User Reviews

The grace defines this film about self definition of a 13 years old boy , against obstacles and refuged in his intense passion.

An alcoholic mother, a father death in war, a cellmate introducing him in the universe of art, a venerable mentor guiding him across photo craft . And his large , profound loneliness.

The work of young Elijah M. Cooper is almost...magical. He gives to his Leroy precise traits with very subtle sensitivity and defines his universe in great manner. And this makes real special this short film because, scene by scene, it has the precious gift to reflect familiar realities of near reality.

It is a very useful support for reflection, working in admirable manner.

Greetings again from the darkness. Being a teenager is challenging. You want to be grown up and independent. But when growing up means losing your dad to war and having to look out for your alcoholic mom, well being grown up can seem overrated. Such is the life of 13 year old Leroy.

Played by exceptional newcomer Elijah M. Cooper, Leroy is a sensitive boy who totes around a battered 35mm camera that has a cracked lens. He doesn't know how the camera works, only that it feels natural to see the world through the viewfinder. Katie Lowe plays his mother, and she struggles to get through each day with the pressure of being a single mother while dealing with her grief. Most days her only relief comes from a bottle.

A minor scrap with the law puts Leroy in a Juvenile Detention Center, where his cellmate is an artist played by Shareef Salahuddin. Ironically, it's while serving his time that he learns about being an artist ... overcoming obstacles to create art. Once released, Leroy soaks up knowledge from an elderly neighbor (Joe Morton) who tutors him on the finer points of cameras and photography, plus the "magic" of film developing, the importance of light, and to guidance on shooting the truth.

Director Richard Raymond (SOULS OF TOTALITY, 2018 short), writer Curt Zacharias Jr (his first screenplay), and cinematographer Jarin Blaschke team up to create a terrific short film, and prove Leroy's adage, "the busted up things have the best story."

A million Eyes is another well made and very well movie by director Richard Raymond, who has a way to make a beautiful film seem easy. Story line made me want to see more, as this film makes you want to stay in your seat and see more from this remarkable director

A beautiful film about art and mentorship and the need to nurture talent. An artist myself, the story resonated with me very deeply. The way the title is introduced in the voiceover is just seamless and touching. The score is beautiful and the performances are great throughout.