JULIAN TURNER’S MAY

BY: Dante Fresse

Julian Turner‘s short film May screened at South by Southwest and stunned viewers as a powerful piece of narrative directed as a subtle drama. The film begins with a boy meeting with a woman — from a seemingly wealthier neighborhood — who has come to purchase drugs in a city park. This dealer-customer relationship is carried on through several scene changes, which show the two conversing about social and economic standings. Randolph, the young man, asks the woman what she does and she reveals that she is a French professor. Their relationship develops into an intimate state of confessions, where the two reveal secrets.

The bond between the two main characters is poignant and develops quickly alongside stunning directing by Julian Turner. The movement of time and space in this film is poetic and organically builds in concurrence with the flowering of Randolph’s and Genevieve’s relationship. The stark contrast lighting and clean cinematography grips the viewers and pulls you into a world which is dark and altogether beautiful. Turner’s depth is tested as the dialogue unfolds, connecting Randolph and Genevieve more and more as they do drugs together and explore each other’s minds.

Genevieve’s character carries the plot with a strong performance. The role is played by Maria Dizzia from Orange is the New Black. She does an excellent job and shows the stress of being a middle aged professor who is in the process of finding herself. Randolph is played by Azikiwea Green, who is confident and poised in his role. The duo is magnetic on screen, captivating the eye of the viewer and charming their hearts as two people demonstrate how age can not define one’s mindset or place in life. Turner carries this out through his staging and spacing, pulling the actors closer together as the scenes unfold into one another. This film is a smash and PROVOKR loves every second of it. Turner’s planned for another short film to be released this year. After May, we’re looking forward to it and hope you are too.