The film industry has the ability to defy stereotypes and highlight the rich and varied experiences of various communities, offering a refreshing departure from the norm in a media landscape that often perpetuates these stereotypes. An example of this is “The Deadly Getaway,” which premiered on May 9th on BET+. Yandy Smith-Harris and Tressa Azarel Smallwood (MegaMind Media) are the executive producers of the movie. The cast includes Jason Weaver as Jacob, Jeff Logan as Derek, and Princess Love Norwood as Jada.

A brief summary of the film’s plot

Jacob, Hope’s boyfriend, persuades her to embark on a camping adventure and spend the weekend in an Away Pod to commemorate their anniversary and add some excitement to their usual routine. Hope’s possessive ex-boyfriend Derrick and his girlfriend Jada unexpectedly show up at their secret location, throwing Jacob’s plans for her hand in marriage off course. Derrick’s aggressive flirting behavior tends to create a sense of tension and jealousy among those involved. When the owners of the Away Pod mysteriously vanish and Hope discovers a troubling secret about Derrick, the situation takes a turn for the worse. Derrick would go to extreme lengths to safeguard his secret, even if it meant risking arrest for a botched robbery and a tragic loss of life. Hope and Jacob find themselves in a life-or-death struggle as they navigate the treacherous woods.

During a recent press day, I had the privilege of speaking with Yandy Smith-Harris and Jeff Logan to gain their insights and perspectives on the film.

“First of all, I absolutely loved the script,” Smith expressed her full support for anything Tressa wants to produce when asked about her interest in this project. The film showcases a predominantly black cast, engrossing them in a captivating and culturally diverse plot that rarely appears in cinema. The story explores the lives of accomplished black entrepreneurs as they embark on a camping trip, shedding light on different aspects of their personalities and relationships.

“There are so many aspects of playing Hope that I love.” She was like an alter ego for me. It’s like, Where do I go from here? What if I really liked her and could do what she was doing in real life? It was really fun getting into that role because I was able to be bad,” Smith stated. 

“The Deadly Getaway” portrays its characters as multidimensional individuals with complex emotions and experiences. Each character in the narrative brings a unique perspective, from Hope, a strong and assertive woman navigating love and ambition, to Derek, a tough yet loving partner grappling with his dark side. The range of personalities showcased in the show enables viewers to connect with various aspects of the characters, seeing glimpses of themselves or people they are familiar with portrayed on screen.

Jeff expressed his enjoyment in portraying Derek, as it allowed him to explore the depths of his character’s darker nature, a facet that resides within all of us. According to him, Derek acts without any sense of guilt, regardless of the outcomes. It’s the kind of pondering we often engage in as humans, contemplating the consequences of our actions before deciding not to pursue them. Derek has the unique ability to truly understand and empathize with the sensations he encounters.

“I think what’s great about this film is that you see how different and varying Black people can be. You have Jacob and Derek, who are two different types of Black men. It’s just like Hope and Jane are two different types of Black women. It shows the different aspects of the culture, and I think everybody can relate to each character in their own way,” Logan shared. 

The portrayal of black relationships in “The Deadly Getaway” is refreshing, as it avoids stereotypes and preconceived notions. The movie beautifully portrays black love, friendship, and ambition, highlighting the diverse range of activities and experiences that black people can engage in, just like any other community. The film presents a black ensemble cast in a way that challenges the conventional narratives often seen in mainstream media.

“As a people, we are so multidimensional. And it’s important that we start to highlight those things,” Smith stated. 

The significance of representation in film cannot be overemphasized enough. It can be incredibly empowering and validating to witness individuals who resemble you on screen, as they navigate intricate emotions and participate in a wide range of storylines. “The Deadly Getaway” captivates audiences while also highlighting the vibrant and varied aspects of the black community. This piece demonstrates the full range of human experiences and qualities, highlighting that individuals from all backgrounds can achieve success, have flaws, show love, and possess ambition.

I won’t spoil the film’s abundance of suspense, unexpected plot twists, and thrilling surprises for you. It’s definitely worth watching to experience it all firsthand. However, one of the most notable aspects and key points that viewers will appreciate when watching it is the refreshing portrayal of Black individuals in a film.