Jamal Trulove Makes Directing Debut On Short ‘I Thought You’d Never Ask’

EXCLUSIVE: Jamal Trulove, who made a breakout splash starring in The Last Black Man in San Francisco and then was found to have been framed for a murder, is building back his mojo. His production company Tru Narrative has wrapped its first theatrical feature, and he’s written and will make his directorial debut on the short film I Thought You’d Never Ask.

You might recall that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to approve a $13.1 Million settlement for Trulove after it was found he had been framed by police for the 2007 San Francisco murder of a friend. He served six years behind bars before a retrial exonerated him and found two police officers deliberately fabricated evidence failing to disclose exculpatory material.

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With a continual focus on leading the way for the best Bay Area talent and below-the-line crew with the ability to break out with a backdrop of Oakland, CA, Trulove has written and is making his directing debut with this short film centered on a woman who is aging while waiting for her hesitant lover to propose. When he finally does, a magical moment happens which alters everything.

“I wanted to reflect on the complexities of modern relationships, emphasizing the importance of beauty, time, age and financial stability,” Trulove said. “In urban black culture, these are the sentiments that are the focal points on finding a life time partner many times even before falling in love. I aim to not only tell a captivating love story but also provoke thoughtful reflection on the dynamics that contribute to black people and marriage.”

The film stars Terri J Vaughn (The Steve Harvey Show), Tia Nomore (Earth Momma), and Keren Southall & Titus VanHook. Andy Chen serves as DP transitioning over from Tru Narrative’s first film Punk Kids. Kealani Kitaura and Priscilla Lam are the producers.

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