Five reasons to check out Torn: Dark Bullets
1. TODAY’S HEADLINES
Shot in 2018, Torn: Dark Bullets’ plot seems inspired by today’s headlines. In the film, a veteran white policeman shoots an unarmed black teenager. Though acquitted of murder, the cop’s life and career spiral out of control. The situation becomes more fraught when the dead boy’s parents decide to sue the officer, who then confronts the family.
2. PASSION PROJECT
“We shot this film way before any of the current BLM protests started,” writes Scott Bailey of production company Imaginere Entertainment. “This was a passion project for many of the people in front of the camera and behind.”
3. ALL-CANADIAN PRODUCTION
Although set in the U.S., the movie was made by a group of veteran Canadian filmmakers and actors. Film and TV fight coordinator Dan Rizzuto directed from his screenplay with Joshua Mazerolle. The cast includes Sam Vincent, Dexter Bell, William Stewart and Karen Holness.
4. FESTIVAL FAVOURITE
Released on numerous platforms in early April, Torn: Dark Bullets has been generating buzz, and the filmmakers have received invitations to over 70 film festivals worldwide. Accolades include Best Feature winner at New York Movie Awards, Venice Film Awards, and Florence Film Awards.
5. ‘DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES’
Rizzuto says that growing up, he saw many of his closest friends experience racism firsthand. “There were several occasions that I witnessed my friends being treated differently than I was, even though I was in the exact same socio-economic situation as they were,” the director says. “I created this film because I want to show people different perspectives on the issue of police and race relations.”