The most influential, life-affirming movies all have the same vital element that helps them thrive – they serve as a cinematic poem about the human experience and life’s most natural flaws.

In his feature film directorial debut, Richard De Witt made one such project with ‘Marbles and Bullets.’ The philosophical adventure drama encourages viewers to question if they will choose to live in lightness and balance, despite society’s many long-lasting and newer struggles.

De Witt, who also wrote and produced the war thriller, made the project as a response to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the societal changes that followed. He originally penned the script in 2001 to reflect on America’s troubled past in a parable-like manner and offer a glimmer of hope for the future.

‘Marbles and Bullets’ takes place during the American Civil War. However, it shares a message that’s universal in all times frames, from the aftermath of 9/11 to the heightened race-relations of the present day.

The stories woven together to create the movie’s plot are based on historical and fictionalized premises, which use the philosophies and ideas of both Black slave writers and contemporary Black authors as inspiration. The entire movie is a parable about the power of love and literacy, the relevance of humanity and the history and role of human slavery.

‘Marbles and Bullets’ follows a confederate soldier in the heat of battle as he makes a fateful decision that sends him on a journey home through a parallel wilderness. He’s joined by a 10-year-old slave boy who challenges his beliefs.

The drama stars Tony Award Winner Shuler Hensley, Cylk Cozart, Christopher Lawson-Palmer, David Dwyer, Enya Flack. and Nikki Estridge.

‘Marbles and Bullets’ has screened at several film festivals around the world over the past year, including the 39th Boston Film Festival. The thriller played during the festival’s virtual program, which ran September 21-24, 2023. During the festival, De Witt, who also served as the movie’s Director of Photography, won the Best Cinematography award.

During last fall’s Boston Film Festival, De Witt generously took the time to talk about scribing, helming, producing and serving as the Director of Photography on ‘Marbles and Bullets’ in an exclusive interview over Zoom. The discussion with the filmmakers can be viewed in the above video.