Boxcutter
Aspiring rapper Rome has the talent and vision to break out in Toronto's hip-hop scene, but his crippling insecurity is holding him back. When he learns that megastar producer Richie Hill will be making an appearance at a local club, Rome seizes the chance to meet him and get his album into Richie’s hands. However, disaster strikes when Rome’s apartment is burglarized, and the only copy of his album, is stolen. Racing across the city with his friend Jenaya, Rome scrambles to track down his collaborators and his records before the show begins and he misses his one shot.
Set against gentrifying Toronto streets and its vibrant music scene, Boxcutter is both a pulse-pounding odyssey and a heartfelt portrait of ambition, community, and the fight to find your voice.
Director & Cast
- Director: Reza Dahya
- Starring: Ashton James
- Starring: Zoe Lewis
- Starring: Viphusan Vani
Where to Watch
Trailer
Photos
Reviews
- "Boxcutter is an emotionally moving and thoughtful movie about a man’s journey to make his dreams come true while dealing with self-doubt and self-sabotage."
- "Weaving a tale that features just the right mixture of comedy and drama, Dahya crafts a delightful film that captures the vibrancy and sense of uncertainty that comes with city living. Anchored by strong performances from James and Lewis, there is plenty of joy and heart in this love letter to a city that doesn’t often love you back. A fresh and entertaining film, Boxcutter finds its strength in those within the community who believe in you when you might not always believe in yourself."
- "Dahya shows great promise in his first feature-length try behind the camera, honing in not just on the power of music but the way in which it brings people together as they search for new ways to make it."
- "The urgency in Boxcutter is real, but what sets Dahya’s clockwork-like quasi-thriller apart from other similarly pitched films is the decision to play this journey like a character study told in fine detail."
- "It is a portrait of a city that feels both nuanced and universal...."
SXSW