Private Project

Sambo

To some, February 13th is a day of unrivaled bravery and glory; but for those who seized the Allen Building to force Duke University to respond to the needs of its Black students, it quickly turns into a nightmare as the looming threat of police intervention and rising tensions within the group test their resolve.

  • Bruklyn Miller
    Writer
    Celestial
  • Ronald Baez
    Executive Producer
  • Bruklyn Miller Miller
    Executive Producer
  • Bruklyn
    Director
    Celestial
  • Kevin Ondarza
    Producer
  • Bruklyn Miller
    Producer
    Celestial
  • Jeffrey Creightney
    Key Cast
    "Theo "
  • George King
    Key Cast
    "Reggie"
  • Nadia Adelay
    Key Cast
    "Millie"
  • Keon Gaynor
    Key Cast
    "Chuck"
  • Kevin Berriz
    Director of Photography
  • Florencia Portieri
    Assistant Camera
  • Pierre St. Jean
    Gaffer
    Celestial
  • Hans Lau
    Production Designer
  • Genesis Williamson
    Costume and Makeup
  • Dan Abruski
    Sound Mixer
  • Luis Perales
    Boom Operator
  • Nathan Ouellette
    Color Correction
    Celestial
  • Nathan Ouellette
    Sound Design
    Celestial
  • Bruklyn Miller
    Editor
  • Anthony Soto
    Original Music
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 51 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 5, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    BlackMagic
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Charlotte Black Film Festival
    Charlotte, North Carolina
    United States
    July 8, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Bruklyn

Ursula Le Guin’s declaration, “It is up to authors to spark the imagination of their readers and help them envision alternatives to how we live,” serves as a guiding philosophy for award-winning writer, director, and photographer Bruklyn Miller. Her work centers on stories about the Black and Queer community, aiming to inspire collective liberation. Drawing from Black history, Black literature, and social justice frameworks, Bruklyn breathes life into the African American experience by imagining new worlds that challenge societal norms and envision new possibilities. Through her images, she weaves narratives where myth, magic, and superstition seamlessly intertwine with the ordinary, encapsulating her artistic mission — to invite her audience to reevaluate their perceptions, values, and moral boundaries.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The Allen Building Takeover at Duke University on February 13, 1969, stands as a testament to the courage and conviction of Black students fighting for justice. This film delves into the complexities of that moment, the intense emotions present, the ideological conflicts, and the relentless pursuit of equity that defined the takeover.

The film aims to shed light on the differing opinions and strategies that have historically shaped the struggle for social justice, revealing the nuanced and often contentious debate that drive movements forward. The characters in this film embody the spectrum of Black activism, from defiance to diplomacy, illustrating the internal and external pressures that test their resolve.

By making the time period ambiguous, this film becomes more than just a historical recount but a dialogue with the present. It invites the audience to engage with the complexities of activism and the continuous relevance of these debates in today’s fight against social injustice.

While the paths may differ, the ultimate goal remains the same: a world where equity and justice prevail for all.