Kevin Hayward
I first saw Marcellus work in 2019 at Holyshorts in Hollywood. It was a short film called I’m Sorry. A damn fine film from a young director I felt had potential to become something special. Years later he continues to prove me right and now the entire industry is finally starting to take noticed. And I’m so happy that his brilliant talent and hard work is starting to pay off for him in ways I know is going to show the world he’s a star in the making.
Marcellus Cox is an Award-Winning Writer/Director born and raised from Los Angeles, California. Marcellus Cox has always had a passion for movies and filmmaking. As a True Auteur, his style of cinematic storytelling is embossed with dark and edgy themes that is engaging and enlightening, delivering his audience to a place of understanding and compassion for social issues and objectivity, as he pushes the boundaries of controversial storytelling, touching on subjects such as Race, Religion, Social & Political issues. Marcellus Cox work has screened in over 100 International FilmFestivals, Won over 150 International Film Awards and has screened Nationwide on television: ShortsTV, Aspire’s Urban Indie Film Block, Revolt TV’s Short & Fresh and PBS.
Marcellus has a new short film out called “Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes” it’s a wonderful and powerful short film. It’s Inspired by True Eventsfollowing the day in the life of Jamarcus Rose, a young teen and talented high school MLB prospect who spends the day with his new mentor, Jasper, from the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America Program.
This compelling short film focuses its attention on mentorship and the people willing to invest in the world’s youth. The film has a sincere message and an unexpected ending that broke my heart. It demonstrates that it’s important to have tough conversations and to be open about your feelingswith one another, especially at a time where we need to express it the most.
The 2019 story of the death of Lamont Taylor is a tragedy. Inspiration struck, and Marcellus reached out to Taylor’s grandmother and familyasking if he could tell his story. With some hiccups in the project’s funding and the passing of Taylor’s grandmother, Cox decided to go ahead and bring peace to Lamont’s memory.
This film reminded me so much of Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station. Different subject matters but the Importin’s of humanizing someone’s life who otherwise wouldn’t be seen nor remembered. Showing these young men as something more than just statistics and the average case of just being a simple casualty of hood life.
It was an honor to be able to discuss the film with Marcellus and here his thoughts on creating such a great film. Here is part of our conversation.
Q: Thank you for taking time to speak with us Marcellus. If I can ask youright out of the gate, what made you want to bring this story to life?
A: My love of storytelling and cinema. Can’t do anything in terms of storytelling without that apart of your heart and soul as an Artist. But honestly the story of Lamont Taylor hit home with me in such a powerful manner. I saw his story on Television on Kcal 9 and KTLA 5 here in LA in 2019 and I was so heartbroken by it that it literally became a massive importance for me to make this. His story could’ve been any of are stories especially coming from where we came from in South Central LA and I couldn’t forgive myself and I didn’t have something to say to help keep his memory alive in any manner that I possibly could.
I went and made another short during covid called Mickey Hardaway because the funding was given to me and it was great for furthering the feature version but there was no way I could get Lamont’s story off my brain. So, in 2021 I reached out to his grandmother and told her my vision and what I wanted to do and she loved the idea. But I couldn’t find the funding to make it so I had to put it on the back burner. So, around 2023 I found it but by then his grandmother had passed and I almost gave up on it. But I came to far not to see it through so I went ahead to make it. I just hope that I was able to make Lamont proud and be able to show he was more then the world thought of him.
Q: I felt the casting in this short film was perfect. Duane Ervin and Stephen Cofield Jr together are Marvelous. Can you discuss the casting process.
A: Casting I knew from the moment I finished my final script I wanted Stephen Cofield Jr. He’s a brilliant actor and someone I want to work with more in the future. When you talk about someone being a generational talent, he’s that type and I have no thought he’ll continue to showcase that.
