Color Book

David Fortune’s Color Book is a poignant exploration of grief, fatherhood, and perseverance, centered around the delicate relationship between a father and his son who has Down syndrome. The film, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2024, has drawn widespread praise for its ability to convey deep emotion through minimalistic storytelling and its departure from common cinematic stereotypes about Black fatherhood. Set in the heart of Metro Atlanta, the narrative follows Lucky (William Catlett) and his son Mason (Jeremiah Daniels) on a simple yet emotionally significant journey to a baseball game. Despite its straightforward premise, Color Book is packed with meaningful, intimate moments that highlight the bond between father and son.

At its core, Color Book tells the story of a single father, Lucky, who is grappling with the sudden death of his wife. As he tries to navigate this painful loss, he is also tasked with raising Mason, an 11-year-old boy with Down syndrome. The film takes the viewer along on their day-long quest to attend a baseball game, which becomes a metaphor for their journey through grief and healing. The physical obstacles they face, from car troubles to missed trains, mirror the emotional challenges Lucky confronts in trying to build a new life without his partner​
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The beauty of the film lies in its simplicity. The mundane yet emotionally charged moments—like Mason’s frequent use of his coloring book as a way to make sense of his world, or Lucky’s quiet sorrow as he deals with reminders of his late wife—add depth to the narrative without overwhelming the audience. The film’s title, Color Book, is a metaphor for Mason’s drawings, which represent both his innocence and his method of interpreting the world, offering a stark contrast to his father’s burdened reality​

One of the most remarkable aspects of Color Book is its depiction of Black fatherhood. David Fortune sought to challenge the harmful stereotypes often portrayed in cinema by showing a father who is present, caring, and deeply committed to his son’s well-being. The character of Lucky is not the absent or irresponsible figure so frequently depicted in media, but rather a man doing everything he can to protect and nurture his child in the wake of their shared loss​

David Fortune has spoken about the importance of presenting a narrative that breaks away from the typical portrayals of Black fathers in cinema. Lucky’s devotion to Mason—whether it's in the small, everyday actions of helping him navigate his intellectual disabilities or in the way he protects Mason from the realities of their situation—offers a refreshing portrayal of fatherhood. Additionally, the film touches on the broader theme of community as Lucky encounters other Black fathers raising children with disabilities, subtly highlighting the shared struggles and triumphs of these men​

David Fortune’s choice to shoot the film in black and white adds a layer of intimacy to the story. The lack of color strips away distractions, forcing the audience to focus on the emotions of the characters and their interactions. According to Fortune, this stylistic decision was less about aesthetics and more about emphasizing the relationship between Lucky and Mason. The monochromatic palette reflects the film’s somber tone, yet within that grayscale world, the warmth and complexity of their bond shine through​

The absence of color also complements the themes of grief and loss. As Lucky struggles to move forward after his wife’s death, the world seems drained of vibrancy, but his relationship with Mason provides glimmers of hope and healing. The visual choice reinforces the idea that while life may lose its "color" after tragedy, it can still hold meaning and beauty in unexpected ways​

William Catlett’s portrayal of Lucky is a standout in the film. He brings a quiet strength to the role, often conveying emotion through subtle gestures and expressions rather than grand displays of grief. His ability to depict the weight of his sorrow without sinking into melodrama makes his performance particularly compelling. Scenes like the one where Lucky silently removes his wife’s belongings from her wrecked car demonstrate Catlett’s capacity to communicate layers of emotion with minimal dialogue​

Jeremiah Daniels, who plays Mason, delivers a touching performance as well. His character may not always fully understand the magnitude of the loss they’ve suffered, but Daniels adeptly conveys the confusion, frustration, and love that a child in Mason’s position would experience. The dynamic between Catlett and Daniels is the heart of the film, and their chemistry feels genuine, allowing the audience to invest in their journey deeply​

Color Book is more than just a father-son road trip; it’s a meditation on how people cope with loss, the importance of presence, and the unexpected ways in which healing can manifest. The journey to the baseball game represents the steps Lucky and Mason must take toward finding a new normal, even though the world around them has irrevocably changed. By the end of the film, it becomes clear that the healing they seek isn't at the final destination, but in the small moments of connection they share along the way​

David Fortune has crafted a film that resonates on multiple levels: it’s a commentary on the resilience of the human spirit, a challenge to stereotypes of Black fatherhood, and a sensitive portrayal of the experiences of raising a child with a disability. Color Book stands out for its emotional authenticity, its quiet strength, and its ability to inspire reflection long after the credits roll.

Color Book
Directed by David Fortune
Produced by Kiah Clingman, Kristen Uno, Autumn Bailey-Ford & David Fortune
Written by David Fortune
Starring Will Catlett, Jeremiah Daniels, Brandee Evans, Terri J. Vaughn, Njema Williams, Kia Shine Coleman, Joseph Curtis Callender
Music: Dabney Morris
Director of photography: Nikolaus Summerer
Editing: Oriana Soddu
Production companies: Color Book LLC.
Distributed by: NC
Release date: NC
Running time : 98 minutes

Seen on September 10, 2024 at the Deauville International Center

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