In Cargo, releasing June 7 in theaters, a man struggling to make enough money to pay for his son’s expensive school eventually turns to transporting human “cargo” into the US in order to raise the cash. We spoke to writer/director Kareem Mortimer about the personal nature of the story, its message and his love of filmmaking.
Tell us about the Bahamas, Kareem. It must be like living in Paradise?
Kareem Mortimer: I quite enjoy my life in The Bahamas, I swim all the time with my daughter and partner and now it is the summer we all end the day in the ocean with a mango. Paradise also has its shadow and underbelly as well and we get to explore that in this film.
And why filmmaking?
KM: I’ve always wanted to tell stories visually about the world around me and have loved classic movies ever since I was a little boy watching classic films with my grandmother. I feel that it is the most powerful medium to convey a message.
READ MORE: Our Full Review of Kareem Mortimer‘s Cargo
How did you get your start?
KM: I went to the US at 17 years old to complete my education at film school at an Arts University from there I cut my teeth being a production assistant on many music videos and then progressed into producing for television.
How do you feel you’ve improved between then and CARGO, as a filmmaker?
KM: As a filmmaker I grew in confidence. In the beginning, I was hesitant to call myself a filmmaker or share my ideas because it was so unusual for someone from my hometown to say, it almost felt like saying you wanted to be a space surgeon. Now, that I’ve proven myself, I feel rooted and confident.
Is the script based on a real event?
KM: It is based on a few events that have happened, I remixed it and infused it with my own perspective.
Is it personal? See yourself in any of the characters?
KM: Everything I do is personal so I really appreciate you asking me that. It is not only a human smuggling film but it also a film about the pressures of manhood, race, and relationships and I see a small piece of myself in every character.
How did you court such a well-known cast? Were they all receptive to the script right away?
KM: I knew Jimmy Jean Louis for a long time as a friend, we sent the script to Warren Brown’s agent and we received a reply within a week. The other phenomenal name actors came through our casting director Kim Williams.
People recognize Jimmy Jean-Louis for his roles in Heroes and Arrow. He’s very different here though, isn’t he?
KM: Yes, he is very different, he’s such a talented and smart actor that he transforms completely into the role of Jean who is a sinister guy although the real Jimmy is perhaps one of the nicest persons I know
And is there a message to the movie?
KM: The message that I intended was that we don’t have to risk our morality in order to get what we really want.