Elizabeth, N.J.’s Jahmar Hill – a quadruple-threat actor, writer, director, and producer – has taken a harrowing childhood of domestic abuse and turned it into blossoming career in film. Hill told Reel Urban News that the trauma of domestic violence informed his debut film, Last Love Lost, the story of a young man awakened from a coma after being shot by his father while defending his mother from spousal abuse.
“Last Love Lost was the first film that I wrote, directed, produced and starred in. It came from growing up witnessing my mom and father, sisters and cousins going through different domestic violence situations.”
Having arrived in Hollywood just five months ago, Hill has already learned a hard lesson about filmmaking: “They say making a movie is miracle.”
Negotiating a career path in Hollywood may be just as tough.
“It’s been good,” says Hill. “I’m still finding my way around here while trying to get my name out there more and getting to know more people. People who understand who I am and where I’m trying to go. I think Hollywood is the place to be in for opportunities.”
Hill draws his artistic inspiration from his nomadic childhood. “Growing up, I moved a lot. I lived in North Carolina. I lived in New York. As a young kid, when you grow up you get to witness and meet new people. You know how to adapt to change.”
Despite his early success, Hill, like so many other young African American men, is still confronted and targeted by law enforcement.
“Before moving to Hollywood, I witnessed some type of thing with a police officer. I lived in Bergen County, N.J., which is mostly Caucasian and Jewish people. The house I lived in was the biggest house on the block. Last winter I was walking and this cop just stopped me and asked me where I was going. It threw me off. That day I went home crying. I felt violated. Luckily it didn’t escalate to anything else. But as a young man and as a storyteller this is something that I experienced and can write into a story.”
With two independent films to his credit, Last Love Lost and Fourth Quarter, Hill is optimistic about his future. “My age, passion and my understanding of what I love drives me. I understand all of the ups and downs you go through in this business. I only hope to inspire others.”
