Wolf

Full Admission: I was the Casting Director for this film. However, I've worked on a lot of projects, some I'll tell you about, some I won't, and some I can't wait to tell everyone. Wolf is a project with a great story, impactful ideas, and stellar performances. Wolf is the kind of film that many will go back and watch after it's creator Ya'Ke Smith has reached stardom in 3 or 4 years. Wolf is the kind of film that audiences will discover when they back-track it's leading man, the young Jordan Cooper, after he captures their attention with a less controversial main-stream hit! Wolf is the kind of film that you don't expect someone, or an entire group of people, to have the courage to make, but then you watch it. It's real, it's immediate, it's not-typical, and it's a must see. Watch it for the performances, or the direction, or the honest and unflinching narrative...whatever reason compels you to watch Wolf, follow that reason, and it will lead you into a captivating film. If you don't agree, please let me know...

WOLF treats each character like a real human being. No "Hollywood" foolishness here ----

just real people dealing with real life problems and sufferings.

Director, Ya'Ke Smith, doesn't preach at you, but simply and beautifully gives you a view into subject matter that is rarely screened and rarely dealt with this honestly.

This film is one that will strike up conversations and make you think about this important issue for a long time.

Smith hit a home run! Extremely well-done cinema!

This is an indie that definitely deserves a distribution deal

Wolf is an emotionally-charged but sensitive depiction of a family whose son is seduced by a church official. It's hard to believe that this is the first feature film for Jordan Cooper (as Carl, the teen-aged son) and Shelton Jolivette (as the complicated father), who play their parts convincingly among a skillful cast.

Cooper and Jolivette's performances--in a very natural and believable way--reflect the confusing mix of emotions and impulses that we imagine family members in this horrible situation would undergo. The father needs understanding, education, revenge and time both with and away from his son. Carl, in turn, expresses his need to take control of an unmanageable life in self-destructive ways that also hurt others as he simultaneously seeks support and withdraws from family and friends. Mikala Gibson does a fine job as the mother and wife, trapped between her unconditional love for her son and the powerful emotions of a father who vacillates between his obvious love for Carl and his impulses for vengeance and to numb himself to the pain.

I was so pleased to share how these performances deeply touched me with these fine young actors and writer/director Ya'Ke Smith in person at the Little Rock Film Festival on June 3, 2012. Others in the audience, including a police detective who has investigated sex abuse cases for 14 years, praised the film and its cast and crew for their courage and accurate portrayals.

At that showing, Smith explained that he has channeled his life as a member of the church community, episodes of sexual abuse that friends have shared with him and many hours of research into a believable and sensitive depiction of a subject many of us don't want to talk about--but need to. The film does contain a very few seconds that suggest illegal activity, but only to make its point and move the plot forward; the brief scene isn't graphic and only ensures that viewers understand what happened. There's no nudity or sense of exploitation or sensationalism to create hype or drum up controversy for the film--the storytelling and imagery are honest and straightforward.

Smith and the cast handle the film's difficult subject matter with intelligence and sensitivity, making Wolf, as Ya'Ke said, a perfect "conversation starter" for families, church groups and communities. We must all become willing to face these hurtful truths within our culture if we're ever to have hope of reducing the problem of sexual abuse and helping the victims on a healing path. Wolf can become a tool toward that end.

I thoroughly enjoyed "Wolf". The movie is not only well written but also very well directed. When you are finished watching this movie you may find yourself wanting to volunteer at an organization that helps victims and the families of crime such as those portrayed in this movie.

The family dynamics are greatly portrayed in this movie. The performance of the actors draws the audience into the story in a gradual emotion build. You will feel yourself experiencing the emotions of each of the characters including the antagonist in the story line.

Mikala Gibson shines in this movie in the character of Nona. Nona is caught between two extremes of feelings of both anger and compassion and Mikala does an excellent drawing the audience into feeling the rage that a mother would feel in this situation and compassion and longing to comfort their child.

Irma P. Hall too draws the audience into the film in her "no-nonsense grandmother" character, Brenda. Brenda represents a lot of the tradition that goes on in the church. The film is written in such a way that Brenda's responses to some issues are surprising to the audience.

When you get a chance to see this movie at a film festival near you be sure to bring tissues. I will also warn future viewers to beware of the language in the film if you are thinking of bringing teenagers and or small children, don't do it unless you are ready to talk about the hard hitting subject matter.

"WOLF" addresses one of the darkest areas of religion. Yes, darkness is a part of light... and Ya'Ke has written/directed a film that exposes the shadows the we're so ashamed of. Please know that hidden within these shadows are innocent boys & girls... men & women who came looking for the light. They (however) have been forced to live their lives in the most painful place anyone could ever imagine. "WOLF" approaches the darkness with dignity and brings it to the light of the big screen. The inappropriate sexual acts are not the driving force behind the movie. (Thank you Ya'Ke) The pain without prejudice that exposes the weaknesses in us all is the emotion that drives this "it's about d... time" relevant motion picture.