Blackfilm.com correspondent Ellen J. Wanjiru chats with director, writer, producer Jeymes Samuel about the importance of having Black cowboys represented in lead roles in his feature directorial debut, THE HARDER THEY FALL — a Western about an outlaw Nat Love (Jonathan Majors) who discovers that his enemy (Idris Elba) is being released from prison, so he reunites his gang to track down Rufus Buck and seek revenge. Debuting on Netflix November 3.
FILM SYNOPSIS: When outlaw Nat Love discovers that his enemy Rufus Buck is being released from prison he rounds up his gang to track Rufus down and seek revenge. Those riding with him in this assured, righteously new school Western include his former love Stagecoach Mary (Zazie Beetz), his right and left hand men — hot-tempered Bill Pickett (Edi Gathegi) and fast drawing Jim Beckwourth (R.J. Cyler)—and a surprising adversary-turned-ally. Rufus Buck has his own fearsome crew, including “Treacherous” Trudy Smith (Regina King) and Cherokee Bill (LaKeith Stanfield), and they are not a group that knows how to lose.
The all-star powerhouse Black cast includes Jonathan Majors, Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Danielle Deadwyler, Edi Gathegi, R.J. Cyler, Damon Wayans Jr., Deon Cole with Regina King and Idris Elba. Revenge has never been served colder.
Directed by Jeymes Samuel, written by Samuel and Boaz Yakin, produced by Shawn Carter, James Lassiter, Lawrence Bender and Jeymes Samuel.
The epic soundtrack is curated by Samuel and fellow producer Shawn Carter, aka legendary rapper-mogul JAY-Z, and producer James Lassiter.
“The Harder They Fall will put something into our culture that has been missing forever, as most every character in this film is based on a character that really existed,” says Samuel of his vision. “I just assembled them like Black Gods, and put them in one space at one time.”
Jeymes Samuel
“After this movie no one will ever say there were no people of color in the Old West. So we had to remember as we were making this movie: it would be fun to make but also a true historical statement. Black people, Asian people, all people of color and women deserve a film like this that is done on an epic scale.”
Jeymes Samuel
Jeymes Samuel also known by his stage name The Bullitts, is a British singer-songwriter, music producer and filmmaker from London, England. Samuel has a cinematic element to his music and has accompanied most of his releases with a short film. His studio album, titled They Die By Dawn & Other Short Stories…, was released in July 2013. The album was supported by the singles “Close Your Eyes” (featuring Lucy Liu and Jay Electronica), “Landspeeder”, “Supercool” and “World Inside Your Rainbow”. He is the brother of Grammy award-winning musician Seal. Samuel also served as Executive Music Supervisor on The Great Gatsby.
Watch trailer below!
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