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The Nights of Verona: A Romeo and Juliet Tale

A contemporary prequel to Romeo and Juliet that follows Mercutio's journey to broker an alliance between his family and the Capulets to weaken the Montagues' power. As Mercutio navigates Verona's criminal underworld, he is tormented by Queen Mab with visions of his imminent death.

Starring Jéan Elie (HBO's Insecure, ALKBLK's Send Help) and Antoinette Greene (HBO's We Own This City). Written and directed by Maxwell Michael Towson (Peacock's Dr. Death). Produced by LaTonya Joyce (MACRO's Really Love). Cinematography by Othello Banaci (HBO's 38 at the Garden). Music by Grammy-nominated composer-producer-songwriter Steve DuBerry. Edited by Ralph Jean-Pierre (HBO’s Tokyo Vice, AppleTV+’s Servant).

  • Maxwell Michael Towson
    Director
  • Maxwell Michael Towson
    Writer
    Dr. Death (Peacock), Fight Night (Peacock), Lowlife (IFC Midnight)
  • LaTonya Joyce
    Producer
    Really Love (MACRO)
  • Jéan Elie
    Key Cast
    Insecure (HBO), RapSh!t (HBO), Send Help (ALLBLK)
  • Antoinette Greene
    Key Cast
    We Own This City (HBO)
  • Ralph Jean-Pierre
    Editor
    Tokyo Vice (HBO), Servant (AppleTV+)
  • Othello Banaci
    Director of Photography
    38 at the Garden (HBO)
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Crime, Thriller, Drama, Psychological Drama
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 12 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 31, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Playhouse West Film Festival
    Los Angeles, California
    United States
    August 25, 2024
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • DC Shorts Film Festival
    District of Columbia
    United States
    September 8, 2024
    East Coast Premiere
    Showcase Winner
  • Prince George's Film Festival
    Largo, MD
    United States
    September 27, 2024
  • International Black Film Festival
    Nashville, Tennessee
    United States
    October 4, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Diamond State Black Film Festival
    Wilmington, DE
    United States
    October 11, 2024
    Best Short
Director Biography - Maxwell Michael Towson

Maxwell is a Baltimore native and J.J. Abrams apologist. His love for cinema led him to film school in Los Angeles at the American Film Institute Conservatory. After graduating, Maxwell teamed up with other graduate fellows to create the comedy troupe Tomm Fondle. The troupe made branded content for All Def Digital, Funny or Die, Youtube's Official Comedy, and IFC Midnight's feature film, “Lowlife".

Maxwell wrote on the Peacock/NBCUniversal’s award-nominated series "Dr. Death" and was the writer-director of "The Nights of Verona: A Romeo and Juliet Tale", which won its showcase at the 2024 DC Shorts Film Festival.

Most recently, he was a Story Editor on Peacock’s limited series,
"Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist", produced by Will Packer Productions and Hartbeat Productions.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The greatness of Shakespeare is that he uses in media res to throw us right into his stories. However, sometimes the story before the story is just as interesting. Romeo & Juliet is one of my favorite plays and I enjoy every version I've encountered; yet, I always wondered what started the tension between the Montagues and Capulets. This is my opportunity to answer that question from a contemporary lens with people of color in leading roles - something I'd rarely see as a kid from Baltimore.

Inspired by the gloomy darkness of Donnie Darko and the thrilling criminal underbelly of Killing Them Softly, the intention is to make this film a crime/psychological drama that will feature an ensemble POC cast.

Shot completely at night, the film takes on a colorful, visceral aesthetic that's a love letter to Nicolas Winding Refn and the photography of Liam Wong.