The Parable of Lamont Coleman

Directed by: Clark Slater

Stage:
- Production
Location:
- New York, United States
Updated: April 6, 2026
Project Type:
- Feature
Project Style:
- Archival ,
- Narrative/Doc Mix
Theme Subject:
- Biographical / Portrait,
- Crime,
- Music

Logline

On the verge of becoming a rap legend, Lamont Coleman aka BIG L’s life splits between fame and fate—culminating in a murder that exposes a hidden history of brotherhood, betrayal, and violence stretching back generations...

Synopsis

THE PARABLE OF LAMONT COLEMAN is a gripping documentary that examines the mystery behind the murder of Lamont “Big L” Coleman - not through the lens of fame, but through the eyes of the one man left behind.

Today, his brother Donald—the sole survivor of a Harlem family marked by tragedy—tries to live a quiet life as a father and grandfather, but as he retraces the events surrounding Lamont’s death, the story he’s long believed begins to unravel, forcing him

...

What begins as a search for answers about what shaped his family’s fate becomes something far more unsettling: a portrait of a world where survival demanded impossible choices, and every action carried consequences no one could outrun.

As past and present collide, Donald must decide what to pass down - the weight of that history, or a chance to finally leave it behind. Using never before seen archival spanning decades, from the rise of 139th Street to its collapse, the film reveals a story that feels less like coincidence and more like design - a modern-day tragedy about legacy, accountability, and the thin line between fate and choice.

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Team

Clark Slater

Director

Team

Clark Slater

Director

Born and raised in NYC, Clark Slater is a documentary filmmaker, commercial director, and editor whose work is defined by rare access and emotional precision. He creates intimate portraits set against larger cultural forces, capturing people at pivotal moments in their lives. His debut feature, Don't Try To Understand: A Year in the Life of Earl "DMX" Simmons, premiered at the Tribeca Festival and streams on HBO Max. His second feature, The Choice Is Yours (2023), premiered on Paramount+. In addition to his feature work, he has directed award-winning documentary shorts, branded content and campaigns for HBO, VICE, Google, TIME, The New York Times, Paramount+, Univision, Amazon Prime Video, Showtime, and more. Clark continues to collaborate with artists, brands, and platforms to develop character-driven stories across documentary, film, and branded storytelling.

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Grants & Awards

2026 $200k private investment

Our Ask

To date we have captured roughly 40% of the film, as well as licensed never before seen archival. We are looking to secure an investment of $550k or co-production, or pre-sale deal to finish the film.