Directed by Deantè Gray | Written & Produced by Sam Buckner III and Charlie T. Savage
What happens when the dream you’ve spent your life chasing suddenly becomes possible, but only because someone else didn’t survive to live it?
That haunting question lies at the heart of VOICES, an original feature film that fuses the rich sounds of 1960s soul with a gripping psychological crime thriller. Directed by Deantè Gray and written and produced by Sam Buckner III and Charlie T. Savage, the 99-minute independent feature explores ambition, identity, loyalty, and the devastating cost of fame through an unforgettable story set in 1967 Detroit.
the 99-minute independent feature explores ambition, identity, loyalty, and the devastating cost of fame through an unforgettable story set in 1967 Detroit.
A Dream Built on a Dangerous Secret
Against the vibrant yet unforgiving backdrop of Detroit’s legendary music scene, VOICES follows Jordan, a soft-spoken hotel bellhop who dreams of becoming a soul singer. When a celebrated musical duo tragically overdoses just hours before a career-defining showcase, Jordan and his closest friends are faced with an impossible opportunity.
Stepping into lives that were never meant to be theirs, the trio quickly discovers that success built on deception carries consequences far beyond the spotlight. As their borrowed fame grows, so does the weight of a secret capable of destroying everything they’ve worked to achieve.
Blending suspense with emotionally driven storytelling, VOICES transforms a classic pursuit of fame into a tense examination of morality, identity, and survival.
A Love Letter to Soul Music
Unlike many music-driven films that rely on familiar classics, VOICES introduces audiences to a completely original soundtrack crafted specifically for the film.
Every song was written, composed, and co-produced by Sam Buckner III, with engineering by Lamar “LAX” Alexander, allowing the music to become an essential part of the narrative rather than simply accompanying it.
Original songs including “Rise Above,” “What’s the Price,” “Voices In My Head,” “Green In His Eyes,” “More Than This,” “Derrick’s Ballad,” “Tonight’s the Night,” “I Hear Voices,” and “Let’s Dance” help drive the emotional evolution of the characters while paying tribute to the timeless sound of Detroit soul.
A Story About More Than Fame
While music provides the heartbeat of the film, VOICES ultimately asks deeper questions about human ambition.
The search for identity and authentic self-expression. The conflict between ambition and morality. Brotherhood, loyalty, and betrayal. The emotional price of chasing success. Whether fame is worth sacrificing the people—and the person—you once were.
Rather than presenting fame as the ultimate reward, VOICES challenges audiences to consider what is truly lost when success is pursued at any cost.
A Rising Ensemble Cast
Leading the film is Francis Edemobi as Jordan, joined by Ezekiel Ajeigbe as Derrick and Raèl Ba as Mia.
The supporting cast includes Pedro Louis, Charlz Williams, Joe Maye, Jamal R. Averett, and Victorian Keaton, helping bring the world of late-1960s Detroit to life through layered performances that balance hope, desperation, friendship, and fear.
Director Deantè Gray’s Personal Vision
Director Deantè Gray describes VOICES as one of his most personal creative projects.
Inspired by the Motown era and artists whose music shaped his childhood, Gray became fascinated by the untold stories of gifted performers who stood on the edge of greatness but never crossed into stardom. That curiosity became the emotional foundation of the film.
His visual style combines cinematic texture, stylized imagery, and grounded performances to create a world where nostalgia meets psychological tension, allowing audiences to experience both the excitement and emotional cost of pursuing impossible dreams.
For writer and producer Sam Buckner III, the film is about far more than music.
“From the beginning, we knew this wasn’t just about impersonation or opportunity. It’s about what happens when people who’ve been told they’re not enough finally see an open door. The question becomes who you’re willing to become to walk through it.”
That central idea gives VOICES its emotional depth, transforming what begins as an unexpected opportunity into a suspenseful examination of identity, conscience, and consequence.
Filmmaking with Soul
Produced by a passionate creative team that includes executive producers Sam Buckner III and Ski-ter Jones, creative producer Charlie T. Savage, co-producers Brandon Lee Ward and Aya Washington, and cinematographer Damola Ajanaku, VOICES represents a bold example of independent filmmaking that refuses to fit neatly into one genre.
Combining original music, period-inspired visuals, compelling performances, and psychological suspense, the film celebrates the enduring power of finding one’s voice—even when the journey there becomes dangerously complicated.
As audiences continue searching for original stories that blend music with meaningful drama, VOICES stands poised to deliver a cinematic experience that lingers long after the final note.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt36847382/?ref_=nm_flmg_job_1_accord_1_unrel_cdt_t_2
Still Photo Credit: Invein Productions, Charlie Bit Me Joints, and We On Set.
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