Retired Kings County Supreme Court Justice Sylvia G. Ash
The Hollywood Blvd Film Festival (HBFF) was established in 2016 is an organization dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers, run by a team of highly qualified and experienced professionals who are committed to choosing high-quality films.
This year, Caribbean/African filmmaker, Ashton Ghaffaar received the Director’s Award for his film “Angel and Paris”. Carib News had a sit down with Ashton last week to hear about his big win and more about his work.
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Mell P: Ashton Ghaffaar, is that Caribbean and African? What’s the mix?
Ashton Ghaffaar: So I’m very blessed and fortunate to have a wonderful mixture of Caribbean and African parents. On my father’s side, we have mainly Senegal, and on my mother’s side, Caribbean, primarily Trinidad, Grenada, and St. Vincent. Yeah, so a nice little mix of it all.
Mell P: Tell me about the work you’ve been doing as a filmmaker – What you’ve been doing, how long you’ve been doing it.
Ashton Ghaffaar: This venture started a little bit right after Covid. People were stuck in their houses, and I wanted to provide them with a creative outlet so I wouldn’t go insane. I’ve always been in love with the process of filmmaking because my perspective on it is like allowing people a glimpse into your mind. I had a storyline and thought, “Wow, this is very interesting. I would love for this to be seen on the big screen, to share this vision with other people.” So, I started writing, saved up for a few years, self-funded it, partnered with another filmmaker, and together we directed and produced it. I was fortunate enough to star in it as well and bring it to fruition.
Mell P: And this is your first narrative film?
Ashton Ghaffaar: My first narrative film, yes. I’ve done documentaries before about social, political, and economic issues in America surrounding Black liberation, Black economics, and justice. But this was my first narrative.
Mell P: Congratulations on winning Best Director. How does it feel?
Ashton Ghaffaar: It was really an honor and a blessing. It wasn’t something I was looking for. I just wanted to make something, a compelling story that connected with my audience. If I could be a part of it myself and make my mom proud, then it was a success. Once it concluded, I felt like I hit those two achievements. Anything else was just icing on top of the cake. I wasn’t expecting any accolades, but it was a wonderful feeling.
Mell P: So the name of the film is “Angel and Paris.” Tell us a little bit about it in one paragraph.
Ashton Ghaffaar: “Angel and Paris” is a modern-day retelling of the classic Bonnie and Clyde story but from a different perspective. It follows Angel and Paris and their family of estranged thieves. They’re trying to figure out how to live a better life and avoid the social and moral dilemmas they always find themselves entangled in.
Mell P: Can you share some insight into your creative process, behind the scenes, who you worked with, were they friends or new colleagues?
Ashton Ghaffaar: I wanted to amplify marginalized voices, so I had a predominantly all-black cast. We had an intensive casting process, utilizing Backstage, LA acting, and tried to find the best underrepresented actors to give them opportunities. The whole casting process was lucky, and I worked with phenomenal actors who elevated my skills. We had six days straight of 12-hour filming and worked with many talented people who invested their heart and soul into the project. It was really a labor of love.
Mell P: What feedback have you been receiving about the film?
Ashton Ghaffaar: The only negative feedback isthat it’s too short. People have been saying how they really loved it. They were engaged with the music; we put a lot of energy into finding the right sound and music for each scene. People loved the score, the wardrobe, and the acting. What was compelling is that it forces you to put yourself in the cast’s shoes, wondering if the end justifies the means. People loved it and want to see a longer version, so I’m working on a feature script.
Mell P: Where can we watch the film?
Ashton Ghaffaar: It’s currently going through the film circuit. Once the awards are over, I hope to share it on a streaming service soon. I’ll keep you posted, and I’m super grateful. This film started as an opportunity for me to showcase all my creative talents on one platform. Overall, I’m very happy with the outcome and can’t wait for people to see it.
Ashton Ghaffaar is an activist, artist, writer, actor, and director. The Caribbean/African filmmaker from Brooklyn, New York, moved to Los Angeles to showcase the full range of his talents through compelling cinematic storytelling. Inspired and influenced by the likes of Spike Lee, Quintin Tarantino, and Ryan Coogler, Ashton strives to bring artistic and creative films to the world that emotionally resonate with audiences.
