The After hit Netflix back in October and in truth, I’d missed the boat on watching it but yesterday we got an email from the PR promoting the film asking if we’d like to do one last interview before we shut up shop for Christmas. None of our legendary interviewer pool were available and I’ve not done a junket in about 6 years but for some reason, I was really intrigued to take it on, and I’m so glad I did.
The After is a 16-minute short film directed by Misan Harriman, a name more synonymous with stills photography. Misan was the first Black photographer to shoot the September cover of British Vogue, with commissions including royal, private, and high-profile portraiture, with subjects including Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Angelina Jolie, Jay-Z, Tom Cruise, the list goes on.
The After is the first time Misan has dabbled (a word which seems amusing once you a) watch the film and b) hear that it has been shortlisted for an Oscar) with moving pictures and what a first outing it is!
Misan also wrote the story for The After with a screenplay from John Julius Schwabach and stars David Oyelowo as a father who suffers a sudden severe loss in a circumstance none of us would ever hope to be anywhere near.
I got to chat with David and Misan last night to discuss the film, how it affected me, how it affected them and, since it’s Christmas, found out what they think about the Die Hard debate being a Christmas movie or not (sorry, I had to!).
The After is on Netflix now and is absolutely worth the 16 minutes of your time to watch. We’ll find out in 2024 if it gets the Oscar Nomination which I’d be surprised if it didn’t.
