Berner Makes A Big Splash in Independent Film

When people think about Gilbert Anthony Milam Jr. — known to fans by his professional name, Berner — they usually think of hit albums such as Hempire (2016) and From Seed To Sale (2022) or of his successful cannabis brand, Cookies. Now with Splash City, Berner is making a splash in the world of independent film, as co-writer, co-director and executive producer, bringing a personal story to the screen.

“I’ve been wanting to get into film for a long time. This is like the next level of storytelling for me,” Berner says. After releasing more than 36 albums and becoming a New York Times bestselling author, he saw filmmaking as the next evolution of his creative career. “I’ve made albums, I’ve done a book, so the next natural thing is film.” 

Splash City is a gritty crime thriller that explores family, loyalty, survival and the impossible choices people make when hope seems out of reach. Set on the streets of San Francisco, the film follows brothers Juju (Reed Shannon, Pulse, Night Patrol) and Slim (TJ Atoms, Blue Bloods, Sugar Baby) as they struggle to break free from the violence and poverty that define their lives. While Slim pursues basketball as his ticket to a brighter future, Juju is drawn deeper into a dangerous world of smash-and-grab robberies under the influence of Dolo (newcomer Quincy Adams Brooks), the ruthless young ringleader who runs the streets. As tensions rise and betrayal closes in, Juju is forced to confront whether he can escape the cycle that shaped him — or whether he is destined to be consumed by it.

While the story is fictional, Berner drew from his life experiences to bring a sense of realism. “A lot of it was built for the film, but characters were inspired by people I came across in my life,” Berner says. For Berner, the film represents an opportunity to tell a story rooted in the communities that influenced him. Rather than presenting a simplistic portrait of street life, Splash City focuses on the people behind the headlines — the relationships, pressures and personal struggles that shape difficult decisions.

The journey to complete the film was as challenging as the story itself. Originally planned as a $500,000 production, the budget eventually grew to nearly $1 million. After the initial 15-day shoot, additional scenes were needed to complete the story. Berner stepped in, taking on even more responsibility as a filmmaker. “We shot the film in 15 days, and there were about 23 to 28 pickup scenes left to shoot,” Berner explains. Director Alex Furrufino (Slipping Into Darkness) wasn’t available, and money was sparse. “I knew that the budget had run away from us already,” Berner says. “I took it upon myself to take the 20 scenes, write them myself, direct them myself and finish the film.”

That hands-on approach reflects the same independent spirit that has defined Berner’s career. From music to business ventures, he has built his success by taking creative risks and connecting directly with audiences. With Splash City, he hopes to bring that same authenticity to the film world. The project also represents a larger hope for more stories from the Bay Area to find their audience. For Berner, the film is not only about his own transition into filmmaking but about creating space for other voices from his community. “I would really hope that they want more stories and more films from the Bay Area,” Berner says. “Whether it be for me or the filmmakers from my area, I hope that people want that.”

As Splash City opens in this Friday — with a local engagement playing exclusively at AMC Theaters in West Jordan — Berner is taking his commitment to storytelling to a new level, shining light on the experiences, struggles and triumphs of the community where he grew up and one community that deserves to be seen on screen.

Read more film interviews from Patrick Gibbs: 
Patrick Page Gives ‘Em Hell in Hadestown: The Musical
Confronting a Legacy in My Grandfather Charles Manson

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