Aleshea Harris Brings Avant-Garde Typography from Stage to Screen in 'Is God Is'

Playwright Aleshea Harris makes her directorial debut with 'Is God Is,' a film adaptation of her award-winning 2016 play, released earlier this month via Amazon MGM Studios. The revenge tragedy follows twin sisters, scarred by a fire set by their father, who are called to their mother's deathbed and instructed to seek vengeance. Harris, who previously taught at CalArts, drew inspiration from ancient Greek theater, hip hop, and afropunk. The film stars Kara Young, newcomer Mallori Johnson, Vivica A. Fox as the mother (called 'God'), Sterling K. Brown as the father, and Janelle Monaé as the step-mother. A distinctive feature is the use of avant-garde typography, influenced by a 1964 edition of Eugène Ionesco's 'The Bald Soprano' designed by Robert Massin. Harris collaborated with title designer Teddy Blanks, known for work on 'Wicked,' 'Barbie,' 'Nosferatu,' and 'Severance,' to create a custom font based on vintage metal typefaces. The typography conveys the twins' telepathic communication, termed 'twintuition,' through subtitles. Harris emphasized maintaining the play's poetic rhythm and dark, adventurous spirit while adapting it for film. Producer Janicza Bravo encouraged Harris to direct. The film explores themes of trauma, revenge, and gray morality, with Harris aiming to avoid simplistic black-and-white characterizations.