Experiencing Interruptions?

Can I Askew a Question?

This film follows a young African American man's personal experience with child abandonment, and simultaneously encourages discourse regarding various forms of abandonment within African American families, with the hopes of destroying one’s secrets and birthing one’s freedom. By chronicling this man's real-life struggles—paired with expert-led interviews—the film highlights a lack of communication and emotional support within Black families, religious groups, and communities at-large. "Can I Askew a Question?" also explores ways to support mental health and socioeconomic development.

  • Marlee Archer
    Director
    Capacity
  • James C. Durrah II
    Director
  • James C. Durrah II
    Writer
  • James C. Durrah II
    Producer
  • Marlee Archer
    Producer
    Capacity
  • James C. Durrah II
    Key Cast
  • Marlee Archer
    Key Cast
    Capacity
  • Laurens G. Van Sluytman
    Key Cast
  • Erin Jones
    Key Cast
  • Laryssa Creswell
    Key Cast
  • Kevin A. Johnson
    Key Cast
  • Xavier Coombs
    Key Cast
  • William Clay
    Key Cast
  • Matthew Vialva
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Feature
  • Genres:
    Documentary, Social Commentary, Sociology, Mental Health Awareness, LGBTQ+
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 27 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 31, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • New Wave Short Film Festival
    Munich
    Germany
    August 1, 2021
    European Premiere
    Best LGBT Film
  • Tokyo International Short Film Festival
    Tokyo
    Japan
    August 1, 2021
    Asian Premiere
    Best Director
  • Rome Movie Awards
    Rome
    Italy
    August 10, 2021
    Italy Premiere
    Best Original Score
  • New York Neorealism Film Awards
    New York, NY
    United States
    August 10, 2021
    Best Original Screenplay
  • Tylerman Film Festival
    Wheaton, IL
    United States
    August 28, 2021
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • New York Tri-State International Film Festival
    New York, NY
    United States
    September 7, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Peachtree Village International Film Festival
    Atlanta, GA
    United States
    October 21, 2021
    Georgia Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Andromeda Film Festival
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    September 30, 2021
    Best Documentary
  • The North Film Festival
    Stockholm
    Sweden
    February 24, 2022
    Official Selection
  • The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts
    Washington, DC
    United States
    November 17, 2021
    Washington, DC Premiere
Director Biography - Marlee Archer, James C. Durrah II

MARLEE ARCHER:

Marlee is an independent filmmaker, director and cinematographer who is intrigued by underrepresented communities and identities, and the channels these demographics use to survive and heal despite circumstance. She has recently created her first financed short film, which premiered for and on Open Television. She is also co-director and executive producer of the feature-length documentary, “Can I Askew a Question?”

JAMES C. DURRAH II:

James is a communications and media executive with more than 12 years of experience as a strategist in both corporate and nonprofit spaces. He received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in broadcast journalism and new media journalism from Howard University and Full Sail University respectively. James' career in communications and journalism sparked a love for film production from the start, as his passion for telling intriguing stories has also been at the nucleus of his success. After having produced an array of short films as a member of the Digital Reveries Media production duo, The Digital Switch, James makes his directorial debut with the feature-length documentary film "Can I Askew a Question" alongside Marlee Archer.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The purpose of this film is to encourage a more open, and extensive dialogue within Black American families regarding trauma that comes from various forms of abandonment and familial challenges. We sincerely hope that the transparency and authenticity provided within this film around James' personal story and expert commentary will inspire every viewer to intentionally dismantle the secrets within their own lives and birth their own mental and spiritual freedom.