Netflix Acquires Academy Award-Nominated Live Action Short Film ‘Two Distant Strangers’

Netflix has acquired the Oscar-nominated Live Action Short nominee Two Distant Strangers, which begins streaming April 9 on the streamer.

The film, written by Emmy winner Travon Free and directed by Free and Martin Desmond Roe, revolves around the repeated attempts by cartoonist Carter James (played by rapper Joey Bada$$) to get home to his dog as he is thwarted by a recurring deadly encounter that forces him — in a twist on movies from Groundhog Day to Palm Springs — to relive the same awful day over and over again.

In a statement given, Directors Travon Free & Martin Desmond Roe said “When we set out to create this short in the middle of the simultaneous pandemic and social justice crises, we didn’t know what to expect.  But in just 5 days, we pulled off the nearly impossible to make this incredible film.  And all of us have been so filled with gratitude to see so many people responding to this story of resilience and perseverance.  Two Distant Strangers tackles a tough subject for everyone, but in an effort to forge a new direction in the conversation.  And now having Netflix come on board to bring that message to millions is an incredible opportunity.”

Among the producers are multiple Oscar nominee Lawrence Bender (Pulp Fiction), Jesse Williams, Chris Uettwiller and Sean “Diddy” Combs. Executive producers include Michael A. Conley II, Kevin Durant, Tina Exarhos, Samir Hernandez, Terrence Jenkins, Rich Kleiman, Van Lathan, Nicholas Maye, Athan Stephanopoulos, Mickey Meyer, Michael Novogratz, The Pritzker Pucker Family and Jordan Schultz.