The Therapist
Short Film

Writer & Actor

Intent

I wanted to explore the spaces where Black men feel safe enough to be vulnerable. The places that function as therapy without being labelled as such.

Exploration

Co-written with director Akwasi Poku, The Therapist centres on the barbershop as an emotional refuge. A space where humour, honesty and lived experience coexist, and where men can share what they often suppress elsewhere.

Expression

I co-wrote the film and performed in it, shaping a narrative told through the perspective of a barber who becomes witness to the emotional weight carried by the men in his chair. The film blends realism with intimacy, allowing vulnerability to exist without spectacle.

Outcome

The film was selected by the London Short Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival and Toronto Black Film Festival. It was featured on WePresent and screened onboard Virgin Atlantic flights for a year, extending its reach to international audiences. The Therapist contributed to wider conversations around mental health and emotional literacy within Black communities, reinforcing my ongoing exploration of masculinity and identity through film.

Year: 20224