Demetrius Wren
Directing
Biography
Demetrius Wren recently released his latest narrative feature, Rehabilitation of the Hill, which explores how the ongoing effects of gentrification play out in a Black community in Pittsburgh through a You've Got Mail-esque love story. He graduated from the FSU Film School, concentrating in screenwriting and directing, where he was mentored by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins.Demetrius wrote his first play Legends, Myths and Hieroglyphs about single mother families in rural Black America, told through the eyes of a young child, which had a run in New York and was called by Christopher Durang one of the most original scripts he’s read. Demetrius directed the Emmy Award winning Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood's early seasons’ live action content and directed the independent documentary Streetball about the 2008/2009 South African Homeless World Cup teams and the state of South Africa’s homeless population leading up to the country hosting the World Cup. He’s co-directed VR films for the United Nations and directed the independent features Saudade? and Moon and Sun. He’s currently developing his screenplay, Heartland, following a group of Black kids in a blue collar town who discover a portal to a magical world where they must connect with their lost parents to solve an ancient riddle and save the world as they know it, battling African mythological creatures and spirits and ultimately becoming the heroes they were destined to be. Think Attack the Block meets the Chronicles of Narnia.
Known For
Rehabilitation of the Hill follows two quirky, headstrong women from opposing backgrounds as they battle over their vision for an urban neighborhood in Pittsburgh while begrudgingly falling in love.
Rehabilitation of the Hill
SAUDADE? follows the story of Sophia (Christina Wren), a young woman from a troubled home who escapes to New York City in search of her runaway brother, following his work as a street artist.
Saudade?
A terrible disease has swept the nation. Amidst riots, food shortages and growing unrest, the government forcibly locked up 35% of the population, citing them as a risk to society due to higher potential infection rates...based on their blood type. A group of women working to dismantle the system are given a window to strike when a new wave of sickness sweeps the nation - no “Type As” involved. Security forces have abandoned their posts and if our vigilantes can infiltrate the system, they could free thousands in an instant. But everything comes at a cost. Filmed entirely during the 2020 lockdown, following social distancing guidelines.
Lazaretto
Mother Lazos, an Astoria NY street psychic, is killed in a hit and run leaving her daughter Cecilia to take over the family psychic business. As Cecilia works to assume the role of psychic/hustler, a mysterious young girl appears on her doorstep with seemingly real psychic abilities.
Moon and Sun
Eight men from the streets of Cape Town band together to fight for their place in society through a fast-paced game of street soccer.
Streetball
This documentary follows historic auto racing events with Aston Martins at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.