Taheim Bryan

Taheim Bryan’s name rings bells in the indie film world, even if you’ve only brushed past his work. The guy had this gritty, no-nonsense style—like, he didn’t sugarcoat or dance around the tough stuff. Equal Standard (2020)? That one hit hard, especially in New York, tackling police violence and racial tension head-on. He didn’t shy away from the messiness of real life, and you could feel the city breathing in every single frame. Some folks say he brought a kind of street poetry to the screen—raw, a little rough around the edges, but seriously captivating. Before Equal Standard, he was already hustling—The Businessman (2014) showed he had a knack for the underdog story, digging into ambition, betrayal, and all the drama that comes with trying to make it in a world that barely gives you a shot. The characters always felt like people you’d actually meet, not just Hollywood cutouts. He was also involved with South Side, another testament to his love for stories rooted in real places, real struggles. The thing is, Bryan’s work had this pulse, you know? A kind of urgency. Maybe it’s because he grew up seeing both sides of the street—the dreams and the dirt, the hope and the heartbreak. Losing him in 2021, right in Long Island City, felt like a gut punch to the scene. He left behind stories that still echo, especially for anyone who’s ever felt like the odds were stacked against them. Not many filmmakers can say that.