M. J. SOLOMON PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

a music video by Malcolm W. Rector
2009 / 5 minutes 38 seconds

[ Trailer ]

Please follow the link above to view the trailer.

[ synopsis ]

Few will argue with the fact that the United States’ war with Iraq will always spark heated debate, regardless of the outcome. For this reason, X-Man will no doubt kindle some controversy.

While the debate continues to rage safely in public forums and behind closed doors, X-Man focuses on the horrors faced by the soldiers who are actually waging the war and who are sometimes forgotten beyond their use as political pawns by both pro-war and antiwar activists.

In this music video, Antonio Parker (of the group 4) assumes the role of an American soldier stationed in Iraq, who watches neighborhoods become battlefields, witnesses the suffering of fellow soldiers and observes increasingly advanced technological strikes while struggling to comprehend the reasons behind the war as well as his role in it.

[ about the director ]

Born in Houston, Texas, Dr. Malcolm W. Rector is a composer, writer, director and independent filmmaker. He earned a bachelor’s degree in classical composition from the University of St. Thomas, followed by master’s and doctoral degrees from Rice University.

Malcolm has written, directed, produced and scored three short films. His first, The Contest is a romantic comedy and was an Official Selection of the Jamerican International Film & Music Festival. Malcolm composed all of the modern classical music showcased in the film and performed one piece himself along with international classical singer Robert Gerber. The Stairwell, a surreal drama, was also an Official Selection of the Jamerican International Film & Music Festival, where it won the Final Draft Screenwriters Award for best short script. He recently completed a third short film entitled, Fallen Diva, which is a surreal drama.

Malcolm combined his love of filmmaking with his love of music in three music videos he produced, directed and edited. In each case, he wrote the lyrics and composed and arranged the music. That’s Life was an Official Selection of the Toronto Online Film Festival and reflects upon the growing apathy of mankind. Wack Attack (Crack Attack) explores the duality of a crack addict’s existence. X-Man examines the war with Iraq, focusing on the horrors faced by American soldiers. X-Man has been chosen as an Official Selection of the Toronto Independent Film Festival, an Official Selection of the New York City Independent Film Festival, Official Selection of the Cannes Independent Film Festival, an Official Selection of the London Independent Film Festival, an Official Selection of the San Diego Black Film Festival, an Official Selection of the Hollywood Black Film Festival and as an Official Finalist in the Canada International Film Festival. It also won the Silver Remi Award for Creative Excellence at Worldfest - Houston International Film Festival.

Malcolm is a prolific writer. His screenplays, which range in genre from comedy and romantic comedy to horror and drama, have won and been finalists in a number of international writing competitions, including Scriptapalooza, Screenwriting Showcase Awards, Final Draft Screenwriters Awards and the Sundance Feature Film Program. Malcolm has also been honored as a classical composer by the American Festival of the Arts and the Sonoklect International Concert Series of 20th Century Music. His film scoring has drawn praise from such notable figures as Isaac Hayes, James Mtume, Chuck D, and Ken Sutherland and won the film scoring competition at the Acapulco Black Film Festival.

[ filmography ]

X-Man, (music video) 2009
Fallen Diva, (short film) 2008
Wack Attack (Crack Attack), (music video) 2007
That’s Life, (music video) 2004
The Stairwell, (short film) 2002
The Contest, (short film) 1998

[ credits ]

Music performed by

[ awards ]

[ production still ]

[ technical notes ]

X-Man’s running time is 5:38 minutes.

It was shot in digital video in North Carolina on a Sony HVR-HD1000 camera in 2008.

Malcolm W. Rector edited the music video using Final Cut Pro and incorporated footage of both the Gulf War and the current Iraq War. The music was recorded into and edited in Pro Tools and Digital Performer.

[ contact information ]

Malcolm W. Rector
M. J. Solomon Productions
malcolmrector@yahoo.com

Copyright © 2002-2009 Malcolm W. Rector - All Rights Reserved.
Text and Media may not be reproduced without written permission.
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