Henry Green. I Am Shakespeare, 2017
About the Event
Site Projects | Projections 2016 presented “I AM Shakespeare” — a private screening and conversation with award-winning director Stephen Dest and Henry Green. The gathering in New Haven honored Henry Harris Green IV’s life and legacy, tracing his journey from a victim of gun violence to a powerful voice for forgiveness and transformation.
After surviving a near-fatal shooting as a teenager, Green dedicated his life to uplifting others through art, mentorship, and public speaking. The event brought together community members, artists, and supporters to reflect on his impact and to share the documentary capturing his story and enduring message.
Green, a respected actor and motivational speaker whose life became the focus of the film, later died from medical complications at age 26 in a Washington, D.C. hospital on July 22.
In the weeks following his passing, his story continued to be shared and honored. A celebration of his life was held at 11 a.m. at Vertical Church on Meloy Road in West Haven, open to the public. His family also launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover medical and funeral expenses. Family and friends, in later interviews, reflected on the profound impact Green had on the New Haven community, emphasizing the lasting influence of his short but meaningful life.
Make it stand out.
Green in Lead role of Jesus Christ Superstar at Co-op. Credit: ROB ESPOSITO PHOTO
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
The Movie
Several years after recovering from the shooting, Green was approached by filmmaker Stephen Dest with the idea of making a film about his story.
Although he was initially uncertain, Green eventually recognized that, much like his ongoing community work, the project could serve as a way to help others. What began as a concept for a scripted drama with actors gradually shifted into a documentary. It also developed into a unique cinematic approach centered largely on Green himself as the storyteller.
Throughout the film, Green holds the viewer’s attention as he works through his past, confronting personal fears, trauma, and unresolved emotions in an open and direct way.
Dest described the filmmaking process as meaningful for Green, saying it gave him a “sense of comfort and closure.”
