Brady O'Keefe spotlights the team of Black talent behind Premature (2019)
Film: Premature (2019)
Against the backdrop of Harlem, Rashaad Ernesto Green’s Premature (2019) follows the story of two artistic souls Ayanna (Zora Howard) and Isaiah (Joshua Boone). When Ayanna, a seventeen-year-old poet set to embark on her first year of University, meets Isaiah, a music producer who has recently moved to New York City, the pair immediately fall for one another.
Actor: Zora Howard
The tumultuous pairing feels believable and raw, a feat made possible by Zora Howard’s performance. Premature is Howard’s first lead role in a feature film, which she also co-wrote, and Howard’s deep connection to the work is palpable throughout the film. Her acting is incredibly subtle and sensitive, which perfectly captures the emotions her character is experiencing as the events of the film unfold. Although this may be Howard’s first acting credit, she is indeed an actor to look out for.
Director: Rashaad Ernesto Green
Premature is Rashaad Ernesto Green’s sophomore feature film and by far his most ambitious film yet, in which he successfully juggles the characters’ struggles, naivete and their relationship with the burdens of the real world. Green’s personal passion for this film saturates every scene, allowing the audience to feel the gravity of each moment. Premature is an underappreciated work of Black cinema that showcases Black creativity, and Green himself is a director that everyone should keep their eye on. Green shows no sign of slowing down as his upcoming film ‘68 is currently in development, Green’s name will undoubtedly become a familiar sight on our screens in the years to come.