A Ma Maniére has revealed another video teaser to its upcoming short film, “While You Were Sleeping.”
In the first teaser, A Ma Maniére revealed the cinematic universe it had created, introducing the Creative Resource Agency (CRA), which the retailer explained “actualizes the concept of a ‘Black Tax’ on minority creatives.” The second teaser introduced two creatives that A Ma Maniére stated are central to the film’s narrative: Complex editor in chief Aria Hughes and marketer turned storyteller Bimma Williams.
“Bringing Aria Hughes and Bimma Williams into this project was a natural choice,” James Whitner, owner and founder of A Ma Maniére parent company The Whitaker Group, told FN. “Aria’s eye for cultural storytelling and her deep understanding of the fashion landscape add layers of authenticity to our narrative. Bimma’s transformation from marketing to storytelling represents the kind of boundary-pushing creativity we value at A Ma Maniére. Together, they capture the essence of what it means to be at the forefront of culture, making them indispensable to our vision.”
The film — which A Ma Maniére explained draws inspiration from action and suspense cult classics — was directed by the award-winning Turner Brothers, Julien and Justen Turner. Diving deeper into the film, A Ma Maniére stated it “blends mystery, intensity, intrigue and stylish ensemble cast heist elements” to tell “a compelling story of minority creatives navigating a world rife with cultural exploitation.”
Hughes and Williams are the latest two cast members revealed, a lineup that includes major names across several industries including Angelo Baque of Awake NY, Chris Gibbs of Union LA, Jennifer Ford of Premium Goods in Houston, Nina Chanel Abney, Hebru Brantley, Cam Kirk, Jae Tips and Frank Cooke, among several others.
What’s more, A Ma Maniére stated this film and its teasers continue the rollout of its 10-year anniversary collection with Nike, Jordan Brand and Converse. The range, which the retailer debuted in August, includes three Jordan silhouettes (Air Jordan 3, Air Jordan 4, Air Jordan 39), two from Nike models (Air Force 1, Air Max 95) and one from Converse (Weapon Low).
The full film, according to A Ma Maniére, is set for a nationwide release in theaters this fall.
Peter Verry is the Senior News and Features Editor for Athletic and Outdoor at Footwear News. He oversees coverage of the two fast-paced and ultracompetitive markets, which includes conducting in-depth interviews with industry leaders and writing stories on sneakers and outdoor shoes. He is a lifelong sneaker addict (and shares his newest purchases via @peterverry on Instagram) and spends most of his free time on a trail. He holds an M.A. in journalism from Hofstra University and can be reached at peter.verry@footwearnews.com.
