Private Project

Day 74

"Day 74" tells the story of a couple during the early days of Covid. One is a first responder nurse completely overwhelmed by the pandemic and the other a documentarian going stir crazy at home. And the one day that changed everything for them.

This film was made from this past summer’s virtual NPF Summer Film Program to tell the stories of the Black COVID experience and in memoriam of George Floyd’s tragic death, one year later.

This covid-response film was completely safe and within covid restrictions. Rising to come together and tell their story.

  • Starr Rivers
    Director
  • Starr Rivers
    Writer
  • Michelle Mitchenor
    Key Cast
    "Mae"
  • Mustafa Speaks
    Key Cast
    "Darius"
  • James Bland
    Director of Photography
    Giants
  • Tracy 'Twinkie' Byrd
    Casting Director
    Notorious, Fruitvale Station , American Skin
  • Miah Harris
    Producer
  • James Hadgis
    Producer
    HBCU Storytellers: Confederate Monuments- Heritage or Hatred
  • Brian Favors
    Producer
    HBCU Storytellers: Confederate Monuments- Heritage or Hatred?
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    17 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 15, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Pan African Film Festival 2021
    Los Angeles
    United States
    March 4, 2021
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Starr Rivers

Starr Rivers a first-time writer and director of the film "Day 74". Her purpose is to curate narratives and embody characters that humanize and empower the Black Diaspora, further building community, joy, and love.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This story came to fruition at the height of a time unprecedented for nearly everyone living on this Earth. COVID-19 was at its apex in the U.S. & the world had just witnessed another death of a black man at the hands of police. I was in a creative rut and emotionally drained, but working with mentors and peers of the Nate Parker Foundation was an opportunity to release and recharge. And alas, Day 74 was birthed.

It didn’t start as a story about a couple, but more about the two individuals and their own specific experiences. I wanted to highlight real experiences from black Americans during the pandemic. So, Mae is a healthcare worker. Darius is a documentary filmmaker and artist. I wanted to explore these identities through several questions: How does a black frontline worker feel in May 2020? How does a black artist feel when his projects are put on hold and he can’t provide financially for his household ? What happens when this couple has to deal with stay-at-home orders and social distancing? How do they deal with each counting day of quarantine, including Day #74– the day George Floyd is murdered and rocks the entire nation, setting off civil unrest?

As humans, we all deal with trauma differently— but what happens when you’re stuck in four walls with one person and everything seems out of your control?

My hope is that Day 74 amplifies other authentic black experiences that are usually unaccounted for or misinterpreted.