors

Instagram: @coreyemanueljr

Website: Corey Emanuel Jr.

Other: IMDb

Funders: Self-Funded

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

American Black Film Festival/Miami Beach, FL - June 13th
Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival/Martha's Vineyard, MA - TBD