Nadhege Ptah is and up and coming film producer and director who has managed to capture a lot of feelings and emotions in her 15-minute short film” Paris Blues In Harlem”. The short film set in Harlem deals with a family legacy.
At the root of it all is gentrification and the rising prices in the community and whether a Jazz club has a place in the ever-changing Harlem landscape and realty.
I felt for the characters, I felt mad and I shed some tears.
Nadhege not only wrote and directed the film she also played the leading role of Paris, the granddaughter who is trying to convince her grandfather to finally let go of his failing Harlem club.
I don’t understand how Ptah managed to capture so much emotion in just 15 minutes of the film, but that’s a true testament of her talent and why her short was featured on the PBS Online Film Festival and why it is also being featured in the New York Jazz Film Festival until the end of August.
We had a chance to interview Nadhege Ptah for our film/director spotlight series. We hope you get to know this talented up and coming filmmaker. Please follow Nadhege and support Indie film artists.
When did you first become interested in making films?
I was always drawn to the arts with my first artistic training and discipline in dance. Then, I moved on to acting and writing. The film encompasses all I do as an artist. So, transitioning from the stage to film felt natural when I needed to create where my work can have a broader reach.
What influenced you to become a director?
I became a director when the director went MIA n our project. Hence, I realized I had the ability to direct when it received nominations and awards in the festival circuit.
How did the concept of your film/documentary/web series come about?
It’s loosely base on the life of Samuel Hargress and I saw a need to tell this story because of how remarkable he is.
Tell us in 30 words or less why we should see your film/documentary/web series?
It’s a story of resilience and family struggles to sustain a legacy and overcoming generational differences to survive the effects of gentrification.
What has been your biggest challenge putting this film/documentary/web series together?
Money, visibility. to attain press and build an audience.
Viewing Schedules
New York Jazz Film Festival May-August 2019 (Bebop Channel, New York)
National Black Theatre Festival July 30-July 3 2019 (North Carolina)
PBS Online Short Film Festival July 15-26 2019 (Online)