It News Wire
After this coronavirus pandemic, life may never get back to normal. And that’s precisely the message Atlanta-based filmmaker Bobby Huntley is trying to make with his “cinematic PSA,” CORONAMAN: STAY HOME, a parody, inspired by Jordan Peele and Nia DaCosta’s remake of CANDYMAN that went vial.
CORONAMAN: STAY HOME cleverly re-imagines the trailer of the horror flick – frame by frame — and shows the consequences of not taking social distancing and the quarantine seriously. Huntley shot the PSA in less than 14 hours in Atlanta, while practicing social distancing and taking other safety precautions mandated.
In Huntley’s cinematic PSA, starring, Diezie Sahn, the boogey man is the coronavirus, and he warns if you don’t keep yourself safe during the quarantine, the consequence is death. Even the opening credits offer a gentle reminder to “take yo ass home.” Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is one of the first to lift stay-at-home restrictions, drawing criticism from around the country, including mayors within the state, like Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
In fact, in the midst of Georgia’s early re-opening efforts on April 24, 2020 officials reported more than 1,000 deaths related to coronavirus the SAME day! With legislators at odds with re-opening cities, clearly Huntley is on the side of Team Keisha Lance Bottoms, the highest-ranking governmental official of a predominately Black city. With African Americans dying at a disproportionate rate from COVID-19, Huntley wanted to use his art to make a political statement in an entertaining, but poignant way.
“With CORONAMAN: STAY HOME, I wanted to amplify the call of Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ to stay safe and sound,” said Huntley. “During this pandemic, we need to choose safety over our own personal comfort.”
COMING UP!
For Huntley, CORONAMAN: STAY HOME was a creative detour from his “day job,” as a director for his latest film, titled CONNECT. Set in Atlanta, the film revolves around a 24-year-old Black man, named Vincent, struggling to live a normal life, but discovers he has a supernatural gift, which he deems a curse. But when a senseless death of another young, Black teen hits the community hard, Vincent may be forced to tap into this secret gift in order to help a grieving mother, much to the chagrin of family members who object to it. CONNECT stars fresh-face actors Bryan Earl and Ashley John.
According to Huntley, the film is an exploration of a classic reluctant hero who is marred by emotional, mental, and psychological limitations that stems from trauma.
Taking a lead from Hollywood, with only two days of production remaining, Huntley shut down production of CONNECT for the safety of his cast and crew. Shot in Atlanta, Huntley hopes to wrap up production in the coming months in time for the film festival circuit.
