Michael Cooke's short "Across the Tracks" delivers a thrilling experience

Whoa! Woo-hoo! We just felt the most thrilling cinematic short film experience this month! The thrill in our offices was so infectious, we took take a 5-minute break to cool off. Across The Tracks pulled a nice on us and we thought you guys should see it.

“Across The Tracks is a short film and that we are mildly ecstatic would be an understatement. We are super humbled as the short has collected us over 30 official selections and 8 wins. ” says Michael Cooke. “Across The Tracks’ most acclaimed award is an “AMAA”, and also a ‘Cesar'”, says Kimberly Y. James.

Watch, ‘ACROSS THE TRACKS’

Synopsis: Across The Tracks is a short about two African-American sisters growing up in racially charged 1960s Georgia. One sister is born with fair skin, so when schools integrate in their small town, she decides to change her destiny, by passing for a white girl.

The story begins with the sisters older and living very separate lives. The death of their mother brings them together again in the small town of their youth. As they lay their mother to rest, the past rises up to meet them and we witness the moment that tore their family apart. This short film tackles issues of identity, colorism, peer pressure and bullying and explores the damage that one momentary lapse in judgment can have on an entire life.

Watch, ‘ACROSS THE TRACKS’

Artist have a history at the forefront of debate and shedding light on sensitive but important subjects. Now more than ever, it feels right to remind ourselves of where we have been, where the mistakes have happened and where we shouldn’t go again – We Won’t Go Back.

From Michael Cooke & Kimberly Y. James, the filmmakers of Across the Tracks