Casting for Jamarcus and Esther was a challenge, going through so many different actors and actresses and wondering if you’ll ever find the right ones to bring the vision to life. And I almost didn’t but the Film Gods bless me with Ruthie Austin who embodied Esther and her spirit. And Duane as Jamarcus is the reason why we’re here haha. And he proves that every single time he appears on the screen with his amazing charm and personality. This cast I can never thank them enough for everything they’ve done for me and helping to make my vision a reality.
Q: What we’re the difficulties you faced while production took placed.
A: There were some, I wouldn’t be an honest man if I set here and said it was perfect. The 2nd night of shooting was a pain in the ass I can’t lie. Shooting during daylight savings time is not for the weak haha. I had to adjust some moments in the script to make it work in terms of shooting and completing the scenes but it got done and the film works just as fine as if it never happens at all. That’s a blessing from the heavens above for sure because it could have derailed the entire film. That and we had the hardest time finding a Baseball field in LA which I didn’t think was going to be so hard to do. But we Thank Chatsworth Little League Baseball for saving our lives with there beautiful field.
Q: What’s it’s like working with your production team?
A: It’s fine. Working with Eric Quincy has always been cake haha. Quincy is never on set but the work he does for me behind the scenes is incredible and I’m forever grateful to him and everything he’s done with me. And I’m beyond honored and grateful to Sandra Evers-Mainly for taking a chance on me and my work, allowing me to visually showcase my artist thoughts. It’s not a second that goes by I’m not grateful for someone to stay I think he has talent and deserves a chance and she gave me that and I’ll spend the rest of my time on this earth working to prove her right and show that her decision is never a wasted one. For as many Filmmakers that she has helped I’m just happy to be a part of her brilliance.
Q: I always ask Filmmakers this question, what are your Top 5 Favorite Movies of All-Time.
A: That’s something I can answer with no problem haha. Taxi Driver by Scorsese, Ivan’s Childhood by Tarkovsky, Killer of Sheep by Charles Burnett, Throne of Blood by Kurosawa and The Defiant Ones by Stanley Kramer. I know that’s 5 but I’d also would say Seconds by John Frankenheimer, Paths of Glory by Kubrick and Chinatown by Polanski. I got more but I don’t wanna take up all of your time going over all of my favorite films, will be here forever.
Q: How about your favorite Filmmakers of All-Time, can you list them for the audience.
A: Charles Burnet, Robert Altman, Andrei Tarkovsky and Ingmar Bergman. I have so many other filmmakers who I can say has shaped my style of storytelling and vision of what I want my work to be, but if I hand to single out the ones with the biggest influence on me artistically and creatively these are the ones that stand out the most to me and who I wish and strive to be one day, if I’m lucky.
Q: What is Marcellus Cox’s dream project? Something you would love to make one day.
A: I have Two. Maybe if I’m alive 30-40 years from now I can look back at this interview and see that I made them come to life. I have a mini bio I would love to do on section of the early life of Gordon Park. I’ve already created the outline for it and It will be something I’ll want to make as I get closer to my 50’s. I want to get a few other films under my belt first.
I also got a samurai epic I want to do as well. It’s been something I’ve always dreamed of making for as long as I can remember. So, if that chance ever comes, I’m full steam ahead with it. I have a couple more that I’ll keep private haha I don’t want to give the details of those away to anyone not even the closes people to me but I have a lot of stories that will be dream projects. But the way this business works and funding a film seems to be more difficult then ever to find everything I do from here on might be a dream project.
Q: What’s next for Marcellus Cox?
A: If everything goes according to plan a Feature. I would love to have a larger canvas to show what more I can do with my art. As any Filmmaker would like to have. Short Films are great calling cards but I know I’ve called to many times. So that’s my plan, hopefully that’ll come to life. I’m willing to go anywhere the wind takes me but I pray it’ll land on a Feature.
Q: If folks want to get in touch with you where can they find you.
A: I’m not the biggest presence on Social Media but you can find me on Instagram @Cellusworld24 or Facebook @marcelluscox24. Outside of that you’ll find me in the city somewhere in LA I’m all over haha. Believe me it’s not hard to miss or find me.
