“892“, an intense hostage drama starring John Boyega (Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, Detroit) directed by Abi Damaris Corbin and based on the true story of Brian Brown Easley, made its debut on day 2 of Sundance.
Living in a cheap motel in Atlanta and separated from his wife and child, former U.S. Marine veteran Brian Easley is desperate. Driven to the brink by forces beyond his control, the soft-spoken, kind man decides to rob a bank and hold hostages with a bomb. As police, media, and family members descend on the bank and Brian, it becomes clear he’s not after money — he wants to tell his story and have what is rightfully his, even if it costs him his life.
The film features a strong cast with superb performances from Boyega in the lead role of Brian Easley, Olivia Washington (daughter of Denzel and Pauletta Washington) in the role of Cassandra, Easley’s estranged wife and London Covington in the role of Easley’s daughter, Kiah. Also notable is the late Michael K. Williams in his final film role as the empathetic hostage negotiator Eli Bernard; Nicole Beharie (as Estel Valerie) and Selenis Leyva (as Rosa Diaz) portraying the two hostages. All of the actors in “892” are on their “A” game. I could feel Brian Easley’s desperation through the screen as well as the fear from Estel and Selenis.
“892” highlights the plight of way too many of our veterans who, after fighting for our country, lose their limbs, sanity, health and nearly their lives, return home to miles of red-tape in claiming their benefits from a flawed Veterans Administration.
Brian Easley is a decorated veteran, honorably discharged and has no criminal record. With his funds nearly depleted and at his wit’s end, all Easley wants is to be heard, to tell his story and for the world to know how the U.S. treats its veterans — even if he loses his life doing it.
With nowhere left to turn he enters an Atlanta Wells Fargo bank and announces to the teller that he has a bomb — all to get the attention of the media, the Veterans Administration, and possibly the world in hopes of righting this wrong and returning the $892 taken from him. Instead, he is told to wait and is given the run-around. It seems no one is willing to help, except for hostage negotiator and fellow veteran Eli Bernard who takes the time to actually listen and understand Easley’s plight and is able to see him as more than just a Black man with a bomb.
Meet the Artist
Abi Damaris Corbin is a Boston-bred filmmaker. Her BAFTA-shortlisted short The Suitcase, which screened at festivals worldwide, was sponsored by George Lucas’s think tank — the ETC — alongside Disney, Universal, and Google. She entered college at age 14, graduating with an MA in Performance Studies, and is an MFA Grad of USC’s School of Cinematic Arts and a Sony Directors program alumnus.
After reading Brian Easley’s story, Boston filmmaker Abi Damaris Corbin was moved to adapt the story for the screen, along with screenwriter Kwame Kwei Armah, and took the project on as her directorial debut. Ms. Corbin says the story reminded her of her own father’s troubles as a veteran and dealing with the Veterans Administration. “892” is based on the article by journalist Aaron Gell, “They didn’t have to kill him: The death of Lance Corporal Brian Easley.” Armah and Corbin based much of the dialogue on actual transcripts from the conversations between Easley and members of the news, police and hostage negotiator Eli Bernard.
Credits
- Director: Abi Damaris Corbin
- Screenwriters: Abi Damaris Corbin, Kwame Kwei-Armah
- Producers: Ashley Levinson, Salman Al-Rashid, Sam Frohman, Kevin Turen, Mackenzie Fargo
- Director of Photography: Doug Emmett
- Composer: Michael Abels
- Executive Producer: Will Greenfield, Josh Bearman, Arthur Spector, Sims Frazier, Katia Washington, Jarrett Turner, Harrison Huffman, Femi Oguns, John Boyega, Moudhy Al-Rashid
- Production Designer: Christian Snell
- Editor: Chris Witt
- Based On The Article By: Aaron Gell
- Co-Executive Producer: Morwin Schmookler
- Principal Cast: John Boyega, Michael Kenneth Williams, Nicole Beharie, Connie Britton, Olivia Washington, Selenis Leyva
- Run time: 103 min
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