The actress Letitia Wright has addressed the significant pressure surrounding the need for black filmmakers to portray stories of black experiences, as she gets ready to present her debut as a director.
At 31, the Black Panther star has taken on the role of director for her short film, Highway to the Moon. This project is inspired by the tragic loss of her friend’s brother and the untimely death of model Harry Uzoka.
Written, directed, and produced by Wright, the film is set to make its world debut this Saturday at the South London film festival. It features actors Kenyah Sandy and Lamar Waves in a coming-of-age fantasy narrative that delves into the lives of young black boys whose potential is brutally interrupted.
Wright describes the film as a spiritual and visual exploration filled with themes of joy, love, and unity within black youth. It contemplates the fate of the souls of young black boys post-death, whether due to violence or mental health issues, across three realms: Earth, the “in-between,” and the cosmos.
“This came out of a place of shock regarding the loss of people I was close to, especially my friend’s brother Junior, who was taken from us over a simple disagreement,” she shared. “His life was cut short, and witnessing the pain it caused my friend and her family was overwhelming, compounded by the fact that no one would come forward to seek justice. That family hasn’t found closure.”
This short film, created through WeTransfer’s arts platform WePresent, is Wright’s reaction to the knife crime epidemic in London. However, she emphasizes that it consciously steers clear of worn-out clichés, pointing out that in many stabbing incidents, gang involvement wasn’t even a factor.
“What intrigued me was the essence of their spirits, inspiring me to write about this from a fresh perspective, different from the usual narratives,” Wright explained.
While discussing her insights with the Guardian, Wright reflected on the responsibilities that come with being a black filmmaker, emphasizing the struggle to represent an entire community while satisfying diverse expectations.
“During my acting career, I’ve felt this weight when considering the roles I choose,” she noted. “I understand the significance of representation and the influence that imagery has. This knowledge has certainly posed challenges, whether during the writing, directing, producing, or casting phases.”
“It’s always in the back of your mind—what if someone misinterprets my intentions?” Wright added. “That’s happened before; however, I’ve learned to release that concern because it’s an enormous burden I can’t shoulder. Ultimately, I can’t control how everyone perceives this; I just need to concentrate on my intentions.”
For this project, her aim is to promote a message of love and togetherness. Wright expressed, “I want our boys to feel a sense of belonging when they watch this. It’s essential for them to know they deserve a good quality of life.”
In response to potential criticism for addressing knife violence, she clarified: “You won’t see any knives in this film. It’s more about the repercussions—the aftermath of violence.”
Wright acknowledged her apprehensions about stepping into the director’s role, describing the process as a significant learning experience. “There were tough moments where I felt like giving up, but it was the story and the young boys involved that fueled my determination,” she said.
To better equip herself, she took courses in directing and producing while balancing her acting career. “It was a challenging experience, but I was certainly learning a lot along the way,” she quipped. “In the end, I’m grateful to have created something I truly believe in.”
