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An American Sunset

Synopsis

It’s July 25, 2022 – a year prior to the passing of Mamie Till and the birthday of Emmett Till. Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr., cousin and last living witness, accounts the day before the abduction and lynching of Emmett Till that not only a boy was lost in the midst of tragedy but a friend and a young man beyond his years.

Review

5/5
A touching drama centered around the murder of Emmett Till.
Written and directed by John Varkados, ‘An American Sunset’ is a short drama film which centres around the tragedy of 14-year-old Emmett Till. The narrative focuses on Emmett’s cousin and close friend, Wheeler Parker Jr – who was with him prior to his abduction and brutal execution. The film, which is beautifully crafted and produced, takes place in July 2002 – with a flashback to August 1955, specifically the day before the tragic event. A poignant drama that touches on friendship, racism, religion and loss.

Throughout the 7-minute film, Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr reflects on Emmett’s passing in the context of a religious sermon. Intertwined with the Parker’s reflections, the audience is taken back to a childhood conversation he had with Emmett – the day before he was kidnapped and subsequently murdered. The film acts as an educational introduction to the harrowing story of Till’s racially motivated execution.

An American Sunset Short Film Emmett Till
John Varkados has crafted a poignant historical drama, which is regrettably based on true events. Palmer Williams III (DOP) delivers outstanding cinematography, which is coupled with high quality sound and post-production. The entire cast – J. J. Johnson, Chance Dollard and Chris Milton – portray the real life characters with an admirable level of authenticity and dignity.

The drama is certain to bring awareness and spark further interest in Emmett’s story, the Civil Rights Movement and the shameful history of violence against African-Americans. Highly recommended.

Cast/Crew

Director(s): John Varkados
Writer(s): John Varkados
Cast: Chance Dollard, Chris Milton, J. J. Johnson
Producer(s): Belle Moult, John Varkados, Keshya Williams
Director of Photography: Palmer Williams III
Animation (if applicable):

Specifications

Genre:
Subjects: , , , , , ,
Collections: , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 7 min

Recommended

5/5

Incognito

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The modern day struggles of our youth; peer group pressure, drugs and crime….
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5/5

Hypodermic

A terrifying event leads to an unconventional path of healing….
  • Drama, Thriller
  • United States
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  • 22 min

Cast/Crew

Director(s): John Varkados
Writer(s): John Varkados
Cast: Chance Dollard, Chris Milton, J. J. Johnson
Producer(s): Belle Moult, John Varkados, Keshya Williams
Director of Photography: Palmer Williams III
Animation (if applicable):

Specifcations

Genre:
Subjects: , , , , , ,
Collections: , ,
Country:
Language: English
Year: 2022
Runtime: 7 min

Recommended

4/5

Schooltime

  • Drama
  • Canada
  • 2023
Do broken people break more people? The short film weighs this question closely. It looks at the trail of damage a disturbed teenager leaves behind in an act of fatal violence fueled by a life of hate and neglect. Cole is a young single father who comes undone by…
4/5

Weight

  • Action, Drama
  • United States
  • 2020
In the wake of a traumatic loss. A future mother to be contemplates her future….

An American Sunset

Synopsis

It’s July 25, 2022 – a year prior to the passing of Mamie Till and the birthday of Emmett Till. Rev. Wheeler Parker, Jr., cousin and last living witness, accounts the day before the abduction and lynching of Emmett Till that not only a boy was lost in the midst of tragedy but a friend and a young man beyond his years.

Review

A touching drama centered around the murder of Emmett Till.

5/5
Written and directed by John Varkados, ‘An American Sunset’ is a short drama film which centres around the tragedy of 14-year-old Emmett Till. The narrative focuses on Emmett’s cousin and close friend, Wheeler Parker Jr – who was with him prior to his abduction and brutal execution. The film, which is beautifully crafted and produced, takes place in July 2002 – with a flashback to August 1955, specifically the day before the tragic event. A poignant drama that touches on friendship, racism, religion and loss.

Throughout the 7-minute film, Rev. Wheeler Parker Jr reflects on Emmett’s passing in the context of a religious sermon. Intertwined with the Parker’s reflections, the audience is taken back to a childhood conversation he had with Emmett – the day before he was kidnapped and subsequently murdered. The film acts as an educational introduction to the harrowing story of Till’s racially motivated execution.

An American Sunset Short Film Emmett Till
John Varkados has crafted a poignant historical drama, which is regrettably based on true events. Palmer Williams III (DOP) delivers outstanding cinematography, which is coupled with high quality sound and post-production. The entire cast – J. J. Johnson, Chance Dollard and Chris Milton – portray the real life characters with an admirable level of authenticity and dignity.

The drama is certain to bring awareness and spark further interest in Emmett’s story, the Civil Rights Movement and the shameful history of violence against African-Americans. Highly recommended.

Recommended

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