New show details growing pains of Haitian-American millennials
TV watchers well know the cinematic worlds of New York and L.A. But when it comes to Miami, us poor coach surfers are relegated to crime series, focusing on the city’s glitzy wealthy, with no hint of the SoFlo locals know and love.
Local filmmakers Edson Jean and Joshua Jean-Baptiste are just as bored with TV’s Miami, and are setting out to change that with their new web series, “#Josh” – the coming-of-age tale about a Haitian American millennial Miamian lost after the death of his mother, and forced to coexist with his promiscuous problematic cousin Wes, all while facing his fears of a human connection.
#Josh has just won the “#GetTheGreenlight” web contest from Project Greenlight, the popular Ben Affleck and Matt Damon HBO series which guides an aspiring filmmaker through the production process. Jean and Jean-Baptiste will get $25,000 for the show’s development, as well as distribution for their series.
Winning based on public votes, the show had stood out from its competitors for its witty portrayal of the tricky pitfalls of managing relationships online.
“[#Josh] revolves around social media and its effects on our generation,” says Jean in their pitch video. “Using motion graphics as a story-telling method, we’ll illustrate character interaction via mobile devices, web, etc., emerging viewers into the zeitgeist of the #Josh world.”
Most of all, #Josh is told through the eyes of a young Haitian American living in Miami, sensitively written by Jean and Jean-Baptiste based on their own experiences.
“[#Josh] has unique cultural representation,” says Jean. “How many TV or web series are told through the Haitian American perspective?”
The show, however, sets out to prove that just because a story’s protagonist may feature a minority community such as Haitian Americans and Caribbean-Americans, that doesn’t make its meaning any less relevant to American viewers.
“This is a universal story,” says Jean. “The journey in discovering oneself without a reliable male figure is something people can relate to.”
