Nothing To Lose, But The Dream

Nothing To Lose, But The Dream
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I Am Maurice tells the story of a young man set adrift in a strange new city, with only a dream to guide him.

I Am Maurice tells the story of a young man set adrift in a strange new city, with only a dream to guide him.

Brwilliant Minds Productions

There are times in this life, when the unimaginable comes upon us, and completely reorients our outlook on who we are, and where we need to go. Such happenings, as a pair of young filmmakers are setting out to depict, can take everything from us, leaving only our dreams to guide us. That’s the setting for a new independent film, I Am Maurice, a tale of upheaval, challenges, and the power of one’s dreams. I spoke with one of its writer/producers, Bryan Kennedy, who is joining with comedic sensation Wil Sylvince and accomplished director Jerry LaMothe, to bring this fascinating story to life. “We wanted to do this as an independent film, “Kennedy says, “and we were inspired by the success of Moonlight.” Encouraged, Kennedy and Sylvince formed Brwilliant Minds Productions, and imagined a young, hearing impaired man, set adrift by the earthquake which devastated Haiti in 2010, who migrates to New York City, to follow his vision of becoming a champion boxer. Like millions upon millions who have come through the Golden Door to achieve their goals, Maurice must navigate the obstacles inherent in adapting to a new culture. “it’s a story people can relate to,” Kennedy observes, “and it shows a young Black man making his way.”

Beyond the immigrant-tries-to-make-good theme, there are also subtle undercurrents here that make the film’s story arc a parable for our times. As the White House tries to make it tougher for immigrants to enter or stay here, I Am Maurice is perhaps the reminder we need of just what the Lady in the Harbor really means to those seeking a new life in America. I lived in and around Queens my entire life, and it is perhaps the most diverse county in all the world. On its streets, you’ll find vibrant, striving cultures from places you can’t pronounce, let alone find on a map, but this borough is by far the greatest example of the impact centuries of the dream have wrought. Kennedy tells me this, too was part of their vision for Maurice. “He has a lot to overcome,” the filmmaker relates, “but he still has his Haitian background, and his aspirations, with him.” Maurice steadfastly makes his way through his strange new surroundings, buoyed by faith, and intent on punching through to pugilistic success. Even in today’s political climate, such stories bring us back to what our fabled “polyglot inheritance” can accomplish, even for just one lone individual.

“We felt we didn’t need a major Hollywood studio or a big budget to pull this off,” Kennedy says of the team’s decision to crowdfund the film’s production. “When you look at what they did with Moonlight,” he notes, “you see the possibilities.” Moonlight, which took home three Oscars, including Best Picture last year, overcame substantial odds. On a meager $1.5 million budget, this tale of a young gay Black man coming of age stole a march on an astounded industry, and changed the game for young screenwriters like Kennedy and Sylvince. They have great expectations for their project, too, which, like their main character, is the pursuit of a dream. First to sign up for the soundtrack is indie Brooklyn rock band Great Elk, and other artists will soon round out this captivating picture’s score, making the story a truly memorable one. You can help make I Am Maurice happen, by supporting the film’s Kickstarter campaign, which is well underway. Like their questing protagonist, Kennedy, Sylvince, and their growing cinematic team have nothing to lose, but their dream.

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