On October 23, the 60th Chicago International Film Festival hosted a screening of Nickel Boys at Music Box Theatre, complete with a red carpet. Directed by RaMell Ross, this powerful film is based on Colson Whitehead’s novel, telling the tough, true story of the Dozier School in Florida—a now-closed institution where many abuses were uncovered. The story follows Elwood Curtis, played by Ethan Herisse, and his friend Jack Turner, played by Brandon Wilson.
This article touches on some intense scenes that could be triggering for some readers.
“Nickel Boys chose me,” Ross joked when asked why he decided to create this novel into a film. He explained that when meeting with Plan B Entertainment, he had the opportunity to read the book. “The way Colson [Whitehead] wrote it is more explanatory than descriptive, so it allows you to imagine with your own images” he said. This unique style inspired Ross even more to bring the story to life on screen.
The cinematography in Nickel Boys is impressive with its compelling visuals and thoughtful use of point-of-view shots, drawing the audience intimately into the characters’ experiences. It opens with a young Elwood and his loving relationship with his Nana. The backdrop of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches on television and radio set the historical context during the Jim Crow era, creating a nostalgic yet uneasy atmosphere. As the film progresses, the tone shifts dramatically when Elwood is sent to Nickel Academy, marked by a darker color palette that evokes an unsettling mood.
The separation of White and Black children at the academy is depicted with chilling clarity, especially in a scene where staff struggle to choose where to place a biracial boy. The film takes a darker turn when Elwood is taken by the academy’s leaders and confronted with the horrific reality of physical abuse, embodying the history faced by African Americans. While we don’t see every detail of the violence, the boy’s journey and the emotional impact hits hard, making you empathize with Elwood and the other boy’s suffering.
The film gives you an experience of what it looks like to have the
-RaMell Ross
camera inside a person’s body.”
Nickel Boys is a must-see for its remarkable cinematography and immersive storytelling, offering a unique perspective on the abuse suffered by children at the Dozier School. The film captures the struggle for justice, leaving viewers invested in Elwood and Turner’s journeys and the fight against systemic discrimination. The ending, while somewhat open-ended, keeps the dialogue alive about racial injustice faced by people of color.
Following the trajectory of human experience, there is no closure and the story
-RaMell Ross
is on-going. We’re meant to reflect back and interpret our current situation
[…] which can give us a new meaning.”
If you missed it at the festival, you’ll be able to see Nickel Boys when it releases on December 13, 2024, through Amazon MGM Studios. You can check out our other interviews with RaMell Ross on the red carpet by clicking here.
