THE FILM
It’s not easy being a black cop. Your community doesn’t trust you, your colleagues are wary of you, and everyone assumes you hate NWA. And when the world is on edge waiting for a grand jury verdict on a high profile police case involving unarmed youth, you can bet all eyes are on you. For one black cop already struggling between duty and moral obligation, it only gets worse when he is profiled by his colleagues off-duty, nearly getting himself killed in the process – pushing him over the edge. Armed with the power of his badge, an antagonizing radio show for company, and some good old fashioned rage - the stage is set for a whirlwind day filled with vendetta and just desserts – as black cop targets the very community that justifies his colleagues –on a collision course with his own identity. Racial tension, law enforcement, and social media are the focus in this hyper active satire.
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RONNIE ROWE JR.
Ronnie has most recently come off a Canadian tour of Kim's Convenience where he had the opportunity to play four characters. Also re-occurred in: The Firm, The Strain and Dark Matter and made appearances on: Warehouse 13, Saving Hope, Murdoch Mysteries, The Expanse and Rogue.
He is very excited for the opportunity to play "Black Cop" in a mans struggle between duty and current events.
DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
BLACK COP stems from a simple question; what if a black cop, frustrated about the current stigma surrounding law enforcement, is driven to take action by doing what he believes is the direct repose to the social media judge and jury - giving them something else to "weigh in on"? The problem is this man lives on the edge of the coin, and each side has troubling consequences.
I think of BLACK COP as an opera of sorts ‐‐ a story where one character takes us on a roller coaster of grandiose melodrama. It’s a mix of real footage, narrative storytelling, with a touch of live theatre setting added in.
I would be lying if I said I wasn't profoundly affected by the current situation and relationship between my community and law enforcement. And sometimes it can be so scary it's funny. Tackling a story rooted in social issue can be daunting, but it can also be fun. It can be humorous, ironic, and entertaining‐ even if it may be uncomfortable at times. And course, there has to be a few biting questions in there too. And like any satire, it should pull no punches. But that’s what I do. I try to make work that asks hard questions, and sits in the grey. That’s what made me an artist in the first place. To ask, to question, and maybe even help something somewhere.