Will Robbins’s short film, MINORITY, is the Memphis-based filmmaker’s latest entry into the Memphis Film Prize competition, having just been part of the recently concluded film festival/competition event. And while Film Prize showcased some of the best filmmakers in the Memphis/Shelby County community, with stories well-told and executed, Robbins clearly had more on his mind beyond winning that $10,000 grand prize.

MINORITY lands us in a “reverse world” scenario where a white man in a hoodie falls under suspicion of a black convenience store clerk because he is “shopping while being white.” Countless Facebook political debates have posed this scenario to racists and racist-apologists since Trump’s political ascension in 2016 (and, frankly, long before), but Robbins astutely keeps his film as basic and direct as it gets. That instinct to trust his audience’s eyes and ears and not feel the need to underline the message adds to the power of the images. It’s the work of a filmmaker that has a secure handle on his ideas – and it bodes very well for what he’ll come up with in the future.

 

1 MINORITY was the most overtly “political” of the films in this year’s Film Prize competition. Was it a statement that you think you would have been compelled to make on film had Film Prize not been in the offing as a goal?

Absolutely! I had written this film way before election came up; during the rise in numbers of young black males being targeted by cops. It flooded the media every day. I’ll admit, I wasn’t too sure of the response that we would get because it was a reversed world. I never wanted it to come off as if I’m trying to make white people feel what we feel in this story. It was much more than that.

 

2 Memphis has a storied and troubled history when it comes to race relations. Some landmark moments, not so arguably the most tragic, and in some ways to an outsider it seems as if there is still no end in sight. What do you think from your perspective? And do you think you’ll find further inspiration to address it – maybe not head on as with MINORITY, or as backdrop, etc. in another film?

The media controls the way we view the World. I’d go as far to say that the news is every U.S. citizen’s eyes. The show “First 48” puts out that Memphis is a Murder Capitol, the city is infested with crime. That’s far from the truth. The longer I stayed in Memphis the more grew a love for it and realized I had become a victim of, “Fake News”! Social and political issues will always find a way into my work. One of our Co-Producers and I are developing a spin-off Television Series. John, I think we’ll keep it going!

 

3 Being that there are countless ways in which you could either tackle or touch on the topic of racism, how quickly did the idea come together of the reverse world scenario?

Oh man! The idea came about two years ago. It was like the apple that fell and became the study for gravity. It was easy! In fact, I thought there had to be something like it already. And… IT WAS! A movie released in 94’, THE WHITE MAN’S BURDEN, starring Sidney Portiere and John Travolta. I had written MINORITY prior to watching that film, and it didn’t connect or reach nothing near my idea.

 

4 You have made a number of films – and been a finalist twice now at Film Prize. So, you are obviously doing something right. Do you always work with the same crew for the most part? What do you value most about those that you bring on board to work on your sets? 

Firstly, thank you so much! I love independent filmmaking because I can make what I want without sacrificing my vision at the expense of what works for a world-wide audience appeal. What I value most about those who work on my sets, is their ability to see what I see and work hard in collaboration to make the project its absolute best.

 

5 You have watched your film with an audience or audiences (that wasn’t entirely composed of friends, family, cast and crew) that were charged with the task of voting for their favorites (and therefore passing judgment on each film). Did that make that experience tougher than just watching it with people looking to be entertained, touched, or affected?

The adrenaline was real during the time I screened with an audience. I was so confident in the film. However, I wasn’t sure how people would react to the story and the content. We go into Film Prize wanting to win (I don’t know who doesn’t), but I really had my heart set on provoking people to think.

 

6 Popcorn or Candy?

Candy, I love it, but it runs out! Popcorn is everlasting. Refill please!