As a seasoned cinephile with decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that uncovering lost gems from the early careers of today’s biggest stars is always a thrilling experience. The long-awaited debut of Mahershala Ali’s first movie, “Taste the Revolution,” is no exception to this rule.
Ali’s debut film, “Taste the Revolution,” which was filmed way back in 2001, came out long after he gained fame through his other movies and TV shows. Surprisingly, this movie was never released initially and has just recently premiered at the New Orleans Film Festival, marking a quarter of a century since its filming concluded.
The film “Taste the Revolution” is a mockumentary that portrays two filmmakers attending the “Chaos World Summit.” This gathering primarily attracts college students who aim to combat generational apathy by offering free food, drinks, and extreme political views. From the initial trailer of the movie, it appears that Laslow, the event organizer played by Ali, stirs up the audience with passionate speeches. However, it doesn’t take long for things to turn into… you guessed it – chaos!
Ali wasn’t the sole contributor to the movie that eventually became a success. The mockumentary, helmed by Dan Klein, was collaboratively penned by Colin Trevorrow, who is known for his work in the Jurassic World franchise, and Brandon Kreuger. Trevorrow took on roles as both co-writer and executive producer, making an appearance briefly on screen – quite a departure from his future projects like “Jurassic World: Dominion” and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” which he worked on two decades later.
In relation to Ali’s part in the movie, it was already apparent that his skill shone through even prior to his appearances in shows like “The 4400,” “Green Book,” and “True Detective.” Originally, Klein had intended for Ali to take on a minor role in “Taste the Revolution”; however, his audition performance was so impressive that it persuaded the director to give Ali a more significant part in the film. As a result, viewers will now have the opportunity to witness one of Ali’s earliest roles, a glimpse into his past talent.
Why Mahershala Ali’s First Movie Was Lost For Years
Despite some of the most renowned directors having films that remain unseen by the public for years, often due to restoration and release after they’ve passed away, the case with “Taste the Revolution” was different. The film’s delays weren’t due to financial constraints or studio dissatisfaction with the final product. Instead, The film’s delay was a direct consequence of one of the most significant events in recent history – the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Originally filmed before the catastrophic occurrences in New York, Taste the Revolution was initially set to release, but Klein criticized it as insensitive and out-of-touch following that tragic day. After delaying the movie for over a decade, Klein shares with The Hollywood Reporter why viewers will finally get to watch it now.
Following the completion of filming, events on September 11 significantly reshaped the world. Our movie seemed outdated and irrelevant in this new context, so we chose to put it aside. Years later, our main actor Mahershala Ali won his first Oscar for Moonlight (2016) and then his second for Green Book (2018). I revisited the old film clip with him, and he passionately urged us to complete the project.
20 years after first watching it, I find myself revisiting the movie, and it seems remarkably timeless. Unfortunately, it seems this film may remain relevant for future generations, as many young people go through a phase where they’re eager yet lack the experience to fully grasp the complexities of the issues they care deeply about.
On October 19, “Taste the Revolution” made its premiere at the New Orleans Film Festival, signifying the long-awaited completion of a film that took 25 years to bring to life.
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2024-10-21 15:32