Mickey Hardaway
A Young Sketch Artist who visits a well renowned psychiatrist as his life begins sprawling out of control after years of Physical and Verbal Abuse has taken a toll on him.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Marcellus Cox
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
Thank You. I’ve wanted to make this film for the longest since my Senior Year of High School in 2005. I wanted to make and tell a story about dreamers. The people with passions regardless if it’s in the arts or not. Folks who have more to offer to this world other then working the average 9-5, and the heartbreaking downfall of those individuals at the hands of others who just don’t believe in their visions or way of life and the consequences that comes from it affecting everyone that’s involved.
With Mickey Hardaway I want to present a sense of wonder in someone who’s just now starting to know and understand what life is and can become when you believe in yourself but reveal the harsh realities as well when society stands in your way, preventing you from the opportunity to blossom into something special.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It’s a relatable story that almost every can attest to but I really want the audience to watch it as a teaching tool, a character study of how folks can be mentally broken, especially at an early age where it’s already hard enough trying to figure the world out. I want folks to understand that if they give certain people in their lives a chance before they crumble their hopes it could be beyond the sky’s limits. It’s a teaching tool that also deals with race and equality, watching people still have to fight just for the basic laws of justice and to be seen as a human being and not a piece of trash. This is a teaching tool at the end of the day and I believe it’s extremely important for the audience to witness this.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
Personal Themes I know what it’s like to have family and folks who I thought were friends shit on my dreams and call me stupid for trying to achieve a goal that many people consider impossible to come to life. It hurts and even at this stage in my career with all of my success it still leaves a huge amount of heartache and I’m not the only one who feels this way. This world is full of folks like myself who get up everyday no matter what life throws at you and continue to work and create and get better at their craft. But a part of me wonders even more about the ones who lost their lives or took there own life over these same situations of dealing with physical and verbal abuse in the process.
Universal Theme - I feel I just covered it lol but it does deal with a universal message of it doesn’t matter if your black or white, gay or straight, religion beliefs. If you believe in your dream, go for it, if you feel like you need to talk to someone then do it but don’t ever let anyone take your joy away from you ever.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
16 years in the making lol oh my goodness. It’s changed hands since the moment I wrote it in my 5th period English Class in 2005 till my freshman year of Film School at El Camino College where a screening professor of mine told he he loved it and to hang onto it. So I did but I never pushed to make it because I honestly felt my skills weren’t sharp enough to do it justice and I didn’t want to screw it up lol. So I waited and just got better at my craft working on other shorts.
I had a production company out in Burbank in 2020 that was going to finance the screenplay but then Covid hit and they backed out so me and my production partner Armando Townsend took the money we had and shot the concept. And it’s been an absolute blessing far exceeding expectations.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect from the audience but the feedback has been so brilliantly displayed by everyone that’s come in contact with the film from bloggers and reviewers to the folks who’d actually pay to see it in the festivals. But nothing compares to the live audience in the theaters who see it on the big screen and some of the powerful messages I got back from the audience who are looking at you dead square in the eyes is the greatest blessing in the world. I know I did something right with this film and its message and it gave me even greater hope going forward as an Artist know this is what I was born to do.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Amazing No. I’ve gotten a great sense from the audience and just people in general that I was true to my research putting the script and story together and allowing these characters to present my message. There hasn’t been one moment that I can personally recall someone saying that’s not right. I believe I put the work in fine tuning the script and it shows on that screen every time you watch it.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
I want to reach out to the folks who can understand what it means to Sacrifice everything to achieve their dreams and at the same time know what it means to have the entire weight of the world on their shoulders doing so. Those who have been in the footsteps of Mickey, do you give it to the world’s demands killing your hopes and dreams and ultimately your soul or do you continue to fight for what you believe in.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Everyone lol. Anyone and Everyone that’s interested in this story and its message.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
That’s a tricky one to answer believe it or not. I know in my heart I want this film and story to reveal hope, survival, the willingness to strive for what you believe in. But I also want to reveal the truth, no holds-bar at all about the dangers of mental illness, depression and how it can affect those internally and the ones who are causing those individuals to self-dissolve.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Why do we have to kill someone else’s dreams just because we weren’t able to see are own become a reality.
Would you like to add anything else?
I would love to say Thank You to my cast: Rashad Hunter, Stephen Cofield Jr, David Chattam, Charlz Williams and Deangelo Davis. None of this is possible with you and your amazing performances. Huge Thank You To Bryant Fisher & Jamil Gooding for everything you guys made possible to happen and Armando Townsend for giving me the opportunity to make my vision a reality. There’s never enough I can do to repay you.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Starting Monday July 26th I’ll be releasing a crowdfunding campaign for the Feature Version of Mickey Hardaway in the hopes of raising 100K and to begin filming later this December 2021 and have a finish cut done by March of 2022. Folks can follow the campaign at Instagram.com/cellusworld24 for more updates.
Afterwards I’ll begin on my 2nd Feature Film Jefferson Street: A Crime Thriller set in 1951 East Texas about a Black Detective who travels to East Texas Investigating the murder of his Mother at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan.
Interview: July 2021
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
Mickey Hardaway
Length:
19:23
Writer/Director/Producer
MARCELLUS COX is an Award-Winning Writer/Director hailing from Los Angeles, California. His work has played in over 200 International Film Festivals Winning over 130 total International Film Awards and have screened on television networks: Revolt TV, PBS, ShortsTV, Crime/Investigation and more.
Key cast:
Rashad Hunter, Stephen Cofield Jr, David Chattam, Charlz Williams, Deangelo Davis
Looking for:
journalists, buyers, sales agents, distributors
Social media:
Hashtags used:
MickeyHardaway, Marcellus Cox
Where can I watch it now?
First Frame International/Miracle Makers International Film Festival: July 29th-August 1st at the AOF Megafest
Cordillera International Film Festival
July 29th-August 2nd
Hill Country Film Festival
July 29th-August 2nd
Rhode Island International Film Festival
August 13th