MOMMAS Film Uses a Fresh Take to Tackle Police Brutality

- December 29, 2020

Atlanta Actress/Writer Leslie Black Pens Powerful Social Drama

(L - R) Taurean Cavins-Flores, Laketa Renee, Leslie Black, Beliria Sims, and Robin Antoinette

ATLANTA, GA. Actress turned writer/producer Leslie Black pens a powerful yet timely film examining the impact of police brutality on the heart and soul of African American homes. In the story, 4 Black mothers, whose sons were murdered through their interactions with police, take a vigilante approach to justice when the system fails them. The 30-minute film is raw, heart-wrenching, and unapologetic.

To direct this film and capture the essence of the story, Black selected Columbia, SC-based director Latasha Choe Johnson. A superb filmmaker with an activist spirit, Leslie knew she would be an ideal choice. “Latasha and I have worked together in the past so I’ve already witnessed her skill as a director and admired her passion for social justice. I love the fact that she's not afraid to speak her mind, especially as it relates to police brutality. She's fearless and stands tall for what she believes in and that's what this film needed.”

(L-R) Laketa Renee, Leslie Black, Robin Antoinette, and Beliria Sims

Leslie (“Doom Patrol,” “Star”) leads the ensemble cast alongside Beliria Sims (“David Makes Man”), Robin Antoinette (“Reckless Love,” “Stolen Lilies”), and Laketa Renee (“Doom Patrol,” “Genius: Aretha”).

The strong leading ensemble is flanked by Amanda Rosario Glass (“Love in 500 Characters”), Challedon Saltor (“Genius: Aretha”), and Taurean Cavins-Flores (“A Good Wife”) as the District Attorney.

Actor Taurean Cavins-Flores

There are so many moments in the film that are tragically familiar as each woman shares her experience. This is a testament to Johnson's approach. “I wanted the actors to feel safe and protected enough to truly be vulnerable with us. To really feel like we... I was family. So we went into a room, closed the door, and prayed together. I let them know that I was gonna be right there with them, sitting in the shit, feeling it all with them, and I would help them come out of it when it was over. When we came out of that circle... the 5 of us were no longer strangers. We were bonded and became a family. And I think the performances reflect that.”

“MOMMAS” is set to be released in January 2021 and is produced by Anthony R. Page (Blue Bistro Creative) and features cinematography by Jerard McKinzie (Focused Fylmz).

“There is something unique about how we approach telling our own stories, from our own points of view. There is a deeper level of identity and truth that comes through. MOMMAS will move, motivate and make people understand and see differently. We believe audiences are gonna feel the soul of this film. Our team at Blue Bistro Creative is proud to be a part of this project.” ~ Anthony R Page