‘Is God Is’: Two sisters seek out revenge

LOS ANGELES — In “Is God Is,” two sisters embark on a quest for revenge, but must confront a family history that will push them to extraordinary lengths.

The upcoming film marks Aleshea Harris’ directorial debut and adapts her award-winning play of the same name. For Harris, the film is a chance to invite more audiences to join Racine (Kara Young) and Anaia (Mallori Johnson) on their epic road trip to their destiny.

In an interview with Spectrum News, Harris said making the film gave her a megaphone to express things she’s been wanting to for years.

“Trying to remind people of the value of myself and other Black women and girls that anything is possible with a story,” she said. “That narrative that we should all think expansively about narrative. It has definitely allowed myself to be weird with this story. It has been tremendous.”

For Harris, “Is God Is” has also given a voice to people who live in the shadows, and she hopes that will resonate with viewers.

In the film, twins Racine and Anaia carry burn scars. But the scars represent more than just a tragic and violent act.

“The burns represent a lot. A reminder of what has happened to you. It is as if the trauma is wearing you,” Young told Spectrum News. “When we first meet these young women, they know they have been burned, but they don’t know where it comes from. They don’t know what the story is, so just like a lot of us in this world, we carry so much with us in our present lives but are not sure how it gets passed down.”

“Is God Is” opens in theaters May 15. It stars Young, Johnson, Vivica A. Fox, Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Mykelti Williamson, Josiah Gross and Sterling K. Brown.

Click the video above to watch the full interview with Harris, Young and Johnson.