About The Film
A STORYBOOK ENDING is a short film by award-winning filmmaker Lanre Olabisi. It is a neo-noir dark comedy about a Black man who accidentally kills an undercover White police officer in self-defense. The subsequent cover-up sets off a chain reaction of deceit, blackmail, and ultimately murder.
“If this is what Olabisi does with a short film, give him a big tentpole budge immediately.” -Awards Daily
“A wildly entertaining film.” -UK Film Review
“Olabisi hits all the right notes in this funny and bloody short film.” -Denton Record Chronicle
“A contemporary neo-noir with precious notes of dark satire is what filmmaker Lanre Olabisi brings to life on screen through his powerful storytelling.” -Arts Muse Magazine
“A dynamic and layered neo-noir.” -MTR Network
“Once the film opens it grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let go until it’s done. Lanre Olabisi weaves together a compelling thrill ride.” -Blackfilm.com
“It is extremely captivating, passionate, and aggressive. There’s danger, murder and violence. There are stunning performances, sinister cinematography, and mystical music. A STORYBOOK ENDING is a movie you should see.” -Just Celebrity Magazine
“This short film about the trauma of coping with systemic racism is well worth a look.” -Picture this Post
“Full of unexpected and shocking turns and fits more than ever in nowadays society. 4 stars” - Drm.am
“Olabisi serves up an 18 minute thriller with violence, flashbacks, and dark-humored negotiations.” -Red Carpet Crash
“It was filled with tension” -The Chicago Crusader
“Filled with plenty of unexpected, unpredictable moments…dark and humorous.” -OrcaSound Film Review
Director’s statement
A Storybook Ending was adapted from a feature film screenplay of the same name. The idea was born out of an incident that happened to James Blake, a retired Black tennis star, in 2015. He was standing in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York City waiting for a car to take him to the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament. All of a sudden, and for no apparent reason, a plainclothes police officer tackled Mr. Blake to the ground without ever announcing himself. The officer later claimed that he “fit the description.”
I’m 6’2, 220lbs. I wrestled at the University of Michigan. I’m a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I know how to defend myself. This incident actually scared me because I have always been acutely aware that at some point in my life I might just “fit the description.” This encounter led me to ask a cascade of questions that all started with: what if?
What if that happened to me? What if I fought back? What if I hurt the officer? What if I ran away in a panic? Fortunately, I never had to make this choice, but the main character in this film, Wale, does.
