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I am extremely grateful to have been introduced my producer and friend, Howard Nash. ‘Wisper’ is our fifth feature film together, and probably our most important collaboration to date. While too many human tragedies and upheavals have occurred throughout our history, stories such as Wisper have always fascinated me- as they explore an emotional upheaval in the life of just one individual- and, unlike survivors of devastating wars or persecutions, Josiah Wisper faced his trauma alone – with no opportunity to share a mutual common-cause with anyone, once he experienced this shattering event.

While it’s true that others may have suffered similar upheavals in their lives, such events remain uniquely personal to the person experiencing it- hence others can empathize, but can never truly relate.

Finally, I do believe that every film is a miracle to be proud of. For ‘Wisper’, that miracle included the talents of Christian Barber, Tim Cinnante, Naaji Kenn, Lanisha Gholston, Kenishia Green, Laquana Henny and Morris D. Small. In all, I had a tremendous satisfaction directing this film, for it indeed challenged me to the core. That said, I present to you our most recent and most powerful film to date, ‘Wisper’.

-- Russ Emanuel

Russell "Russ" Emanuel is an award-winning American director, producer, and independent filmmaker, having directed such actors as John Heard (actor), Robert Picardo, Vincent Pastore, Glynnis O'Connor, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Jeremy London, Ryan Hurst, William Devane, Marina Sirtis, Sean Kenney, Armin Shimerman, and Gary Graham. Originally from San Francisco, he grew up in both Japan and the United States, garnering an international viewpoint of the world throughout his childhood. After graduating from the University of Southern California to study Cinema-Television, he founded Russem Productions in 2002 in order to promote his short films including GIRL WITH GUN (2005) and documentary RESTORATION OF PARADISE (2014), as well as current films COLLAR (2017), THE ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE (2018), and THE ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE II (2021). Presently, WISPER (2020) marks Emanuel's fifth foray into feature filmmaking, after having directed P.J. (2007), CHASING THE GREEN (2009), THE LEGENDS OF NETHIAH (2012), and OCCUPANTS (2015).

I am extremely grateful to have been introduced my producer and friend, Howard Nash. ‘Wisper’ is our fifth feature film together, and probably our most important collaboration to date. While too many human tragedies and upheavals have occurred throughout our history, stories such as Wisper have always fascinated me- as they explore an emotional upheaval in the life of just one individual- and, unlike survivors of devastating wars or persecutions, Josiah Wisper faced his trauma alone – with no opportunity to share a mutual common-cause with anyone, once he experienced this shattering event.

While it’s true that others may have suffered similar upheavals in their lives, such events remain uniquely personal to the person experiencing it- hence others can empathize, but can never truly relate.

Finally, I do believe that every film is a miracle to be proud of. For ‘Wisper’, that miracle included the talents of Christian Barber, Tim Cinnante, Naaji Kenn, Lanisha Gholston, Kenishia Green, Laquana Henny and Morris D. Small. In all, I had a tremendous satisfaction directing this film, for it indeed challenged me to the core. That said, I present to you our most recent and most powerful film to date, ‘Wisper’.

-- Russ Emanuel