#FilmReview: 'Naz & Maalik'
- Feb 2, 2016
- 3 min read
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a decent black gay movie, so I jumped on the chance when asked to review 'Naz and Maalik'. Having watched 'Noah’s Arc' back in the day, 'DL Chronicles', 'The Skinny' and so many more, I’d like to think of myself a bit of a connoisseur. There are always things I look for when watching same sex characters interact on screen and it was no different this time.
'Naz and Maalik' is the story of two closeted African American best friends, set on the streets of Bedford-Stuy, Brooklyn, NY. Directed and written by Jay Dockendorf, 'Naz & Maalik' is his first narrative feature and has already won a IWC Filmmaker Award. Kerwin Johnson Jr plays Naz, and Curtiss Cook Jr plays Maalik who I believe both show an effortless style to their acting.
This movie has been 3 years in the making; the funding towards the movie began back in early November with a Kickstarter campaign, and the team have steady put all their efforts into raising awareness and raising the money to get this great movie off the ground.
'Naz & Maalik' has a cool, and slightly playful undertone to it brought on by the great connection between the two leads. Cool background beats compliment and set the tone during the early scenes, showing how effortless the relationship is between these young guys. It's like taking a journey with them throughout the day. I like the bareness of it; you could hear the passing conversation, people walking the streets and cars going by, and you are involved.
The young men spend the day philosophising, attending mosque, hustling small items to make some coins, all the while chatting and we quickly learn both their characteristics. Naz is the more conscious, more reserved and concerned one, whereas Maalik is much more outgoing and confident in his skin. I think they have great chemistry and jelled so well as friends, from the outside looking in you wouldn't suspect they were lovers, hence living life closeted.
In getting to know them, we see them relate as friends and lovers and I think it shows just how easy it can be to fall in love. They bicker and argue as lovers often do, but go right back to being friends. They express their love for each other in cute and subtle ways so as not to get caught but even that gets them caught (Naz isn’t very good at hiding!)
I really enjoyed the way it was filmed, it had a Spike Lee-esque feel about it and certainly reminded me of his earlier movies like 'She’s Gotta Have It' (in particular the street hustling!)
The movie was filmed over an entire day and it starts from being a really chilled afternoon and progressively gets more intense as lingering FBI agent Sarah Mickell ruins their afternoon. She pursues them around the city all day, watching and questioning their moves after her undercover counterpart attempts to sell them a gun. She literally follows them, almost waiting to catch them out.
Personally, I found the insertion of this sub-plot a bit weak. Slightly underdeveloped and certainly does not bring into context how intense things were for muslins post 9/11. Without context, you would have little understanding as to why that subplot is relevant and I think for something that apparently happens quite frequently, I would have loved to see this really played out. It just seemed like an add on to give the movie dimension.
I think for viewers outside the United States, we are given an insight into something that we cannot relate to. Although Muslims are the target for many hate crimes, those living in the States encounter it on a different level, simply because of the constant reminder of the Twin Towers floats over NY like a ghost. All they need to do is sneeze wrong. I think the movie captures a side to the complexities of juggling a Muslim identity and being a black gay man. Even more so a black Muslim gay man, post 9/11. Talk about intersectionality on 100.
If you’re looking for a movie with great leads and a refreshing angle on black gay love, check out 'Naz & Maalik'. Support this intimate story of secrecy, trust and love.
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