Blàk (w)Hole Filmworks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edgy Young Director Premieres Gritty New Film to Change the Negative Portrayal of Blacks in Hollywood
Los Angeles, CA—June 16, 2006—Acclaimed talk show host and noted philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey categorized his work as “simply brilliant.” Academy Award Winning actress Halle Berry called him a “creative genius.” All this before he even stepped one foot behind the camera. The man of whom they speak is IFP Spirit Award nominee Artel Kayàru, who has already made quite a name for himself in the realm of acting. Now he’s stepping into the director’s chair and turning a few heads in the process.
With inspiration at his fingertips, Kayàru founded the production company Blàk (w)Hole Filmworks to make his dreams of seeing more positive images of Black people in today’s films a reality. His first production, "The Smile of an Angry Man", Kayàru wrote the screenplay in less than twenty four hours and risked his entire savings to finance the film’s production. Wearing multiple hats, he serves as the film’s writer, director, co-composer, executive producer and lead actor. Truly a Herculean feat for any seasoned filmmaker, let alone a twenty-three year old upstart born into the harsh realities of Chicago’s inner city.
According to Kayàru, “I was reading scripts and watching movies and becoming more and more disenchanted with the way Black people were being portrayed in Hollywood. As a people, I know we’re more than drug dealers, pimps, addicts, thugs or funny sidekicks. We’re a diverse people with a beauty and depth that speaks volumes when our stories are told in our truth. I decided to make a film to ameliorate the social barriers that Hollywood studios place on Black actors. I desired to make a film with characters that were real to me and to the people of my community.”
"The Smile of an Angry Man" is the gritty and inspirational story of a young Black man’s search for self identity while struggling with abandonment and rejection in the maligned educational systems of America. The film captures the ambivalent detachment of Generation X while articulating the restless inertia of American youth. “Making this film was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences I’ve ever had,” Kayàru says. “I’m happy when people watch the film and appreciate its truth. It let’s me know there’s still hope. People want to see good movies. Audiences aren’t dumb, despite what some Hollywood executives may think.”
No newcomer to the entertainment world, Artel Kayàru a Chicago native, began his career in the theatre at age four. He matriculated at Columbia in Chicago at age sixteen. He began his professional career in the 20th Century Fox film, "Light It Up" and made his silver screen debut opposite Julia Stiles and Sean Patrick Thomas in the Paramount Pictures blockbuster movie, "Save the Last Dance". Soon after Artel garnered national attention with his riveting performance in the hit, "Dahmer", which lead to a Spirit Award nomination for Best Debut Performance.
"The Smile of an Angry Man" will be honored as an official selection at the Black Harvest International Festival of Film in August. Kayàru can also be seen in the upcoming Sony Pictures film, "Lies & Alibi’s", scheduled to be released in September, as well as the real life drama, "Heaven’s Fall" early next year.
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