Lewis T. Powell is blazing a trail for himself as one of Hollywood’s most vibrant and creative filmmakers. Powell has challenged audiences to confront the past with his critically-acclaimed short film, called “Padlock Men.”
Powell’s character, Walter “Posey” Fodrell, shares one of his youthful memoirs of the historically secret band of vigilante civil rights soldiers known as the Padlock Men “Blood for Blood Knuckles Dirty.” Powell is also known for his roles in the films “Kings” starring Halle Berry and Daniel Craig, “Squatters” starring Richard Dreyfuss and Gabriella Wiilde, and for his appearances in the television series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
The 17-minute television pilot teaser that doubles as a short film serves as a slice and catalyst into the world of Lewis’s full project that is being developed as a one-hour episodic fictionalized drama/thriller limited series revolving around actual events set upon the backdrop of the civil rights movement.
Padlock Men is said to be the perfect intersection of “American Gangsta” and Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” with the intelligent gritty, ruthless and humanistic compassion of the WGN’s “Underground”.
The short film pilot teaser follows 86-year-old Fodrell sharing one of his youthful memoirs of an historically unknown secret pact between Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and John F. Kennedy.
Powell’s “Padlock Men,” which he wrote, directed and starred, resulted in 28 official film festival selections with 17 wins and nominations for its depiction of the historically secret band of vigilante civil rights soldiers.
“The journey is the experience and the experience is the journey,” Powell said. “I believe, if you aim for the sky, but move slowly, enjoying every step along the way, it is all those little steps that make the journey complete.” “Sometimes, it just takes a little longer to get to your destination, but if you make sure to enjoy the journey, eventually, you will get there.”
Powell continues to appear in films, as well as earning notice as a writer, producer, and director. “Padlock Men” is available on Amazon Prime.
Follow Lewis Powell on social media at Twitter/IG: @LewisTPowell
