Omar Dorsey Stars In ‘Mr. Benjamin’s Birthday,’ A Look at Black Men, Mental Health and Aging

Mr. Benjamin’s Birthday is an examination of mortality, depression, friendship and family. Those are all heavy topics for a short film to address, but the project from Crystle Roberson-Dorsey and starring Omar Dorsey navigates the subject matter with heart and humor. The film also stars Barry Shabaka Henley, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Affion Crockett. Okayplayer sat down with the married couple to talk about why this project was so important to them. 

Okayplayer: What do you want this story to communicate about Black men’s emotional health?

Crystle Roberson-Dorsey: Black men as a whole have been enduring centuries of inherited stress and pressure, especially in America. I want to normalize the conversation of mental health across age gaps, especially since men over 75 have the highest rate of suicide in the country. It's important that this film raise awareness and, hopefully, spark some conversation so that people can open up about their own struggles and get the help they need.

Omar Dorsey: Black men for generations have been suffering in silence. There is a stigma amongst us that makes us deem therapy (group or individually) is for the weak so we keep things inside and like a levy that continues to get pounded by water, we eventually burst. I want this film to at least open up the dialogue amongst brothers from all ages. That’s really been our mission.

Why was it important to emphasize the emotional hardships people face when they’re older?

Omar: I empathize with the older generation. The inevitability of mortality is staring them in their face on the daily. They are losing friends, loved ones and many people they’ve known their whole life, which could very easily cause depression. Mr. Benjamin is a lonely man without family... No kids, no wife... so he is carrying so much loneliness because no one is around him except his caregivers.

Crystle: If we're lucky, we will all grow old one day. A long, healthy life is the American dream. But our elders must endure the bittersweetness of long life, which often means living with grief and tolerating chronic health conditions. Depression in our elders can manifest as physical complaints that are easily mistaken for common signs of aging. It also needs to be emphasized that elderly people tend to be ignored within their communities. However, elders still have life to live and they also have the ability to enjoy new development, learn new things, meet new people. Making a friend with an older person could save a life and maybe even give them a reason to want to explore and discover new possibilities at any age. 

Describe the evolution of Mr. Hall and what that change says about embracing joy as self-care. 

Omar: Mr. Hall is a man who was going through a bit of a midlife crisis. Ever since a bad breakup with his lady, he’s been stuck in a dead-end job and is just going through the motions day to day. The most excitement he has is timing the toaster perfectly and waking up at the very second that his alarm clock goes off. His friends are trying to pick him up, but he refuses to be helped. I have been there, I am the same age as Mr. Hall and there’s been times of my life That I would wallow in my own self pity so it’s been very easy for me to reflect that character, Reno is a man, just like Omar Dorsey, who has been through up and downs, ebbs and flows, but at the end of the day he fights his way out of it.

Crystle: I love this question because the evolution of Mr. Hall is what I'd hoped people would cling to as I was writing the script. Reno mirrors Mr. Benjamin, in a way, whereas both have gotten stuck in a rut. And they're both faced with the question of "What is life without love?" However, what they both need is to reimagine the possibilities of life and stop underestimating the treasures that finding joy could bring. When Reno witnesses Mr. Benjamin's choices, he's impacted to make a change within his own, and finally start "living" again. Mr. Benjamin's Birthday is a story of life, death, and rebirth. 

 How do you relate Mr. Benjamin’s suicidal thoughts to emotions that many struggle with — regardless of age? 

Omar: Sometimes people think that they’re at their wits' end. A dead end. There’s nowhere to go except backwards and that’s not a direction that they want to face. But there is always a new direction to go in life.

Crystle: I want people to know they are never alone in the struggle. Pain is universal. There are people out there who understand exactly what another is going through - even if they are decades older or younger. Talking about how you feel is a good thing to do; whether it's with your children, your elders, or any age in between. At the core, Mr. Benjamin was dealing with grief and loneliness. These are common suppressed emotions among people of all ages. 

Have you seen growth amongst Black men as far as embracing wellness and discussing mental/emotional health? Is there still a stigma? Is each generation different in how they address these issues?

Crystle: I'm afraid there is still much work to do when it comes to the conversation regarding mental/emotional health of African American men. They are less likely to seek therapy and have increasing rates of suicide. It's a topic that needs to be pushed into the forefront in order to highlight the magnitude of care that is needed. Storytelling helps to expose viewers to new ideas and behaviours. I'm hopeful that this film can be a part of the movement needed to make a change for the better. 

Omar: I personally have seen Black men, especially my friends, in particular, embrace therapy, mental wellness, and deep diving into their own psyche. It’s a beautiful thing. I’m blessed to have friends and a certain group chats with wonderful, loving and strong brothers. We check in with each other, we might joke, laugh, cry or whatever but at the end of the day, it’s a check-in group chat and it’s the healthiest thing I’ve ever been part of as far as friendship goes.

What do you hope viewers take away from “Mr. Benjamin’s Birthday?”

Omar: I hope that people take away from Mr. Benjamin‘s Birthday that it’s never too late to reconstruct your life.

You never know what is around the corner, so never ever give up.

Crystle: I want viewers to walk away from this film knowing there is always something to live for - that life is full of surprises - if you just hold on to it.