By: Ashmar Mandou

Filmmaker and musician Darrly Mitchell transformed his childhood pain into a career in the arts creating and directing films and connecting with people through music. As a native of Los Angeles, Mitchell moved to Chicago at the age of two where he grew up in an abusive household, which led to low self-esteem, depression, and a suicide attempt, Mitchell said. Mitchell made it his mission to navigate through that pain and set an example for youth to follow. “Growing up in several underserved communities there are so many more negative stories than there is positive. I want to try and debunk the stereotypes and be an example,” said Mitchell. In a recent interview, Mitchell opened up about his love for the arts and his future goal at brining youth together.

Lawndale Bilingual News: You have shared in your bio that your upbringing wasn’t an ideal environment for a young child to thrive. You experienced abuse and neglect; how were you able to navigate through that trauma and survive?

Darryl Mitchell: As a child I had no choice but to endure the abuse. Growing up as I did, I would write on one side of the paper how my life was, on the other side of the paper I would write how I wished my life was different/better.

Lawndale Bilingual News: How would you say your experience inspired you to become a filmmaker and a musician?

Darryl Mitchell: This was my first experience on how to write about things in life. Coming from a broken home I did not know how to connect with people, music is a universal language, music allowed me to connect with people to a certain degree. Growing up I witnessed/experienced how people would listen to music, but not much anything else, so I learned how to play several instruments, later I learned how to do recording engineering and- producing it was my way of getting people to listen to me growing up.

Lawndale Bilingual News: You created a film, entitled The Dark Total-Eclipse, which garnered buzz. What can you tell me about the film? What was the most enjoyable aspect of working on a film?

Darryl Mitchell:  My film The Dark Total -Eclipse is one of many films I have produced, I won an award for my film “I am” in 2016 and an award for my film” The Creature of Thatcher Woods” in 2017 from the international film festival,. but my latest film (The Dark Total -Eclipse) was my first film to get into theaters. The film (The Dark Total -Eclipse) is a horror film that will keep you on edge. We started production on the film 2017 filmed in several communities, Oak park, River forest, Melrose park, Berwyn Illinois, Forest Park and North river side shopping plaza completed 2019  the film was slated for national release spring 2020 COVID happened and caused a major disruption for the film’s release, recently we decided to pick up where we left off because of the recent eclipse April 8, news about my film (The Dark Total -Eclipse) spread throughout, and the theater got wind of the film and contacted me we held a meet and greet at the debut of (The Dark Total -Eclipse) on April 8. The most enjoyable aspect of making a film is being on set filming in different locations learning how things work behind the scenes.

Lawndale Bilingual News: In the realm of creating, you have shared interest in developing a support group to serve as an inspiration for youth. Can you talk to me about the social support group? What goals do you have in mind for the support group?

Darryl Mitchell: I have a passion to develop a support group for youth and young adults in part because of my personal experiences, nobody was there for me and to inspire others to channel their adversity into something positive that would help others. This Social group will be a place where people, especially millennials and Gen Z can go/come to feel safe to be heard listened to, express themselves without judgement a place where they can feel and know that they are supported. This Social support group will offer a variety of activities, movie nights, picnics board games, cooking class, knitting, trips to local parks/Forest and a host of other activities.

Lawndale Bilingual News: For youth struggling and in similar circumstances to when you were a child, what advice do you have for them to continue moving forward?

Darryl Mitchell: Advice for struggling youths, never stop reached for your dream(s) do something every day to make your dreams a reality.

Lawndale Bilingual News: What other projects do you have set for the next few years?

Darryl Mitchell: Other projects I have several films in the works, currently my first single (UNCERTAIN TIMES-COVID 19) is being aired/played on a few local radio stations. I am currently getting ready to release new music. My next film (Funny Bone) an all-bilingual female romantic comedy and I will be holding auditions in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago to fill the roles in the coming months.