The New Black
| The New Black | |
|---|---|
 Scene from The New Black, released May 25, 2024 | |
| The New Black | 2024 |
| Directed by | Leonid Petrov |
| Produced by | Lennikoff Film Studio |
| Production company | Lennikoff Film Studio |
| Country of origin | Borograd |
| Language | Orylian |
| Genre | War drama, political thriller, historical epic |
| Running time | 135 minutes |
| Release date | May 25, 2024 |
| Budget | Significant for domestic production |
The New Black is a 2024 war drama film produced in Borograd by the Lennikoff Film Studio. Directed by Leonid Petrov and starring Amara Okeke, the movie depicts the early years of the Protectorate Wars (2035–2041), focusing on the conflict between the Ulmarkan Empire and the Orylian Federation. The narrative explores the human cost of the war on the Salt Coast, drawing inspiration from real historical events such as the establishment of theocratic states like Santa Berllium within former territories of the Orylian Federation.1
The film is set against the backdrop of the brutal colonial campaign to seize grain land and shipyards along the north-eastern coast of Rendorlin. It portrays the Ulmarkan landing at Port Ysa in 2035 and the subsequent occupation that established the Ulmarkan Protectorates. The story highlights the suffering of the local population, including the Veyari civilians who were killed during the Salt Coast Clearances ordered by Marshal Hjalmar Sorn.2
Overview
[edit]Released on May 25th, 2024, The New Black premiered as one of the first major productions to showcase the conflict between the Ulmarkan Empire and the Orylian Federation during the Protectorate era. The film was produced by the Lennikoff Film Studio based in Borograd, utilizing state-of-the-art cinematography from that period. It stars Amara Okeke as a protagonist navigating the moral complexities of a war-torn landscape where martial law has been imposed on the conquered territories.3
The genre is defined as a war drama, blending elements of political thriller and historical epic. The script, developed in secret by the studio before the outbreak of hostilities, drew heavily from declassified documents regarding the ██████████████████████████'s strategic plans for the Salt Coast.4 Critics noted the film's unflinching portrayal of atrocities, including the Dunmarrow Massacre, without resorting to gratuitous gore or sensationalism.
Production
[edit]Production began in 2023 at the Lennikoff Film Studio in Borograd, a hub for cinema in the Orylian Federation. The studio, known for its commitment to realistic depictions of Orylia's history, secured funding from several private investors who wished to document the legacy of the Protectorate Wars before official censorship measures were tightened by the Empire. The cast included rising stars and veteran actors willing to take on roles that challenged the status quo.5
Technical advancements in visual effects allowed for immersive reconstructions of battlefields such as Ostholm and the Great Arena of Vharnhold. The production team faced challenges regarding access to certain locations, particularly areas still under martial law or designated as military zones by the Ulmarkan Empire. Despite these restrictions, the crew managed to secure permits for filming in neutral ground and reconstructed key scenes using practical effects and matte paintings.6
The film's budget was significant for a domestic production at the time, reflecting the high demand for content that addressed the ongoing geopolitical tensions. Post-production took place over eighteen months, during which the directors worked closely with historians to ensure accuracy in depicting the uniforms, weaponry, and social structures of both the Empire and the Federation.7
Plot
[edit]The narrative follows a group of journalists and civilians caught in the crossfire of the Ulmarkan advance. It opens with the Ulmarkan landing at Port Ysa in 2035, depicting the initial shock and resistance from local populations. As the war progresses, the film shifts focus to the harsh realities faced by those living under martial law, including labor conscription in Oil Homesteads and the displacement of refugees into camps on the Salt Coast.8
A central plotline involves the investigation into the Ostholm experiments, a breakaway Landonite faction's human trials that occurred between 2034 and 2038. The film reveals how