Director Marcellus Cox Explains His Intentions Behind Feature Debut ‘Mickey Hardaway’

Marcellus Cox has an impressive collection of short films under his belt and has been nominated for numerous awards, but his latest film, Mickey Hardaway, now showing on Prime, is his first full-length venture, and it is a film that certainly packs a punch.

Shot in stylish monochrome, which disguises the low-budget production, the film echoes Charles Burnett’s seminal Killer of Sheep (1978) and pays homage to the use of Working-Class L.A. suburbs and performances in a social realist style. In certain shots it even has touches of Francis Ford Coppola’s Rumblefish (1983).

The story is told through the meetings of a young black cartoonist and his therapist. Flashbacks reveal Mickey’s (Rashad Hunter) difficult childhood at the hands of school bullies and an abusive father, and later at the hands of his exploitative boss, who sets Mickey up in business only to bring him crashing down again. As Mickey’s life enters a downward spiral, we are drawn down with him. The film works on a personal level, with Mickey’s story of struggle appealing to anyone who has had to fight the powers that be to find success and realize their dreams. It also has a more universal message of racial oppression, signposted in the drawings of Malcolm X, Angela Davis and other leading figures in black history that accompany the end titles.

Much like Burnett’s work, the film has a natural beauty but is excessively bleak and no matter how much we want it, there appears to be no visible light at the end of Mickey’s tunnel.

I share with Marcellus my recognition of his film Killer of Sheep…

Marcellus Cox: “That’s in my Top 3 films of all time, right after Taxi Driver & Ivan’s Childhood. It really means the world to me and was a massive influence, and you’re one of the very few reviewers who picked up on that, so that put a huge smile on my face, that was so unbelievable to hear.”

It does feel like a very personal film, and the character of Mickey is so well realized I can’t help but wonder how autobiographical the story is.

“It’s not autobiographical, but I have used past events from my own life as well as spending over a year meeting with Artists and hearing their stories as well as survivors of generational and domestic violence and abuse, and I’ve used those accounts to fill out my character development for not only Mickey but the universe around him.”

Mickey Hardaway Poster

Whilst the film is very accomplished it also has the freshness of the work of a new director. I asked Marcellus what made him want to be a filmmaker.

“I’ve wanted to be a Filmmaker since I was a kid; it’s the only profession that allows you to visually showcase what’s in your heart and soul. The ability to revel to the world how you see if and what influences you. I couldn’t imagine myself in any other field of work; it’s a true calling that simply can’t be duplicated.”

Alongside Burnett and Coppola, there are also similarities to Spike Lee’s early work. I ask Marcellus who his influences are.

“For myself personally, I’ve always been influenced by Charles Burnett, Robert Altman & Stanley Kramer the most. But I do have a much massive longer list I could get into more, but I honestly don’t think will have enough time.”

One of the most successful aspects of the film is the performances from a largely young cast, a make-or-break factor in low-budget, independent filmmaking. Marcellus explains how he landed such a strong cast.

“I got lucky (he laughs). With Stephen Cofield Jr & David Chattam, I’ve worked with the two of them previously, and it was not a hard decision for me to lean on them and their incredible talents. In terms of our main lead, Rashad Hunter, I had to go through a search, which was very difficult because none of the actors had the emotional impact, but the physical aspect of what Mickey was supposed to be and when I found Rashad, it was the greatest blessing possible to bring my vision to life. I most definitely got lucky.”

Finally, I ask Marcellus what he wants his audience to take away from the film.

“I want them to know, especially dreamers, that you can’t allow this world to dictate your faith no matter how hard things get, and I know how hard it can be. I’ve been there.”

The film is incredibly thought-provoking and with a hard-hitting message, and is definitely worth investing your time in. It also shows signs of a bright future for this talented director.

Mickey Hardaway is currently showing on Prime Video. Find out more about Marcellus right here.

Director / Producer: Marcellus Cox
Starring: Rashad Hunter, Stephen Cofield Jnr, Ashley Parchment, Samuel Whitehill
Production Company: Indie Rights
Distributed by: Indie Rights
Release Date: Streaming Now
Run Time: 106 mins