Raising Lazarus illustrates some indeterminate future epoch where people are buried behind the concrete walls of a desolate city, literally living as vegetative processors for computed information. Visited in a dream by an ancient woman, one man ignites an exodus with one simple, but heroic act, breaking down the walls holding humanity and restoring a life in the sun.  

Filmmaker Roni Nicole is seeking the mysticism that swells in our everyday existence.  Believing wholeheartedly in that high magic that moves us and moves life along, she films from a perspective of discovery. The capturing and projecting of these moments are meant to restore and remind us of our individual and collective roles in that magic. We are special. The ups, downs and in-betweens are special. 

Nicole is the recipient of an Idea Capital Atlanta Grant for Outdoor Experimenta Video Projections (2011 Grant Cycle), has screened films in the US and internationally and is a 2012 Wonderroot Walthall Fellow. In 2008, she earned and M.F.A., Film and Television, from Savannah College of Art and Design and holds an B.A., English/Education, fromClark Atlanta University, 2002.

FILM DETAILS 

Raising Lazurus, Digital video 2015.

Runtime: 13 minutes

Shot in Columbia, SC

Cast: Cedric Umoja, Dalvin Spann, Yaah Twa, Azana Nora Day, Ellie Mae Howe, Michael Dantzler, Tahirah Spann, Emma Bassett, Mounir Spann, Ishmael Spann, Indigo Spann, Katrina Blanding, Reno Gooch, Karl L. Larsen, Tammy, Trevor Muhammad, James McLawhorn