The pipeline from music video to feature film director isn’t discussed enough. Many beloved filmmakers started with music videos and commercials, from Spike Jones to Gus Van Sant to David Fincher.
Joining the ranks now is Aristotle Torres, who is known for beginning his career as the creative director for his college classmate J. Cole and going on to start the multi-media artist collective By Any Means, which produced and directed 70+ music videos for artists such as Big Sean, Justin Beiber, 2 Chainz, Busta Rhymes, Ludacris, and more. Torres expanded his already impressive portfolio by creating commercials for brands such as Starbucks, Red Bull, and Under Armour and writing and directing various short films. Now, he can add directing a SXSW Jury Award-winning feature film to the resume.
READ MORE: Fall Film Preview: 60+ Most Anticipated Movies To Watch
What was once a short film developed by Torres and the Sundance Labs in 2018, “Story Ave” follows the story of Kadir (Asante Blackk, known for breaking out in Ava DuVernay’s “When They See Us” series drama), a gifted kid from the South Bronx who loses his way following his brother’s death. Overcome with grief and struggling with school and family, he escapes into the world of graffiti gangs. When the boy tries to rob an MTA conductor (Luis Guzmán), the thwarted attempt compels the conductor to ask him to have a meal with him, which leads to conversation, friendship, and more.
“Story Ave” made its world premiere at the SXSW earlier this year, where it won a Special Jury Award for Cinematography. The film was shot by Bronx native Eric Branco (known for lensing “Clemency” and “The 40-Year-Old Version.” The film was directed and co-written by Torres alongside Bonsu Thompson. “Story Ave” stars Asante Blackk, Luis Guzmán, Alex Hibbert, Melvin Gregg, Coral Peña, Cassandra Freeman, and Hassan Johnson.
Here’s the official synopsis:
South Bronx teen Kadir (Asante Blackk) is a gifted visual artist who loses his way following the death of his younger brother. Overcome with grief and struggling with the pressures of school and family, he escapes into the thrilling yet dangerous world of graffiti gangs. To prove himself and join his neighborhood’s ruling gang, Kadir tries to rob no-nonsense MTA conductor Luis (Luis Guzmán) but is caught off guard when Luis agrees to give Kadir cash if he’ll sit down to have a meal with him. Following their conversation and the delicate, transformative friendship that grows out of it, Kadir sees for the first time how his artistic talent could lead to a better life.
Jamie Foxx, who currently stars in “The Burial,” which just premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, serves as a producer on this touching portrait of youth, which will be hitting theatres on September 29, 2023, via Kino Lorber. Alongside Foxx, “Story Ave” is produced by Torres, Lizzie Shapiro, Datari Turner, and executive produced by Guzmán, Michael D’Alto, Randal Sandler, Claude Amadeo, Chris Triana, Martin Cabrera, Robert Aguilar, Cemí Guzmán, Gus Deardoff and Jan McAdoo. Ahead of the theatrical release, catch the trailer below, which we are presenting exclusively.
