Two New Short Film Projects: The Nigerian and Red Wolf Howl

Black Box Productions filmed two original short productions in Death Valley over a single weekend — two films, two directors, one shared cinematographer, one location unlike any other.

The Nigerian

The Nigerian, directed by Ben Goloff, imagines the world of Prince Moïse Odiaka III — a ruler who has just been deposed by a violent military coup. Briefcase in hand, the Prince traverses the desert in search of help. Who will answer the call? The film went on to have its world premiere at the Rendez-vous du cinéma québécois in February 2015, in the prestigious Programme Choix du Chef.

Red Wolf Howl

Red Wolf Howl, directed by Rouzbeh Heydari, is the companion piece — a film shaped by the same barren landscape and the same long hours in the desert sun, but driven by a distinctly different visual sensibility and narrative logic. For Rouzbeh, whose directing philosophy is always rooted in service to the story, Death Valley offered both the isolation and the grandeur the film demanded.

The Production

Both films are co-productions between Black Box Productions and Collective Evolution Studios. Cinematography on both was handled by Josh Usheroff — a testament to the efficiency that comes from a tightly coordinated team working in shared conditions.

Shooting two films back-to-back in a remote location is a logistical and creative challenge that few productions attempt. It demands planning, flexibility, and above all trust between collaborators. That weekend in Death Valley was a demonstration of exactly what the Black Box Productions team is capable of when given the space to create freely.