Pics from They Die By Dawn NY screeningPosted by Wilson Morales
March 20, 2013
Last night, Blackfilm.com attended the Bulleit Bourbon presents “They Die By Dawn” film screening, held at New York’s Tribeca Cinemas. The short film recently held its premiere at the SXSW festival in Austin, TX.
Directed by Jeymes Samuel, the short film stars Michael K. Williams, Isaiah Washington, Giancarlo Esposito, Rosario Dawson, Erykah Badu, Jesse Williams, Nate Parker, Bokeem Woodbine, Harry Lennix, Kelly Hu, Denzel Whitaker and Felicia Pearson.
Nat Love, Ben Hodges, Bill Pickett and Jim Beckwourth meet up in the saloon owned by the gun toting Stagecoach Mary.
A tense Card game leads each man to reveal his hand – a bounty on each of their heads. A silent pact is made – they are to have a shootout, with the last man standing taking the collective bounty, $80,000.
the film sets out to tell the story of a showdown between the real life characters.
Nat Love (aka Deadwood Dick), Ben Hodges, Bill Pickett, Jim Beckwourth, Isom Dart, Bose Ickard, the outlaw Rufus Buck and Sheriff Bass Reeves were all famous and infamous cowboys whilst the strong and powerful Stagecoach Mary bore little resemblance to Calamity Jane.
Hollywood may have overlooked these people but we haven’t.
After the screening, Samuel, along with Michael K. Williams, Pearson, Parker, and artist Jules Arthur, who designed the poster sat down for a Q & A about the film.
Blackfilm.com then spoke exclusively with Parker about his role.
What’s your role in the film?
Nate Parker: I portray a character that’s actually based on a real person, Jim Beckwourth. I would describe him as the ignorance of youth. I’m in the lion’s den with these older guys and have a certain perspective when it comes to life and death and crime in the west. For me, there’s a confidence that comes along from not knowing a lot and that can be dangerous. There’s a likeness to it, but danger is also attached to it.
What was the appeal in participating in a short film?
NP: It was Jeymes Samuel. He has this ability of bringing you into his world. He called me and I don’t really rush to do short films with people I don’t know; so I was skeptical coming in. But once I was on the phone with him, we were talking as if we were shooting the next day. I just trusted him and the cast he pulled together was unbelievable. From Rosario Dawson to Jesse Williams to Michael K. Williams, the proof was in the pudding that this was going to be something special so I signed up.
How much of a fan are you of the western genre?
NP: I’m a huge fan and Jeymes managed to wrangle 90% of the black west and put them together in a short film and have them in a way where everyone is different and empowered and strong and masculine and that’s rare. The interesting thing about it is that there is no outside hero that motivates, infiltrates, denigrates anyone in the film. It’s very much what’s it’s build to be. A western that takes place that happens to have people of African decent attached to it.
What are some of your favorite westerns?
NP: One, and don’t judge me, film when I was young was Posse. Mario Van Peebles was very much a silent mentor. I still respect him and his father, Melvin. They have done so much for our community. A lot of people don’t know how much they have done and still are doing. Another western I like is Tombstone. Those are probably my two favorites.
What do you have coming out?
NP: I have Non-Stop, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints , and I’m filming a project called Every Secret Thing with Dakota Fanning and Diane Lane. Things are picking up in a great way. I feel like the line in the sand has more than shown its worth because now I’m doing the film that I want to do. Now, I feel that I’m being appreciated that I’m really able to support myself doing only the thing I want to do.
Director Jeymes Samuel on They Die By Dawn
Michael K. Williams on They Die By Dawn
