‘Think KIDS meets Midnight Cowboy.’
Independent movies are something that I will always admire. It is not just the viewing part of it I love either, it is the people who create them as well. As to make an Independent Film can sometimes mean putting everything you have into it even knowing there is always a risk. That is a true dedication and I admire anyone who can do that.
That is why if I am offered the chance to promote or review an Independent Film I will gladly take it. I want all those hard hours of work and sleepless nights to pay off. That is why I am here to tell you about Ekaj.
‘EKAJ is a story shared between two drifters, a naive teenager and a hustler. The film capture’s the journey of a runaway in New York City. Ekaj meets Mecca who takes him under his care. Mecca has AIDS and multiple problems of his own. He is high all day but still manages to be the only voice of reason in Ekaj’s hopeless world. They cruise the city together looking for money and places to stay.
The core of the movie is Ekaj, who thinks he will become the lover of a rich man and be taken care of for life but ends up finding his dreams quickly shattered. Although he makes some money as a prostitute, he finds himself disposable, replaceable and lacking what it takes to survive in the city. Their mutual loneliness leads to genuine friendship.’
When I first read the synopsis I knew I could not just let this pass me by. It was unusual and unique, which is exactly what we need in life every now and then. I had to make sure that I could find the time in my life to sit down and truly appreciate this movie. It carries a lot of emotional power and I hope that I can get this across to you in some way.
The opening shot of this movie is Ekaj floating in a swimming pool as he says the words ‘I don’t know how to love but I learned how to hate.’ I feel in our current world this resonates with a lot of us. Hate ends up consuming more and more of us with each passing moment and we forget to actually just take a minute and remind ourselves of how to love one another. Instead, we just focus on the hate.
The films main themes highlight the issues surrounding LGBT, abuse, homelessness and many more that I don’t want to just sit and list to you because I want you to see it. These are topics that are highly talked about at the moment and the world needs films to show the issues around these. The main part of this movie from my perspective is about Ekaj trying to find a place for himself in this cruel and harsh world.
‘The Director chose each character to fit as close as possible to the script. She also knew it would not easy to make a film with two leading characters who are struggling with their own lives at the same time. All the actors in the film had experienced a similar story or identified with the characters they were playing or have friends who did. The film Ekaj is mean to be an opportunity for kids from the other side of the tracks to work in a creative project.’
It left me feeling uneasy. It is a life I can’t say I have ever known or would probably ever relate to but I still felt the emotion that came from the film itself. My thoughts after the felt were this looming sense of fear that some people actually could and have lived this life.
I don’t want to say too much because it could ruin a worthwhile experience. I know an Independent film can scare someone people away. I will say that it is not an easy watch, it is hard-hitting, gritty and a reality check but it is one that needs your attention. Then the issues in this film can be brought light once again and addressed by the world. One day it might even help push for a change and then these may no longer be issues we need to worry about. Imagine that.
https://ekajthemovie.com – Check out website link here where you can find a lot more information about the movie.
It is available to purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Itunes, Vudu, YouTube Movies, Google Play, Filmdoo, Filmin and Indie Rights Movies on Roku TV.
