Sundown (2024)

LOGLINE: After receiving the deed to a house in his grandfather’s will, a young man discovers that the home is deep in a rural midwest town that harbors a dark history and realizes that this is more than a gift, but rather a chance to confront the shortcomings of his family's past.

DIRECTORS STATEMENT
Sundown tells the story of a young man who inherits a house from his recently deceased grandfather. This seemingly generous bequest becomes a journey into the dark, suppressed history of his family and the town's deeply rooted racism. As he uncovers the town's disturbing past and its legacy of exclusion and intimidation, he must confront the uncomfortable truths about his family's failed attempt to end this cycle of discrimination.

Our film aims to shed light on the under discussed and painful history of racism in Midwest America, particularly the concept of sundown towns. Sundown towns were places where Black people were explicitly or implicitly warned to leave by nightfall, enforced through discriminatory laws, violence, and intimidation. While these towns were most prevalent before the mid-20th century, the scars and lessons remain relevant, especially in today's ethos of ongoing racial injustice and awakening.

Through Sundown, I aim to share this story and its underlying message with both young and old audiences. By highlighting the history of sundown towns and the persistent hate that exists in some of these areas, I hope to foster a greater understanding and awareness. This film is not just about recounting past events but also about drawing attention to the continued relevance of these issues today. By doing so, we can contribute to ongoing conversations about race, history, and the need for societal change.

MADISON LEDYARD-KING - WRITER / DIRECTOR/ACTOR

Madison Ledyard-King is a professional actor and filmmaker from Cleveland, OH. He is an Afro-Caribbean Digital Media Production graduate from Kent State University with a minor in Theatre Performance. He aims to share his voice and perspective with the world through telling unique and thought-provoking stories through film, hoping to one day change the world and inspire others along the way! Some of his recent credits include Never Odd or Even, Samsara, and Black Boys Don’t Cry which premiered at the 48th Oscar Qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival.