The Nickle Boys movie is based on two young black boys, who formed an inseparable bond, while overcoming abuse at a historic reform school, during the Jim Crow era.
The movie is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel with the same name, and the tragic and true history behind racist reform schools in America. What caught my eye about the movie, was the sensory overload (in the best way) through Jomo Fray’s magical cinematography.
The film heavily leans on a.s.m.r. and captivating shots, that could easily be used for a campaign. While speaking to Jomo on the red carpet, he shared that his passion for noticing the details started in his youth, when he was more focused on the antagonists instead of the protagonists. Instead of focusing as most would on the person speaking in the room, he was drawn to the reactions of the others. He would concentrate on their body language and facial expressions to get the full story, which later impacted him as a creator.
The second thing that caught my attention was the very unique point of view showcased in the film. Viewers are visually placed in the main character’s body and we start to see the world differently. This transition of the lens creates a sense of deep empathy and understanding that transcends the screen. We only see how “we look” through fast glimmers from reflections, which I found highly intriguing. “Nickel Boys” is an impactful emotional expression of empathy through social justice, at its core.
