FILM PRESS KIT
Logline | Specifications | Synopsis | Director’s Statement | Media I Cast & Crew Bios | EPK
LOGLINE
Michelle, a 10-year-old survivor of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, attempts to escape both her past and her new home when she learns that her “new” family is not what they seem.
SPECIFICATIONS
Genre: Drama
Running time: 15 minutes
Languages: Haitian Creole, English
Country: United States of America
Film Color: Color
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
My experience working in Haiti immediately following the 2010
earthquake compelled me to explore the themes of guilt and death,
particularly as they intersect with the pressures of daily life.
Inspired by magical realism, “Jean & I” explores the relationship
between memory, grief, and guilt. Set one year after the disaster, the
story follows Chrismené, a 10-year-old Haitian survivor, and her brother,
Jean, who are now living with an American family in New York.
As we follow Chrismené through her day, we quickly learn that all is not
as it seems in her new home. Burdened by a past she cannot move on
from, Chrismené must find a way to free herself from a terrifying new
situation and, ultimately, forgive herself.
MEDIA: STILLS
CAST & CREW BIOS
Naya Desir-Johnson / “Michelle”
Naya Desir-Johnson is a young Haitian-American performer who has already showcased her talents by working with some of the most esteemed actors and directors in the industry. She recently starred in Amazon/MGM’s SARAH’S OIL, as the titular character, starring opposite Zachary Levi, Sonequa Martin-Green, Garret Dillahunt, Bridget Regan, Kenric Green, Stelio Savante and Mel Rodriguez. The film will be in theaters November 2025.
Her career began with her role as “Kelsey” opposite Queen Latifah in CBS’s THE EQUALIZER, followed by portraying “Cynthia” alongside Billy Porter in FX’s POSE. Recently, she sang alongside multi-Grammy Award winner Joyce DiDonato in the Met Opera’s DEAD MAN WALKING, directed by Tony Award-winning director Ivo van Hove.
She has been cast to play the titular character in Director Mirta Desir’s upcoming feature film ANGIE.
Website: http://nayadesirjohnson.com | IG: @nayadesirjohnson
Cree-Silver Corley / “Jean”
Cree-Silver Darrieux is a budding young actor. When not on screen, he
enjoys basketball, boxing, football, gymnastics, martial arts and yoga.
Tralynn Husbands / “Miriam”
Tra’Lynn Husbands is a versatile actor with a career that began at the age of two. She landed a major stage role as Young Nala in the Broadway production of The Lion King and has built an extensive resume that includes guest-starring roles on television shows and appearances in over 40 national commercials. Currently, Husbands is the voice for major brands like Ally Bank and Burt’s Bees and has recently starred in three films making their way through the festival circuit. She is now expanding her work by writing her own projects.
Alex Emanuel / “Frank”
Alex Emanuel (AEA/SAG-AFTRA )is an actor, musician, playwright, producer, filmmaker, voiceover and visual artist. He’s acted on all three coasts and overseas, including Theatrical premieres at Oregon Shakespeare, ZSpace in SF and Steppenwolf in CH. TV/Film credits include roles on Succession, 50 Central, Public Morals, Blue Bloods and Law and Order among other shows, and many feature films and shorts, including the award winning indie feature comedy The Incoherents (Amazon Prime), which he also produced and wrote original music for. His short play “Hallucy” is presently in the Chain Summer One-Act festival in NY, and his full-length play “Come and Knock Down My Door” has enjoyed many successful readings. Alex is currently working on a book and documentary about his father, the late cartoonist Robert Grossman, finishing up a new album of music, and has a couple film projects on deck that he’s acting in.
Website: alexemanuel.com | IMDB: imdb.me/alexemanuel | IG: @the_alexemanuel
Mirta Desir / Writer-Director-Producer
Mirta Desir is a Haitian-American filmmaker living in Bed-Stuy (New York City) working on her Film MFA . She is currently in her final year at Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema. Mirta is the writer and director of several shorts, some of which were shortlisted for both the NETFLIX/NALIP Incubator and the Wavelength Productions & The Black TV & Film Collective’s Producers Fellowship. She’s also the recipient of a New York Women in Film & Television award. She is currently in development of her first feature film, Angie.