Private Project

Ursula (2023)

The children of a fallen screen star must settle their differences when their once famous mother is linked to a string of murders. Based on the 2013 Best Play Nominee “Ursula: A Dysfunction in Two Acts” at New York Theater Festival.

  • Kwame Berry
    Director
  • Peter Samuel
    Director
  • Kwame Berry
    Writer
  • Kwame Berry
    Producer
  • Kwame Berry
    Key Cast
    "Dominic Starlin"
  • Amber Walden
    Key Cast
    "Eddie Starlin"
  • Rashad Irvin
    Key Cast
    "Asher Starlin "
  • Tiffany Adams
    Key Cast
    "Ursula Starlin"
  • Kelsey Barnhart
    Key Cast
    "Seth"
  • Tiffany Clifton
    Key Cast
    "Queenie "
  • Nichollette Shorts
    Key Cast
    "May, the Film Historian"
  • LaVeda Davis
    Key Cast
    "Ms. Tate "
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    19 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    April 1, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • 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:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Kwame Berry, Peter Samuel

Kwamé , a native of Columbus, Ohio, has always had an affinity for creativity. Working mainly as an actor, he is also a graduate of the Acting for Film + Television Program at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. Writing seemed like the natural next step, beginning with his debut play "Ursula", a Best Play Nominee at the 2013 NYC Thespis Theater Festival. His debut film, the 2018 hybrid documentary "KAM" was selected in Harlem's Black Web Fest, won the Best Homegrown Filmmaker & Buckeye Choice Awards at Columbus Black International Film Festival and was awarded Best Cinematography at Miami's Urban Film Festival . His desires are to create and portray characters that both challenge and motivate him.

Peter Samuel is a multi-award-winning filmmaker based in New York City. His love for film was ignited at the age of 16, and since then, he has been dedicated to creating powerful visual experiences. Peter's projects often feature striking cinematography involving bold, saturated colors, and high-contrast lighting reflecting his passion for directors such as David Lynch, Takeshi Kitano, and Wong Kar-wai. His latest music video project, "When It All Goes Down," has screened at festivals worldwide and won multiple awards, including Best Music Video at Festigious Los Angeles. Peter remains committed to the art of filmmaking and is constantly striving to improve his skills and tell meaningful stories through his work.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

A labor of love, "Ursula" has been on a ten year path. I wrote it to combat the lack of variety that Black artists often face in the filmmaking and theatrical landscapes. The story, revolving around the broken children of a New York Blaxploitation actress; was first explored as a stage show in 2013's New York Theater Festival, where my team and I garnered the Best Play nomination. Myself and fellow alumni of The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts make up a majority of the cast and creative team, and for many years have attempted to adapt the show for the screen.

In 2019, we filmed our first iteration and unfortunately our footage was lost by the production company, and held up by the ever evolving circumstances of the pandemic the following year. When safety protocols were in place, I returned to co-direct with my collaborator, editor & DP Peter Samuel and alongside the cast, rebuilt the film into the worthy adaptation we've longed to experience. We are also heartened to have pecuniary support from Ohio's Greater Columbus Arts Council. Films such as "Psycho" and "Introducing Dorothy Dandridge" served as important inspiration. We shot on location in Harlem, and explored the themes of horror, show business, familial strife and otherness and are excited to share this vision with audiences.

My best,
Kwamé Berry