Velvet Jesus Starring Ernest Harden Jr. and Jensen Atwood Premieres Live at the California African American Museum

Los Angeles, California Sep 8, 2021 (Issuewire.com)  - "Velvet Jesus" starring Ernest Harden, Jr. and Jensen Atwood premieres on Friday, Sept. 10 at 6 pm at the California African American Museum, 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA 90037. Media check-in 5 pm. Red Carpet 6 to 7 pm. VIP Reception 7 to 8 pm. Screening at 8 pm. Tickets are available on Eventbrite. RSVP is mandatory. COVID protocol will be enforced.

The dramatic feature film written and executive produced by Charles McWells reveals an unapologetic look at victims and accusers in a #MenTooMovement experience. "Velvet Jesus has elements of my real-life journey,“ said McWells who wrote the successful stage play version of Velvet Jesus a few years ago. "But I think this new story is much harder hitting because it takes us to the unseen side of the #MeToo movement for men."

Film cast and crew confirmed: the film’s writer/producer/actor Charles McWells, directors Anthony Bawn and Spencer Michael Collins IV. Film’s cast Ernest Harden Jr. (They, White Men Can’t Jump), Jensen Atwood (Their Eyes Were Watching God, Noah’s Arc, Sasha Lanes), Melvin Ward (Once Upon a Lifetime, Dhar Mann), Carter Young (Danger Force), Frankie Blair (The Prodigal Son (IV), Anthony Treme (Heist, Family Time), Rahmaan Patterson (Operation Seawolf), Shaun Dixon (The Exit Row), Hunter Dixon (Lost in the Moment), and Jordan Tanzilli-Hamm.

Celebrities confirmed: Celebrities confirmed: TV legend Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons); Ptosha Storey (The Oval); Emmy nominee Janeshia Adams-Ginyard (Black Panther); Judge Harvey Brownstone (Harvey Brownstone Interviews), Eugena Washington (America's Top Model, Playboy Playmate); Alexandra Jordan Grey (Empire, Transparent, Chicago Med); Arrington Foster (The Family Business); Parnell Damone Marcano (Greenleaf); Rodney Chester (Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom, As I Am); Roger Mosley (Magnum PI); Donald Welch (playwright); Jacob Lusk (American Idol, The Circling); Kim Yarbrough (The Voice, Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse); Jeryl Prescott (All the Queens Men, Walking Dead, American KoKo, and Ray Donovan); Michael Colyar (The Rich and the Ruthless); Amin Joseph (FX's, "Snowfall"); Slink Johnson (Adult Swim's, "Black Jesus" / "GTA5"); Mike Strong (BET+, "All the Queen's Men"); Kevin Hawkins (R&B artist); Alonzo (Pop artist); TayF3rd (Uncle Snoop's Army, Hip Hop artist); Lester Speight (Gears of War); Charlotte Plummer (Ginger); Helen Sanders (The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson); Ernest Thomas (What’s Happening, Everybody Hates Chris); Patrick Faucette (Haves and Have Nots); California Governor Candidate Patrick Kilpatrick (The Circuit); Sheldon Bailey (Space Jam, Animal Kingdom); Charyse Monet (Ginger, Exodus of the Prodigal Son); Petri Byrd (Judge Judy); AzMarie Livingston (Empire, The Purge); Wendell James (Raising Whitley); Renda Pettis (Rent); Tyrone Dubose (TV One Channel “Unsung”); Candace Nicholas Lippman (Blindspotting, Good Trouble); and more

Directors and Executive Producers Bawn and Collins artistically bring McWells' script to life as the duo unfolds the gut-wrenching story of a 30-year-old African American man, Carl (Jensen Atwood) who is forced to deal with the echoes of his past. In an attempt to silence the emotional demons that have haunted him his entire life, he decides to confront the man who he holds responsible for his torment. Though given his diminished mental state, can it be trusted that Vernon Chambers (Ernest Harden, Jr.) really did what Carl accused him of, or is it all a figment of Carl’s confused imagination? And if he did, what is the price Vernon should pay for robbing Carl of his childhood?

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Collins states, "I remember when Charles brought me this project. I was excited because it was based on a subject that we very seldom talk about especially in the Black community and most certainly among Black men. Even though statistics show that every one in six Black men has been sexually assaulted and I am one of those six. It’s always been a dirty secret. The #MeToo movement gave us permission to talk about it amongst women."

"But it’s never been something that we can talk about amongst men (more specifically not Black men). It’s not something that we openly talk about, but it is something that happens to men, as well as women. A lot of Black men have experienced this, but we don’t talk about it because of the stigma attached and the notion that everyone will assume that if you’re a straight person, you’re gay and if you’re gay, you like it. So, when Charles McWells gave me the opportunity to tell this story in a different way, I jumped at the opportunity to do it."

Velvet Jesus created a platform to start a much-needed dialogue in vulnerable communities. As a result, B.L.A.C. Mail Productions and VIM Media announced a partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Arts & Culture. "Our plan is to use this film as a tool in a series of panel discussions and workshops to address mental wellness, HIV/AIDS Education, and youth to adult trauma in Black and Brown communities," said Collins.

"This is the first project of its kind, and we are excited to be a part of something that
creates a platform to have open and safe communication that will give solutions to those suffering from PTSD, anxiety, and depression caused by rape & molestation," said Brawn.

For talent submissions, press credentials, and/or interview opportunities with the writer, directors, or cast, please contact Marie Lemelle/Platinum Star PR at 213-276-7827 or MarieLemelle@PlatinumStarPR.com.

Media Contact

Marie Lemelle MarieLemelle@platinumstarmediagroup.com 3238539035 http://www.platinumstarmediagroup.com