Four Profound Elements from The Book of Clarence

By Portia King

Filmmaker, Jeymes Samuel’s latest project, The Book of Clarence, takes audiences on a daring yet cosmic ride into the times of Jesus. Unpacking the intertwined concepts of faith, religion, culture and perception, the film follows a young man named Clarence (LaKeith Standfield), a mischief bound, down-on-his-luck man struggling to make a better life and prove he’s more than a nobody. Astounded by the power, wealth and influence of the rising Messiah and His apostles, Clarence uses his street smarts to make his own path to divinity. The film's all-star cast includes LaKeith Stanfield, RJ Cyler, Teyanna Taylor, Omar Sy, and several other prominent figures. 

“As a storyteller, I want to give audiences something they’ve never seen before. As a person of faith, I want to deepen our understanding of the historical context that has shaped our beliefs,” said Jeymes Samuel. “And as an entertainer, I want to show you a wicked good time. Where those three points intersect is THE BOOK OF CLARENCE, a cinematic extravaganza 2,000 years in the making.”

Outside of the general and most refreshing factor from The Book of Clarence, seeing Black people portrayed in biblical times, here are the four profound elements of the film:

1. Captivating Visual Aesthetics: From the grand wide shots of the massive landscapes and delicate details of the set designs, to the fun and imaginative special effects, the audience is pulled into the world and era with Clarence. 

2. Music Soundtrack: One of the main concepts that mesh and highlight modern tones into the journey of the storyline is the rhythmic music selections throughout the film.  The Book of Clarence Official Soundtrack features new music by Jeymes Samuel, JAY-Z, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi and more. Tracks such as, “I Want You Forever,” featuring Jeymes Samuel, D’Angelo and JAY Z, will certainly find its way onto playlists beyond the screen. 

3. The Language: The vibrant dialogue with modern tones infused throughout made for intriguing and playful storytelling, keeping the audience engaged and entertained. 

4. The Concept to Faith: Indeed, the storyline walks the line between believers and non-believers. Clarence’s self-journey through trials, tribulations, doubt, and discovery alongside a few friends along the way. The Book of Clarence uncovers the realities of perfection and desires of acceptance. It exposes the inner lining of faith in being that it is to be maintained even in the presence of doubt and sorrow. 

The Book of Clarence was officially released in theaters today, January 12th. For more details on the film follow @BookofClarence.