Movies by A.J. Edwards

A.J. Edwards has emerged as a distinctive voice in contemporary American cinema, crafting contemplative and visually stunning films that explore the complexities of the human experience. With a background in documentary filmmaking, Edwards brings a keen observational eye to his narrative features, eschewing traditional plot structures in favor of immersive, character-driven stories. His debut feature, "The Better Angels" (2014), is a poetic reimagining of Abraham Lincoln's childhood, depicting the formative years that shaped the future president's character and worldview. Employing a naturalistic style and a measured pace, Edwards invites the audience to inhabit the world of his characters, allowing their emotional journeys to unfold with a palpable sense of authenticity. This attention to character and mood has become a hallmark of Edwards' work, as evidenced in his subsequent films "Age Out" (2018) and the critically acclaimed "First Love" (2022). In "First Love," Edwards explores the tender and fragile bonds of adolescent romance, using the backdrop of a small Midwestern town to craft a deeply empathetic portrait of two young people navigating the complexities of growing up. With a focus on intimate moments and a sensory-driven approach to filmmaking, Edwards crafts a cinematic experience that is both visually captivating and emotionally resonant, firmly establishing him as a filmmaker to watch in the years to come.