POPSUGAR chatted with R#J star Diego Tinoco about the dangers of social media, his role as Tybalt, and how he's not so different from On My Block's Cesar.
Every generation has their iteration of the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet, whether it s the titular 1968 film directed by Franco Zeffirelli or the iconic Baz Luhrmann-directed 1996 feature starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes. Now, there s
R#J, Carey Williams s bold technological take on the tragic tale of teenage lovers that spins the traditional story on its head. In the Gen-Z-centric adaptation, which premiered at the virtual Sundance Film Festival on Jan. 30, Williams poses the question of what would happen if Romeo and Juliet were members of the social media-savvy generation that have only lived in a world where everything happens online.
‘R#J’ Film Review: Shakespeare for Social Media? LOL, OK
Sundance 2021: Carey Williams’ ambitious attempt to adapt star-crossed lovers to Instagram feels awkward and instantly datedElizabeth Weitzman | January 30, 2021 @ 8:42 PM Last Updated: January 30, 2021 @ 9:17 PM
Charles Murphy/Sundance Institute
If every generation gets the “Romeo and Juliet” it deserves, well, Gen Z may need to wait a little longer for theirs. It probably won’t be Sundance entry “R#J,” which is so intently of-the-moment it almost feels dated before the credits roll.
For his first feature, director Carey Williams uses Screenlife in which the entire story unfolds on devices to retell Shakespeare’s timeless tale, with a few notable twists. This time, Romeo and Juliet fall in love while DMing each other emojis and gifs from “The Office.” Purists need not apply, of course, but that’s OK: the Bard can stand up to interpretations from any era. Then again, where’s the
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Currently Reading R#J Review: Confined to Digital Screens, Romeo and Juliet Update Feels More Like an Experiment Than a Movie
Carey Williams bold technological gamble finds some contemporary relevance but eschews narrative purpose for its unique setting.
Tomris Laffly, provided by
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Director: Carey Williams
With: Camaron Engels, Sydney Graham, Moe Irvin, RJ Cyler, Siddiq Saunderson, Francesca Noel, Maria Gabriela de Faria, Diego Tinoco, Russell Hornsby.
Running time: Running time: 91 MIN.
Courtesy of Sundance Institute
There are instances in director Carey Williams’ boldly experimental yet wearisome “R#J” that genuinely grasp the essence of romance, identity and existence in the age of social media. Those fleeting but relatable moments feel like major triumphs in Williams’ Gen Z-centric adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” a movie that unfolds almost entirely on electronic screens. And you get a taste of them enough times
50 Cent recruits Tasha Smith to direct episodes of ‘Black Mafia Family’
Tasha Smith (Photo credit: Shutterstock.com / Jamie Lamor Thompson)
Actress Tasha Smith is making big moves behind the camera and has signed on to direct multiple episodes of the upcoming Starz television series “Black Mafia Family.” The series, which features 50 Cent as the executive producer, will be based on the lives of drug kingpins Demetrius “Big Meech” Flenory and Terry “Southwest T” Flenory.
“Black Mafia Family” will feature Wood Harris, Steve Harris, Da’Vinchi and Russell Hornsby. Big Meech’s son, Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., will also portray his father in the series and rapper Kash Doll is part of the cast as well. An excited Smith posted the news on Instagram and tagged her cast and crew.