EXCLUSIVE: David Banner Discusses His Lead Role in New Film “Never Heard”

“I don’t want to see no more movie about record companies and I’m a rapper!

I don’t want to see no more dope films…

I don’t want to see no more slaves films for about 20 years! ”

                                                                                                                  – DAVID BANNER

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s0v88NH8Ec&feature=youtu.be (Photo Courtesy of Getty Images) Written By: Emerald Marie Video By: Samuel Dickerson Brilliant film director Josh Webber has done it again! Webber Films has released a new movie titled “ Never Heard.” In the midst of an intense racial and political climate, this heart wrenching film resonated with so many Americans. On November 1, 2018 the film played in selected theaters around the world. The leading role belonged to David Banner, and featured an array of actors such as Romeo Miller, Kandi Burruss, Robin Givens, Karrueche Tran, Jackie Long and many well-known gospel artists. The film is based on the stage play titled “I Never Heard My Father Speak,”  by Tamera Hill. Banner’s character Aaron Davis is accused of murder and incarcerated for a crime he swears that he did not commit. His son Jalen (Romeo Miller) is forced to grow up on the streets of Los Angeles without the guidance of a father and primarily raised by his mother Shala (Givens) and Grandmother Camilla (Karen Abercrombie). Jalen finds his life at risk after his friend Diggy (Talton) decides to partner with one of the biggest drug dealers in the city leaving a large debt to be recouped. Everything seems to turn around when Aaron is reminded to put his faith in God first and use the power of prayer to help solve his problems.

Furthermore, some may criticize this for being another film that depicts negative imagery of incarcerated Black males. Although I urge you to take a closer look at this narrative as I did. During my exclusive interview with David Banner, he spoke with passion and conviction about the overlying message.

“I think the thing that most people can relate to in this film is being black in American or really African on this earth, you are guilty until proven innocent instead of innocent until proven guilty.” Additionally, I asked banner if there are any parallels in his person life and the characters in this film? He stated that he never heard his own father speak, just like Jalen’s character in the film. Moreover, the actor/activist recanted incidences when he too was profiled. “When I moved out to the so called “good neighborhood” I still got pulled over 3 times month, and I had a Bentley! And I know because I’m an educated black man, once you pull me over one time, you have a record on me! I don’t think there was but 3 Bentleys in the state of Mississippi so you knew who I was, so that means your playing with me, your picking on me!” Lastly, I asked Banner, “What is the ultimate message you want to send to men struggling in their community?” He stated, “Evil has a way of putting us in these corners and making us feel like we’re the only one going through something, when I went through the worst depression I’ve ever gone through in my life Snoop Dog was actually one of the people who helped me come out of it.” “Some times you have a voice for a group of people that you don’t know you’re standing up for.”

Banner confirmed the theme that pervades the movie, is contrary to society’s believe about black man, Aaron never gave up, not on his son or wife. Personally I applaud Banner for turning down countless of films, for a lot of money because he did not want to play the dope dealer or thug role. Lastly, he expressed, “I do not want to see no more movies about record companies, and I’m a rapper! I don’t want to see no more dope films, unless its like Never heard and we have some redemption. I don’t want to see no more slaves films for about 20 years unless!” Furthermore, synonymy of Blackness with criminality is not a new phenomenon in America films however this film illustrated stereotypes, and racist ideologies have led to discriminatory policies and court rulings. In close, this is not just another film highlighting the struggle of being a black man plagued by the justice system.  “Never heard” is a film that tells a powerful story of redemption and resilience. FULL INTERVIEW:

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