Nathaniel Rateliff "Heartless"

A young boy attempts to escape his circumstances in his rural hometown but finds himself trapped, taking multiple walks down the same neighborhood street. Only when he shifts his perspective does a new outcome present its self. Along the way, he learns the valuable lesson of connection and survival. 

Growing up poor as dirt, in a part of the world long forgotten, I often found myself running away from my tumultuous upbringing diving head first into books, studies, writing, and theater, all in search of a different life. Through the arts, I found and continue to find my freedom. In a lot of ways, I modeled our lead character (Kevin Kelley) after myself. I was at first angry, blaming the world for what happened when we were kids, but eventually learned that by showing kindness, I was able to free myself of the pain. I am so thankful Nathaniel trusted me with such a personal note and important song for the world.

Introducing Kevin Kelley

Directed by Kimberly Stuckwisch @stuckwisch

Written by Kimberly Stuckwisch @stuckwisch & Justin Hamilton @justinphamilton

Produced by Sam Shapiro @samshapiro11

Executive Producer: Anthony A. DiMaria @aadimaria

Director of Photography: Justin Hamilton @justinphamilton

Production Designer: Jack Thomas @bluecoyotedesignstudio

Costume Designer: Kimberly Stuckwisch @stuckwisch

Edited by: Noah Radant @radant_creates

VFX Supervisor: Andres Jaramillo @andresjara2 & Noah Radant @radant_creates

Sound Design: Noah Radant @radant_creates

Colorist: Kaitlyn Battistelli @kaitlynbattistellli at Ethos @ethos_studio

Steadicam Operator: KC Kennicutt @kc_kentuckyjokes

1st AC: Anne Freivogel

Art Director: Beth Thomas @bluecoyotedesignstudio

On Set Dresser :Clark Woodman @bluecoyotedesignstudio

Art Swing: Kate Strembicki @bluecoyotedesignstudio

Art PA: Ed Lyons @bluecoyotedesignstudio

Makeup Artist: Elin Asvaldsdottir @makeupbyelin31

Gaffer: Tim Hawn @tim_hawn

Key Grip: Dave Kube @gatewaygrip

Key Grip: Ben Burke

Production Coordinator: Grace Haun @g_haun

Assistant Production Coordinator: Jaye Hodges @jayesoextra

Director's Assistant: Allie Barlow @alliebarlow

Production Assistants:

Amy Davidson @birdelord

Nicholas Jackson @glizzyhippie

Madison Lewis

Cast: Charles Heuvelman, Francesca Willenberg, Terry Ewing III, Ella Grace Hopkins, Tyce Thomas, Rex Bouma, Kenleigh Miller, Thomas Kramer, Jay Martinez, Pierre Cochran @pierremcochran, Quan Tran, Roderick Hopkins, Nicholas Jackson @glizzyhippie, Kristina Freese @kristinafreese, Theresa Huling, Ken Marsh, Cortney Kelley, Felice Thomas, Brittany Stirrup, Jasmine Roberts, Bishop Richmond, Phyllis Roberts, Kelly Cicerelli, Lari White, Joan Dietz

Label: Stax Records @staxrecords

Artist Management: 7S Management @7smgmt

Special Thanks:

The City of Belleville IL, Belleville City Clerk’s Office, Lari White @larimaewhite & Brock Russell @brockrussell, Caitlin Pugh @caitlinmpugh & Kyle Hoggatt , St. Paul’s Community Center, Glenn Seger, Joan Dietz, Residents of N 11th St in Belleville, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, James McKenzie @greatbignerd at Horizon Cine Glass LLC @horizin.cine.glass, Blue Coyote Design Studios @bluecoyotedesignstudio, Stacy Caudle at Images Agency Models & Actors @imagesagency, April Schroeder at Now Talent Management @nowtalent

A Dream Shepherd @dreamshepherdproductions + Pizza Bagel Studios Production