other
In the wake of tragedy and racial tension in Charlottesville, one black woman must find a way to navigate her life as the rest of the world seems unaffected. As a black woman, mother, and wife, she must face unconcerned neighbors, unaware colleagues, and clueless strangers who make containing her hurt, rage, and sorrow almost unbearable. A chance meeting with a barista offers her only respite.
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Nominated Best Narrative Short - Terminus Film Festival
Official Selection - 2018 Bronzelens Film Festival
Official Selection - 25th Pan African Film Festival
Official Selection - 2018 San Diego Black Film Festival
Official Selection - 2018 New Voices in Black Cinema
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Xavier BurginDirectorOlde E, On Time
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Vanessa Baden KellyWriterGiants, Fail
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James BlandProducerGiants
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Vanessa Baden KellyProducerGiants
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RJ KellyProducer
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Takara JosephProducerGiants
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Chad JohnsonProducer
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Vanessa Baden KellyKey Cast
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RJ KellyKey Cast
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Ryder KellyKey Cast
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Carissa KostaKey Cast
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Kaylee BardinKey Cast
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Chris HyancintheKey Cast
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Edward VoccolaKey Cast
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Jed Rapp GoldsteinKey Cast
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Melissa UgasKey Cast
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Mansa WakiliKey Cast
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Jacob Gray1st AD
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Phillip TaSound
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Mansa WakiliOriginal Music
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Erial TompkinsEditor
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Project Type:Short
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Genres:Drama, Comedy, African American films, social issues
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Runtime:6 minutes 19 seconds
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Completion Date:December 31, 2017
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Production Budget:5,000 USD
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Aspect Ratio:16:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Bronzelens Film FestivalAtlanta
United States
Southeastern
Official Selection -
Terminus Film Festival
United States
Nominated Best Narrative Short -
New Voices In Black CinemaNew York
United States
May 16, 2018
New York
Official Selection
Xavier Burgin is an Emmy-nominated writer/director from USC's School of Cinematic Arts. He’s the Director of Shudder’s first original documentary, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror. He’s a Sundance Fellow, HBO alumni, Ryan Murphy Half Fest alum, semi-finalist for The Student Academy Awards, and a director for the Emmy nominated series, Giants. A goofball at heart, he's amassed a 70,000+ following on social media via comedy, storytelling, and social commentary.
other is a portrayal of the American cultural zeitgeist surrounding the psyche and morale of the black mind and body. Black Americans face assault from government sanctioned violence and white supremacist zealots daily. We read, hear, and view a never-ending cycle of tragedy, sorrow, and death upon our bodies. Oftentimes, this barrage of cataclysm manifests into a heavy, silent weight we carry. We articulate this burden with other individuals of the African Diaspora.
But what of the white friend, love interest, colleague, or acquaintance who constantly pervades our personage? What of the situation where said individual wades into opinion on the dehumanization and slaughter of the black body? Too often, the black man and woman must settle into facade, where we smile, converse, or listen to our dehumanization.
But what of the opposite? When the white individual understands the superficial outskirts of our struggle? Their limited knowledge apprehends some manner of distress tormenting the black psyche. They ask.
"Are you ok?"
"This must be so hard for you."
"I can't believe this is happening in America."
Still, what of the individual oblivious to the suffering of those black and brown?
What of the individual who witnesses our ordeal, yet chooses to double down in their addiction to white supremacy as they engage us? No matter which individual we face, the black man and woman must hold our tongue while snarling the unpleasant truth in our mind.
We are dying. Why aren't you doing more? How can you say that when this is happening? Do you even truly care?
This is other. The honest, relentless, and unfiltered stream of consciousness we repeatedly employ in times of distress, aggravation, or disbelief at America's systemic racism. other is when we must smile as the world burns around us. other is the unbridled rage we check, when those who contribute to our collapse feign care.
other is who reminds us of inequality. other is who reminds us of injustice. other is who reminds us of disparity.
And other...is how we cope.