The Arts

St. Croix Filmmaker To Screen First Short Film In Pennsylvania: 'ANIMALS' Explores Themes of Race, Belonging, and Identity

St. Croix native Jordan K. Paul is receiving buzz for his new short film "ANIMALS", which has been accepted for screening at the Black Bottom Film Festival in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  ANIMALS tells the story of a young black man from the USVI who endures a racist encounter with the Los Angeles Police Department after his white roommate instigates a violent altercation. The encounter leads to a transformative journey which works to expose flaws in the American policing system.  "I had to show people the perspective of someone coming in from outside of the United States," said Mr. Paul during an interview with CBC News, saying that this point of view was often missing from the narrative. "I feel like we have to tell it now, or else it's not gonna be told." The film's "outsider" perspective is one reflected by Mr. Paul's own life story. "The entire film is deeply influenced by my personal experiences, and it's my way of sharing my unique perspective," said the filmmaker, who moved to...