If we know just one thing about New York-based Nigerian-American filmmaker, Faraday Okoro, it is the fact that he does not shy away from taking on contemporary controversial issues in his films. His first film, Nigerian Prince, focused the lens on a much-avoided yet pertinent subject of email and internet fraud (aka advance fee fraud) — a phenomenon for which Nigeria has become internationally known.
Executively produced by Oscar winner and Hollywood heavyweight Spike Lee under 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, Nigerian Prince was the inaugural winner of the Tribeca Film Institute and AT&T’s Untold Stories competition. The movie also earned him a place on Moviemaker Magazine’s ’25 To Watch’ list.
His next film Prelude to a Crime focuses on police brutality. It is a legal drama set within a jury deliberation where involved parties are confronted with confusing facts and implications of the case presented before them: a police officer on trial for the shooting of an unarmed black man. Perspectives shift, personalities clash, and tensions boil over in this fictional exploration of a tragic phenomenon that has become all too relatable and unfortunately too common in the States in recent years.
Okoro will be collaborating with Andrew Lauren Productions in the creation of the film. In a recent interview, he said:
“I’m excited to team with Andrew Lauren Productions on this film. Like myself, they’re passionate about telling relevant, thought-provoking stories.
I’ve always wondered what happens behind-the-scenes in court cases like these, and exploring the problems facing our criminal justice system is more important than ever.”
ALP developed the script from an original idea with Dillon Michael White—an up-and-coming screenwriter. Prelude to a Crime will be produced by Andrew Lauren and D.J. Gugenheim. Oliver Monday will executive produce for ALP.
“Cases like these have sadly become increasingly common and really entered the national consciousness, unfortunately with outcomes that often only reinforce the tragedy,” Gugenheim says.
“We are proud to be partnering with Faraday, who has a distinct vision to bring audiences behind the curtain and into the minds of the everyday citizens making these decisions.”
Productions are said to commence soon. This is definitely a film to look forward to.