By Romnie Vertus
Bae Night originated as a YouTube series created by Sandra Justice, Genji Jacques, and Luner Eugene to promote an event. The series quickly gained popularity, prompting demands for more content. To the creators’ surprise, “Bae Night” was nominated for the Miami Web Fest and went on to win Best Cinematography, Best Actress, and Best of the Best Awards.
On March 18th, 2023, I had the pleasure of interviewing Luner Eugene, the visionary behind the project. He delved into the details of how “Bae Night” came to fruition and highlighted the hard work and dedication of the team, including Antonese Johnson, Richatson “Rich Jean” Baptiste, Sandra Justice, Alexandra Bello, Genji Jacques, James O’Neal, Zorenzo, King Nathan, and his beloved Tonais Exantus.
During our interview, Mr. Eugene emphasized the importance of unity among black entrepreneurs and people, stressing the need to resolve differences peacefully. He expressed deep gratitude and admiration for his team, acknowledging the challenges they faced in producing “Bae Night” and the moments when he contemplated giving up. However, through perseverance, teamwork, and unity, they brought “Bae Night” to fruition—a film that delves into the complexities of marriage.
“Bae Night” tells a fictional tale of love, betrayal, and communication struggles within marriage. Mr. Eugene described it as a narrative shedding light on the harsh realities of marital bonds. The characters, Alexus (Sandra Justice) and Tony (Genji Jacques), appear to have it all but are plagued by lies and deceit, unraveling their relationship. The film explores themes of trauma, healing, and the consequences of unresolved issues.
Mr. Eugene also offered advice to aspiring directors, highlighting the importance of funding and distribution. He emphasized the need to network and build meaningful relationships in the industry, drawing from his own experiences.
Prior to his filmmaking career, Mr. Eugene’s passion lay in music, particularly Christian hip-hop. Following a challenging divorce and struggles with low self-esteem, he found solace in filmmaking, inspired by a student film contest. Despite not winning, he honed his skills and eventually premiered “Bae Night” to a sold-out audience on February 11, 2023, on Amazon Prime.
In conclusion, Mr. Eugene emphasized the importance of community support and encouraged viewers to experience “Bae Night” on Amazon Prime and the miniseries on YouTube. He teased his upcoming project, “Queens King,” slated for another sold-out premiere on August 26th, 2023—a film celebrating culture. See you there!
