Best Kept Secret

I saw this film and I was pleasantly surprised at its quality, the method in which the story was presented, the cinematography and the acting. The film had a New York feel to it, gritty and street smart, with a Los Angeles backdrop, which gave the audience a perspective of LA rarely seen in movies. The characters were well developed and the direction displayed talent often lacking in short films. Malik showed a vision of love between a man and a woman that all women want, and then shattered it. Rarely do we find a brother willing to go out on a limb to show the complexities of some of our brothers in relationship. Unfortunately, someone is living that reality right now, and that's what makes it real. Good job!

Poignant performance by lead actress, BEST KEPT SECRET is a well directed short film that touches on a topic that is not really talked about. Malik Booth exposes this controversial subject in a well crafted short that allows you to feel a part of the relationship of this story. Films like this are important to every community as this topic makes the viewer think hard about this situation that many would rather not discuss, let alone watch on the screen. I would have liked to see this story told on film rather than in High Definition, but the performances of the actors and the quality of the storytelling surpass my technical issues with this short. I would like to see what would happen if the story was longer. Malik Booth does a good job of bringing you into the story and allowing the viewer to care about the characters.

I have now seen BEST KEPT SECRET twice and it has truly captured my heart. The quality of the cinematography and direction draws you in from the first second. The actors continue to engage you with their movement and dialogue as they take you on a journey into their lives. Cassandra seeps with silent but powerful emotions of pain, hurt, frustration and betrayal when she discovers the secret.

I was truly impressed with how the story was told. It wasn't told in an exploitive manner but rather in a respectful, discrete way without compromising the ability to capture the viewers' attention.

I feel that it is a step in the right direction for black cinema. It shows that filmmakers of color can remove the shackles of the stereotypes placed on them and create an intelligent, artistic piece that retains timeless integrity.