Spike Lee Joins as Executive Producer for Short Film ‘Talk Me’

CANNES, France — Spike Lee has signed on as an executive producer for Joecar Hanna’s short film “Talk Me,” selected for the Cannes Film Festival’s Cinef section. The festival selected 16 films from over 2,700 submissions made by film schools worldwide.

Lee praised Hanna, a graduate student from New York University, in a statement, calling him a talented filmmaker with a unique vision. “His multi-talents in directing, writing, editing, and acting create a new vision in this crazy world we live and die in today. Welcome to the mayhem,” Lee said.

In “Talk Me,” Hanna plays the character Pedro, an outsider in a passionless marriage who escapes through music. His life changes when he meets Kira, another person yearning for intimacy, sparking a risky conversational affair.

“I wanted to push my storytelling further, using fable-like narratives and surrealism to intimately explore human contradictions and identity,” said Hanna. He added, “Having Spike Lee as a producer is a privilege. He believed in my vision after seeing my short film ‘Deliver Me’ at SXSW in 2023 and has supported my creative process.”

Following the SXSW screening, Hanna signed with manager Jerome Duboz and is represented by Independent Talent in the U.K. He is also set to graduate from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts next month.

Hanna’s films often comment on the loneliness and communication breakdowns in the modern world. His unique style integrates elements of realism and surrealism, allowing viewers to engage deeply without feeling judged.

Hanna is also starring in “Lump,” directed by Alexandre Rockwell. Shot largely on an iPhone in black and white, the film received a Special Mention at the Warsaw Film Festival and was selected for BAFICI in Argentina.

Hanna is a participating filmmaker in a program that supports emerging directors and is a recipient of the Black Family Prize and the Ang Lee Scholarship Award, along with being nominated for a BAFTA scholarship.