Nicki Micheaux – Summer of Violence

By starrymag | August 29, 2023

By: Dana Jacoviello

 

 

Q) First, congratulations on your first feature film. What inspired you to write the film Summer of Violence?

A) I happened to live in Denver during this particular summer and it always stuck with me. I never quite knew how to tell the story, but I thought poetry was a great way to reveal the world for my main character. And once Amanda Gorman came on the scene at the Biden Inauguration and poetry was trending – I knew I had to try again to make this film.

 

Q) Were you always in mind to direct the movie as well or did you eventually decide you had the best vision for it? 

A) Yes, I always wanted to direct this film. I wrote it so that I could direct it as my first film.

 

Q) Many pull from real life experience when making movies. Is there anything relatable to you, personally, with the film?

A) The troubled relationship between the father and the daughter pulled from a lot of the experiences in my life. It’s my hope that the audience can relate to this young woman trying to break free from his control and be her own person.

 

Q) What made you choose your location for Summer of Violence to take place? Why Denver, but when she moved to Los Angeles it seemed like she was free? 

A) I decided that because the event took place in Denver. It was inspired by the real-life events of the Summer of Violence.

 

Q) How involved were you when it came to the casting of the film?

A) VERY! I was involved every step of the way.

 

Q) What was it about actress Kasey Inez, who played the main character Naomi that made you want to cast her in this important role? 

A) She had such an innocence and a fire in her eyes at the same time. I knew she could bring Naomi to life.

 

Q) The father, Thomas, played by Damon Gupton was a completely different person as time went on in the movie. They essentially kept their daughter in a bubble, but he seemed to change his tune by the end. What intent did you want to come out of that drastic character change? 

A) I think we hope that we can all change and grow and be better as people. My intent was to show a man stuck in his ways and what it took to move him.

 

Q) When watching the film, what scene stands out to you as something that turned out even better from page to screen?

A) Definitely all the poetry. I really had no idea how it would work. It was all in my head. I’m so pleased with it all.

 

Q) As a black woman director in Hollywood, was Summer of Violence by any chance about sending a message to the lack of diversity and storytelling that people have been complaining about for years? 

A) I’m sending the message, banging on the wall, tapping on that glass ceiling. We have so many great stories to tell. I hope that audiences enjoy the film and that all people find the story relatable and that these stories are worth telling.

 

Q) The kiss right before Naomi’s best friend died, played by Madhulika Krishnan, was that meant to show that she actually was in love with Naomi and why she seemed so angry with her before her character was shot? 

A) Spoilers….

 

Q) You tell a story here with more than one important message. That being said, what do you want to stand out the most from Summer of Violence?

A) I don’t have a preference. I think different things will resonate with different people. Mostly I hope people see the power of love and family and how much we need those bonds to survive the trauma that gun violence brings.

 

Q) What are the other projects that you’ve been busy working on?

A) I’m very excited about a horror script and a sci-fi script I’m working on. Cannot wait to get back on set.