I’ve just witnessed a remarkable film. “A Thousand and One” (2023) is the feature-length debut of African-American female director A.V. Rockwell, produced by Focus Features.
Teyana Taylor delivers a commanding performance as a young Harlem mother who illegally shelters a boy, believed to be her only child, from a facility she once had to relinquish. She raises him alongside her ex-convict boyfriend. Three actors portray her son Terry at different ages, each of them impressively skilled. The ever-present Will Catlett gives a well-rounded, passionate performance as the father who secretly starts another family and tragically dies of cancer at a young age.
This film serves as a prime example of a well-crafted story created under a strong directorial vision. The screenplay and direction are densely layered, with a quiet observational style reminiscent of Japanese and Asian dramas. The meticulously crafted static visuals leave nothing to be desired.
The score, composed by the previously unknown Gary Gunn, features a refreshing array of tracks that build upon the sampling-inspired style of African-American music. It evokes a certain A24-esque quality, perhaps even representing a new trend in indie film scores created by hip-hop artists.