This format-bending profile of Robert Wilmote reveals the story of a Liberian refugee forced to flee the most drastic and terrible circumstances imaginable. Having narrowly escaped the ravages of war in Africa, Robert’s struggles continue in the U.S. when he succumbs to the gangster lifestyle, only to become a convicted felon. At his absolute bottom, Robert knew he was meant for greater good. Through dramatic reenactments, featuring Robert himself, we discover how Robert’s passion for fitness and helping others empowered him to transcend a life of violence and become a living legend.

Director’s Notes

In order to do justice to Robert’s story, I wanted to create a very specific cinematic aesthetic — a fusion of documentary and narrative reenactments. The latter involved bringing Robert back to places from his past (including his old jail cell), a dynamic which added not only an emotional weight to the scenes but a cathartic element to the filmmaking process. It was an intense and intimate shoot that required an immense amount of trust on both sides of the camera.