Detroit’s Star Director Lawrence Lamont Brings Hollywood Home with ‘One of Them Days’ Local Premiere Before Debut Jan 17th

Director Lawrence Lamont, at Shinola Hotel

‘One of Them Days’ is a wild twist of betrayal, desperation, and friendship, best friends Dreux, played by Emmy award-winning actress Keke Palmer, and Alyssa, played by Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Sza, find themselves scrambling to save their home and their friendship after Alyssa’s boyfriend played by Joshua David Neal aimlessly spends their rent money. What follows is a chaotic, extreme, hilarious, and often questionable scheme to scrape together the $1500 to pay their landlord that tests their resourcefulness, loyalty, and limits as the eviction clock ticks louder by the second.

Detroit, long celebrated for its musical roots and industrial legacy, is increasingly becoming a hub for fresh cinematic talent. At the heart of this creative renaissance is Lawrence Lamont, who previously directed music videos for Big Sean, J. Cole, and Jhene Aiko, to name a few, who can now add feature film directors to the list with the film ‘One of Them Days’.

Before moving to Los Angeles, Lamont’s first foray into storytelling came in high school. He grew up on the east side of Detroit and graduated from Southfield High School, where he developed a passion for visual arts and music videos, also being inspired by his teacher, the late Brenda Perryman. Armed with a camera and a dream, he began directing short films and music videos for local artists, honing his craft with each project.

What sets Lamont apart isn’t just his technical skill or eye for visuals; it’s his commitment to telling stories that matter, Black stories that matter, much like his recent film tackling themes of identity, community, and resilience despite struggle, with a narrative style that is as poignant as it is visually striking but feels likes relatable.

“We (Black people) must be in charge of how we look on screen,” Lamont said.

“That is key. I wish there were more Black people on the board. But fighting for the film incentives here in Detroit is crazy because this is one of the Blackest cities, right? So it’s so important that we write our own stories.”

Despite his growing fame, Lamont remains deeply connected to his hometown. He currently sits on the Michigan Film Industry Association (MiFIA) board, a nonprofit industry association representing Michigan’s film, television, and media industry. Lamont is the only Black person currently serving on the board.

Lamont highlighted that Hollywood loses $30 billion a year on unmade Black stories but doesn’t take the opportunity to direct ‘One of Them Days’ for granted.

“Losing that much money on projects they just don’t do is wild. So, it’s rare that we even get these types of opportunities because this was (‘One of Them Days’) an original script. That doesn’t happen often; I think it’s pivotal,” Lamont said.

“Working with somebody like Issa Rae, she’s at the forefront, making sure our stories are authentic, on the big screen, on a little screen, off-screen. So whenever I do Black stories, I’m going to make sure it’s all the things because being from Detroit, we real ones.”

‘One of Them Days’ was written by Syreeta Singleton and shot in 21 days. Its heavy-hitter cast included comedians Katt Williams, Lil Rel Howery, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and Janelle James. Lamont highlighted the importance of “putting your money where your mouth is in order to make art” and paying Black actors and actresses their worth.

“You can see, of course, a lot of indie things and things shot with low budgets that are incredible, but when dealing with a film like this was such an all-star cast, you got to pay people,” Lamont said.

“It really was important for us to make sure we utilized all that money and put it on the screen.”

As he continues to ascend in the film industry, Lamont is showing no signs of slowing down. This film project isn’t the first time he worked with Issa Rae. He directed two episodes of the HBO hit series ‘Rap Sh*t’ but wants to work with the likes of Kerry Washington, Denzel Washington, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Regina King, to name a few.

Lamont’s rise from Detroit to the forefront of the film industry is a testament to the power of perseverance, vision, and staying true to one’s roots. With every project, he not only elevates his craft but also shines a spotlight on the vibrant creativity of his hometown.

In an era when authentic storytelling is more crucial than ever, especially for minorities, Lamont stands as a pillar lighting the path for those to follow, which proves that great art can come from anywhere and that Detroit’s stories deserve a place on the world stage.

One of his upcoming projects, a crime drama television show set in Detroit, will explore the city’s rich history through the lens of fictionalized characters, blending elements of drama, comedy, and heart.

“It will be incredible. I also want to do my second movie. I want to raise the stakes. I want to do a big action film,” Lamont said.

“I will always have something with some comedy and heart. Even with drama, you have to laugh at some moments, and it’s going be heartfelt, but I’m always going to make you feel like there’s hope when you leave the theater.”

‘One of Them Days’ is in theaters January 17th.

 

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