In 2020, actress Tessa Thompson, who has starred in movies “Passing”, “Creed” and “Sylvie’s Love” launched her production company Viva Maude.
With a goal to inspire new voices, “Is God Is” is the second movie Thompson has produced under Viva Maude.
A movie led by two female Black actresses, the film which is a redemption drama tackles domestic violence and generational trauma.
Photo credit: Patti Perret
It’s a personal story from writer and director Aleshea Harris, who makes her directorial debut with the project which is based on an adaptation of her award-winning play.
“When people in New York began speaking about the play, I started paying attention.” says Thompson. “It became one of those productions people reference with a kind of awe — a theatrical event you wish you’d been in the room for. It sharpened my curiosity.”
“Is God Is” follows twin sisters, Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia, (Mallori Johnson) who embark on a quest for “righteous revenge” after being tasked by their bedridden mother Ruby (Vivica A. Fox) to track down and kill their abusive father.
The film” features a great ensemble of award winning actors that include Janelle Monae ( “Moonlight“), Sterling K. Brown and Erika Alexander who starred in the Oscar winning movie “American Fiction“
“I founded Viva Maude to create more room: room for our collaborators to think more boldly, room for artists to grow in new ways, room for dreaming bigger as to what a production company can do,” adds Thompson, whose movie credits include “Westworld,” “MIB: International,” “Thor: Ragnarok,” the Ava DuVernay directed film “Selma,” Tyler Perry’s film “For Colored Girls” and “Sylvie’s Love” alongside Nnamdi Asomugha.
“I’m drawn to stories about inheritance: what we receive from our parents, and what we’re left to repair. The idea of daughters confronting the damage handed down to them felt mythic and intimate at the same time. That tension stayed with me,” she continues.
Reminiscent of “I Spit on Your Grave,” the controversial 1978 revenge horror film which follows a woman who inflicts brutal revenge on her attackers, “Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2 “and 2011’s “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo about a woman who delivers brutal justice to men who abuse women, this film has echoes of being a feminist cult classic.
“We’re especially interested in supporting filmmakers at the beginning of their journeys — [especially] when the voice is clear and uncompromised. Joining Aleshea’s debut felt aligned with that mission,” says Thompson.
“Is God Is” is rated R for strong/bloody violence and language and releases in theaters May 15.
