Paris Blues in Harlem is about a young woman Paris desperate in her quest to pressure her grandfather to accept a realtor’s briefcase with mounds of cash in exchange for his financially strained Harlem jazz club.

Actress/Writer/Director Nadhege Ptah

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made the film Paris Blues In Harlem to tackle and lend my perspectives on the issues of generational differences and legacy plaguing disadvantaged communities in building economic and generational wealth.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

The film engages the audience to look at the universal human struggles living in their communities and families challenged by differences in values and the necessary pertinent decision to let go and grow.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The personal themes are it's a loosely based story that is centered about the owner of Paris Blues, Samuel Hargress, the jazz club, local patrons, and the Harlem vicinity. The universal themes are economics, legacy, and generational differences.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The idea started in 2016. The script took a year to write because the themes and directions kept changing. It was challenging to narrow down in short form the history of Paris Blues In Harlem, which can be told best in a documentary. Once, I navigated the painful process to summarize the entire history through the characters in one day and one location then it was simplified to approach the larger story.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The feedback has been great and relatable to many of the audiences who within their own family had similar struggles and issues. Here is a quote from a journalist who wrote about the film at the Black Star Film Festival’s newsletter. “Paris Blues in Harlem is squarely in the tradition of films like Amazing Grace and Do The Right Thing, which covered the struggle against gentrification with an intimate focus on members of communities beleaguered by the phenomenon. Paris contends with the conflict of whether or not to deal the family heirloom, a choice that you can almost see pinball from her brain throughout the short’s stage-like set. Ptah explores this critical moment in such a way that signals slight claustrophobia, fitting for a third-generation proprietor of a space
that spurs her anxiety”. - Niela Orr

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Not really, it’s been more confirming to continue to explore the complexities of the human struggles and convey it in its authenticity and I’m on the right track. Also, it’s great to hear and accept the audience's perspectives because as humans we will perceive things differently based on our personal narrative. I challenged myself to continue to be flexible and welcoming to the favorable and unfavorable feedback because they are jewels and tools to help us grow as artists.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I want to grow the audience, opportunities, monetize, visibility to leverage the presence and growth for Paris Blues In Harlem.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Firstly, I would love to have more passionate and well-connected producers who believe and advocate for the project, sales agents, distributors, more film festivals and especially more journalists to cover the film for media presence, and a few public figures like celebrities to serve as ambassadors which will amplify the message in the film.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I want the reception to be welcoming to the issues and themes explored about legacy, economics, and generational differences in broken communities. The impact is to inspire, encourage, shed light and take action to fix and heal the issues preventing economic stability and wealth in disadvantaged communities.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Is wealth about behavior or race?

Would you like to add anything else?

I would appreciate and be eternally grateful to the audience reading this article to like our social media handles and spread the word for others to do the same. We want to build a nice following to increase engagements.

Facebook: Paris Blues In Harlem Film

Twitter: parisbluesfilm

Instagram: @parisbluesinharlemfilm.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I have been involved and completed three short films since 2015. I’m in development with a director to bring her sci-fi short film towards fruition, I’m in post for a music video shot early this year and working on my pitch bible to develop Paris Blues In Harlem into a television series.

Interview: September 2018

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Paris Blues In Harlem

Paris Blues in Harlem is about a young woman Paris desperate in her quest to pressure her grandfather to accept a realtor’s briefcase with mounds of cash in exchange for his financially strained Harlem jazz club.

Length: 14:05

About the writer/director:

NADHEGE PTAH is a creative light in motion who loves to tell stories in the various artistic disciplines as an actor/writer/producer/dancer/director of film, stage, and theater. Ptah is the founder and CEO of the Harlem based production company MAAT Films.

Key cast: (yellow is key cast)

Starring:

Tony Award Winner, Walking Dead, All My Children, Gotham, Scandal Tonya Pinkins

Artistic Director of Negro Ensemble, Stir Crazy, Sandford and Son Charles Weldon

Broadway Legend Arthur French

Radio Host Personality WBLS Doctor Bob Lee

Award-winning filmmaker, Actress Nadhege Ptah

Award-winning filmmaker, Actress Michele Baldwin

Radio Personality and Actor C.Truth

Veteran Actress Iris Gale

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists, public figures, influencers):

Social media handles:

Facebook: Paris Blues In Harlem Film

Twitter: parisbluesfilm

Instagram: parisbluesinharlemfilm

Other:

Hashtags you use: #ParisBluesInHarlemFilm

Where was this filmed?

Harlem

Funders: Self, Executive Producers, a Fundraising event

Made in association with: Michele Baldwin Enterprises and Lisa Durden Unlimited Productions

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

We completed our 2018 festivals run and will resume in 2019 as we wait for the festivals official selections for 2019. Below are the festivals we were selected to screen.

Film Festivals 2018

Film Festivals (Paris Blues In Harlem):

Hampton University Film Festival April 2018 (Virginia)

Southern Fried Film Festival June 9, 2018 (Alabama)

Roxbury International Film Festival June 24, 2018 (Boston)

Hip Hop Film Festival August 4, 2018 (New York)

Black Star Film Festival August 2, 2018 (Philadelphia)

Beats Film Festival (Meredith aka Time Warner) August 10, 2018

Newark International Film Festival September 8, 2018

Awards/Nominations 2018

Best Female Director (Nominated) Hip Hop Film Festival

Tubman Award (Won) Hip Hop Film Festival

Best Short Film (Nominated) Newark International Film Festival