I hope viewers will empathize with the humanities on screen and see our present cultural and political realities within this film. The cinematic language and tone of TILL was deeply rooted in the balance between loss in the absence of love the inconsolable grief in the absence of joy and the embrace of Black life alongside the heart wrenching loss of a child.

Amidst the inherent pain and heartbreak, it was critical for me to ground their affection throughout the film. She is grounded by the love for her child, for at its core, TILL is a love story. The crux of this story is not about the traumatic, physical violence inflicted upon Emmett – which is why I refused to depict such brutality in the film – but it is about Mamie’s remarkable journey in the aftermath. And as a filmmaker, showing Mamie in all her complex humanity was of utmost importance. Instead, she evolved into a warrior for justice who helped me to understand and shape my own similar journey in activism. On the daily, Mamie combatted racism, sexism, and misogyny, which was exponentially heightened in the wake of Emmett’s murder. For me, the opportunity to focus the film on Mamie, a multi-faceted Black woman, and peel back the layers on this particular chapter in her life, was a tall order I accepted with deep respect and responsibility. Mamie’s untold story is one of resilience and courage in the face of adversity and unspeakable devastation. I felt compelled to champion Mamie’s legacy and center her in the spotlight where she rightfully belongs. She was the catalyst for a modern day civil rights movement that has laid a formidable framework for future activists and Freedom Fighters.

Had it not been for Mamie, her son’s memory would have evaporated into thin air. I saw an opportunity to subvert expectations and approach the narrative through another lens – from the maternal point of view of Mamie Till Mobley.

When I was approached to write and direct a story about Emmett Till, I found myself drawn to a singular figure at the center of his orbit. Chukwu also released a director’s statement along with the trailer, which you can read below:

Heroine full movie trailer