F I L M M A K E R ’ S B I O G R A P H Y
A Detroit native, writer/producer/director, Rod Gailes OBC is a University of Michigan graduate and alum of the prestigious NYU Graduate Film Program, alma mater of noted filmmakers, Jim Jarmush, Spike Lee and Oliver Stone. Throughout his 15-year career, OBC has built a reputation in the independent film, educational, and theatre communities as a provocative storyteller with an agenda for social change.
OBC began directing acclaimed original productions in the early nineties (THE PEOPLE COULD FLY, COLORS: Brothers Beneath the Skin, SOUL STRETCH). He moved on to groundbreaking work in New York’s underground theatre community culminating in the upcoming Off Broadway production, “UNSPEAKABLE,” an unauthorized dramatization of the life of legendary comedian, Richard Pryor. His social agenda extends to music as well with the upcoming New York workshop production of COLORS: Dream Of the Masta. A theatrical experience in the spirit of “HAIR”, this original song cycle uses rock, pop, folk,
gospel, and contemporary art song to chronicle the American social and political journey to reach its higher self.
In the film realm, OBC has written, produced, and directed several shorts including his most noted work to date, “Twin Cousins.” Recently showcased during BET J’s The Best Shorts television series, the film was also honored as a Regional Finalist in the Student Academy Awards, winner of the 1999 HBO Short Film Competition, and by a host of award granting organizations.
While presenting lectures for Universities and organizations around the country, OBC has continued to establish himself as a socially conscious artist whose work is rooted in community building. “pharaoh jones,” a short drawn from his eponymous feature script, paints a naked picture of life behind the wall of Black fraternity culture and the character building moral challenges its initiates face. Having worked under noted social and film provocateurs, Elise Bryant, Spike Lee, and OyamO, approaching sensitive issues with poignancy and directness is the hallmark of his work. Touring colleges around the nation, the film has furthered his reputation as a provocative storyteller of rare honesty.
OBC is currently lives and works in New York City, where he is in post-production with two feature films, “Camouflage” and “6 Things I Never Told You”. He is also executive producer of an HIV Awareness campaign directed by the LEAGUE of AWARENESS, a NY based, underground film collective.
Filmmakers agree:
Spike Lee calls "Twin Cousins," A beautifully photographed,
masterfully directed portrait of childhood. Well done!"
Rod Gailes OBC is a spirited filmmaker with tremendous breakout potential. He is definitely one to watch.
- John Singleton -
Rare. Real. Authentic. I loved everything about every frame.
- Reginald Hudlin -
Candid, provocative depictions of Black men in fraternity life, devoid of stereotypes and exaggerations, are rare in today’s media. It is with a passion to change this reality that award winning filmmaker, Rod Gailes OBC, uses pharaoh jones (a 30-minute short film excerpted from the original feature length screenplay of the same name) to discuss the issues most misunderstood and controversial about Black Greek life and the college experience.
Stepping, partying, brotherhood, community service, mind games and morality – these are the everyday challenges in the lives of the “pharaohs”, pledges on line for The Fraternal Alliance of RA, a fictional fraternity not unlike those seen on college campusesnationwide.
More than just an exposé on Black fraternity life, this high-energy film aims to raise the most glaring yet hidden questions that today's college students face – questions not simply isolated to the Black Greek world.
The challenge of moral development when subject to "group think" pressures, the sexual use of women for the purposes of male-bonding, the use of ritual in human developmentand socialization, the college man’s debt to chivalry in a world aspiring to gender equality: How does a man maintain his personal integrity when faced with these and other challenges? Come explore in our candid, post screening dialogue.
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S Y N O P S I S
After a live step show salute to Black women, Willis Jones and his 4 line brothers are facedwith a strong challenge to their moral consciousness, respect for women, and knowledgeof self. With community, leadership, and service as the cornerstones of his fraternity, Butch, the Dean of Pledges, tests one of the most distinguishing elements of a man for others: strength of character. Does “pharaoh willis jones” possess the moral fiber RA is
looking for? Will he sacrifice his principles for the sake of unity or stand his ground alone?
How does one maintain personal integrity amidst the pressure of unified thinking gone astray? The pharaohs take you on a journey through one of their most challenging nights on line. Will they rise and pledge to be the men they say they are? Individuals vs. the group, right vs. wrong, Morality vs. Immorality: these are the issues OBC explores in this high-energy short.
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B O O K I N G O P T I O N S
pharaoh jones is a provocative look behind the wall of Black fraternity life and the character building challenges initiates into this world face. It offers social commentary in a context that sparks dialogue, debate, and, most importantly, change. Screening options for pharaoh jones include the following educational formats:
Screening & Discussion
• Total time approximately 1.5 – 2 hours
• A 30 minute screen of the film
• A 1 – 1.5 hour post film intimate discussion with film’s director
• Custom design of marketing collateral for promotions of film screening & intimate discussion
Social Change Workshop
• Total time approximately 3.5 – 4 hours
• A 30 minute screen of the film
• A 1 – 1.5 hour post film intimate discussion with film’s director
• Custom design of marketing collateral for local promotions of film screening & intimate discussion
• A 1.5 – 2 hour workshop for up to 30 participants; workshop includes an in-depth and comprehensive exploration of the issues presented in the film
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C O N T A C T I N F O R M A T I O N
For pricing and additional information on booking screening events please contact:
