Jasmine Guy Directs Featurette American Leopard
JASMINE GUY DIRECTS FEATURETTE “AMERICAN LEOPARD”
Based on a real experience, the film examines uncomfortable conversations about race.
(Atlanta, GA) “American Leopard” is a short-feature film directed by veteran actress, singer, and dancer Jasmine Guy. Rising to fame as Whitley Gilbert in the hit TV series A Different World (1987 - 1993), Jasmine brought a variety of creative talents, decades of experience, and great creative vision to this socially-conscious work.
In the film, a casual conversation leads to a confrontation between Angela—played by Tonia Jackson (Outer Banks, Greenleaf) and Ted—played by Hal Whiteside (Baby Driver, Black Lightning)—over race. Andrea Frye (Queen Sugar, Law and Order SVU)—as their neighbor Ruby—attempts to bring balance to the discussion, but soon discovers that changing deep-seated views is not easy.
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Actor Hal Whiteside gets into character before a scene. |
Adam LeBow, the film's writer, shared the inspiration behind the film. "American Leopard" is based on a real experience of mine. A rather ordinary thing, perhaps—an ill-advised comment in mixed company—and something that probably happens everywhere, every day. But I remember it because I did not respond. Years later I wondered what would have happened if the comment had been uttered not in my presence, but in that of someone who could not—or would not—stay silent. That became the kernel of the story, one in which I attempted, in a small way, to look at how we hurt each other, and how we heal.
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| Director Jasmine Guy (Left) and Screenwriter Adam LeBow (Right) discuss the scene between takes. |
Jasmine Guy was very intentional about drawing on Atlanta’s rich talent pool—“I am happy to be working in Atlanta with Atlanta talent;” and about the kind of film she wanted “American Leopard” to be—“Our work here resonates because it is political; it is personal and it is honest.” To that end, Ms. Guy included an expressionistic dance number performed by actor-dancer Jazzë Lewis that seizes upon the emotional momentum of the movie. The dance is laid against the swoon of “Here,” a song written and sung by Atlanta-based soul singer Ten.
Jackson, Whiteside, and Frye—who each
bring very nuanced, yet powerful performances—are supported by
co-stars Samantha Worthen, Jazzë Lewis, and Darryl
Dillard. The film also marks the film debut of a young up-and-comer, Jomar Crawford, as Kemet.
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Andrea Frye (Center) prepares for the scene with crew (L-R) Semaj Cottle, DP Jerard McKinzie, and Courtney Matthews. |
Fueled by her vision for “American Leopard,” Executive Producer Lisa Reich, owner of Chalant Productions pulled together a diverse coalition of Atlanta production companies to make the film. Tapping Jerard McKinzie's Focused Fylmz and Anthony R Page's Blue Bistro Creative, Reich stated, “it was important that we had a cast and crew as diverse as the story, working together to bring this project to fruition in these challenging times.”
Anthony R Page, who served as the producer for the film stated “Positively impacted by the diverse team, we made something meaningful. Consequently, we hope this film will move the needle just a little bit and amplify the right kinds of conversations, encourage the right kinds of actions and re-invigorate our values as a nation.”
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