Boxcutter
Boxcutter
Stars: Ashton James, Zoe Lewis, Rich Kidd, Shomari Downer and Viphusan Vani
Director: Reza Dahya
Scriptwriter: Chris Cromie
Music contributed by Rich Kidd and Junia-T
Cinematography: James Klopke
Back Up Your Ish Productions
Not Rated but could be PG 13
Running Length: 83 Minutes
When it comes down to it, everyone has a talent of some kind, whether it be cooking, baking, working on cars, writing, dancing, sewing, you name it. The majority of such talents are never known outside a small circle of family and friends. Life is comfortable there. On the other hand, there are people with talents---and in this film, it is music---who want to be known widely. What to do about it? In “Boxcutter,” we meet a rising young rap artist in Canada who sees a chance for someone high on the music ladder, to hear his work. It is getting the music there that is the problem. Life does have its tricks along the way. Director Reza Dahya takes his actors through action scenes. Well, that’s life and it can be difficult in the music world of Toronto.
The main character is Rome (Ashton James) who is a rap artist aiming for the top. His friend and somewhat manager is Sid (Viphusan Vani) who tries to get people to hear Rome’s music. There can be a problem, though,. as sometimes Rome just plain gets nervous when getting ready to perform. It is a surprise when someone breaks into Rome’s apartment and steals his laptop which has all of his music. Just when Sid gets a high-ranking musician, Richie Hill (Rich Kidd) to listen to Rome’s music. What to do? The clock is ticking; time is running out and the big opportunity slowly slipping out of reach. Enter friends, Everton (Shoman Downer) and his sister, Jenaya (Zoe Lewis) who try to help and the chase is on. This is when the audience gets a look of Toronto at night and what a neat sight it is. Away we go.
What is brought forth in “Boxcutter” is what black musicians endure, and that is being moved aside for a white performer to come forth. This happens in the music world and as Jenaya, the artist, finds out, happens in her world of art, also. You can get used to being pushed aside, such as stopping to talk to a friend and someone becomes suspicious because you are a person of color. Or standing up for yourself and letting people; know you are there. All this against the backdrop of a major city.
Acting is well done by Ashton James, Viphusan Vani and Zoe Lewis. Their facial expressions and body language say it all. The music is top notch and Cinematographer James Klopko brings Toronto alive. It can be a city of many things, but the main idea here is hope.
Copyright 2025 Marie Asner
