Experiencing Interruptions?

Us Against Them

Samuel Taft is black police officer with the Philadelphia Police Department. He’s an officer that bleeds blue but is also conflicted with the violence cops throughout the nation are perpetuating on African Americans. Samuel believes in the importance of his job, but hates the fact that officers commit these injustices and are never charged or even prosecuted. Samuel’s twin brother, Howard Taft, quit the police force for many of the same reasons. His nephew, Smith Taft, is very progressive and often reminds Samuel of the double life he seems to be living. Samuel must come to terms with the career he’s chosen and everything that comes with it or try and fight back against the system for his people. Ultimately, he must choose which side he’s truly on.

  • Ronnel Ricardo Parham
    Director
    The Brothers, Odd Man Out: The Series, What's To Come
  • Ronnel Ricardo Parham
    Writer
    The Brothers, Odd Man Out: The Series
  • Troy Parham
    Writer
    Paterson
  • Ronnel Ricardo Parham
    Producer
    Class Act, Odd Man Out: The Series, The Brothers
  • Trevor Parham
    Producer
    Paterson
  • Troy Parham
    Producer
    Paterson
  • Troy Parham
    Key Cast
    "Samuel Taft"
  • Ronnel Ricardo Parham
    Key Cast
    "Smith Taft"
  • Trevor Parham
    Key Cast
    "Howard Taft "
  • Andrew L. Gardner
    Key Cast
    "Man on Street "
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Social Justice
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 1 second
  • Completion Date:
    January 6, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    10,350 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 - Ronnel Ricardo Parham

Ronnel Ricardo Parham is a multi award-winning creator, writer, producer and actor. Ronnel has been making films since 2017, when he formed his production company, 5R Productions. Since its inception, 5R Productions has created short films, web-series’, and TV movies that have won over 40 awards nationally and internationally. After a few years of writing and producing projects, Ronnel thought it’d only make sense to venture into the directing world. In 2020, Ronnel directed his first short film entitled “Us Against Them.” The film, inspired by a true story, tells the story of a black cop who’s torn between the injustices he sees on his own police force and his duty to protect all people, but especially his own people in the African American communities. Ronnel is from Philadelphia, PA where he got somewhat of a late start into the entertainment business. Ronnel started acting in college and from there, figured out his other passions in the industry which now include directing. Ronnel believes firmly that the stories he’s told and will continue to tell through cinema will help change the lives and inspire many people.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

This film will dive straight into an extremely touchy issue facing our nation right now—police violence against African Americans and the injustices African Americans face from police. Instead of telling a story of black people vs police (blue), this story will be told in an introspective way from a current police officer who sees and lives both sides of the experience. The officer, Samuel Taft, will explain his everyday experiences on the force. He’s suffering through his inability to connect with his colleagues but maybe more importantly, his ever-so decreasing connection with his own people and the community he was raised in.