Redefining Narratives: a Journey Beyond the Headlines

Read Time:4 Minute, 29 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Know Me
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Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 13m
Director(s): Edson Jean
Writer(s): Marckenson Charles, Edson Jean
Cast: Edson Jean, Shein Mompremier, Donald Paul, Carole Arty, Richardson Chery
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: Not every headline tells the entire story. We’ve all heard of the ‘bath salts’ attacks, right? When a shocking event dominates the news, the real people behind it often disappear, reduced to sensationalized labels and half-truths. KNOW ME takes one such case and reclaims it from the media's distortions, focusing on the family left to pick up the pieces. With a captivating emotional core and a sharp critique of misinformation, the film challenges viewers to look past the spectacle and see the human cost of a story twisted beyond recognition.

At the story's center is Kenson Joseph, a man forced to relive his brother Jimmy Moïse’s final days through a relentless media storm. The world had already decided who Jimmy was, reduced him to a lurid headline, and moved on. But Kenson refuses to let that be his brother’s legacy. As misinformation spreads, fueled by a press more interested in sensationalism than truth, he embarks on a battle against the media and deep-seated stigmas within his community.

The film examines how quickly the truth gets buried beneath fear, bias, and spectacle. Using a structure that moves between past and present, the story allows the audience to see Jimmy not as a headline but as a person—a man struggling with unseen struggles and being misunderstood by the world around him. This approach transforms the film from a straightforward drama into something more impactful: a raw examination of media exploitation and cultural stigma.

The film thrives on authenticity, anchored by powerful performances that make the story's emotion impossible to ignore. Writer/Director Edson Jean brings the narrative to life behind the camera and delivers a compelling performance as Kenson. His portrayal is both subtle and devastating, capturing the frustration of a man watching the world misunderstand the person he loved most. Donald Paul, playing Jimmy, takes on the challenge of humanizing someone the public had already dismissed as a monster. His performance is haunting, layering Jimmy’s struggles with a quiet, tragic vulnerability that lingers long after the film ends. Shein Mompremier, as journalist Stephanie St. Fleur, adds another dynamic to the story, offering a perspective that explores the ethics of reporting and the weight of responsibility in telling someone else’s story.

The film mirrors its themes, using color and framing to reinforce the emotional divide between perception and reality. Miami is often depicted as vibrant and alive, but here, it becomes a city of contradictions—a place filled with warmth and isolation. The cinematography captures this duality, offering intimate close-ups that force the audience to engage with the characters personally while also pulling back to show the overwhelming scale of the forces working against them.

Beyond its technical strengths, the film stands out for its willingness to tackle difficult conversations. It doesn’t just examine how the media shaped public perception and how cultural and religious institutions contributed to that narrative. The Haitian-American community is given a complex and honest portrayal, exploring the tension between faith, tradition, and the stigmatization of mental health. This layered approach ensures that the story never falls into oversimplified messaging but instead challenges viewers to consider how their beliefs and biases shape how they interpret the news.

The film offers its viewers a powerful and thought-provoking experience. It doesn’t just ask the audience to sympathize with its characters—it demands that they reconsider how they consume and accept information. In an era where misinformation spreads like wildfire, the story feels more relevant than ever.

KNOW ME doesn’t offer easy resolutions or a neatly wrapped conclusion. Instead, it leaves the audience with something more important: a sense of responsibility. The responsibility to question what we’re told, to see beyond the headlines, and to recognize the humanity in stories that are often reduced to spectacle. It’s a gripping, emotional journey that stays with you long after the credits roll.

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[photo courtesy of BANTUFY, SALEM STREET ENTERTAINMENT, WHITE ELEPHANT GROUP]

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