How a chance meeting at a Providence market launched a friendship and an aspiring filmmaker's career
'We talked for a while. He said that he and his wife [actress and author
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The two not only became fast friends, but Rockwell offered the 2019
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This film is about a flower delivery driver who, Osubor said, is trying to outrun the evils of his childhood. He's the success story of his town, because he's the only one of his friends who is not dead, in prison, or in rehab.
'On the contrary, he has a good, decent job and he stays out of trouble … but in life even though you might try to avoid trouble, trouble can still find you,' he said. The protagonist begins to suspect that the life he's been living isn't actually what he thought it was and, as Osubor explained, 'everything he knew and believed to be gospel was all just a facade. What happens when you have to choose not between 'good' and 'bad' options, but between the lesser of two evils?'
The Hamilton, Ohio, native – an only child whose parents emigrated to the United States from Nigeria in 1997, a year before he was born – said he is 'very proud' of 'Big Daddy's Flowers,' which he made on a shoestring budget of just $2,000. Some of the cost-saving measures included starring as the lead – in addition to directing and producing – hiring non-actors, and working out a deal with Parsons to be in his film.
'Karyn is the author of children's books and runs a nonprofit that tells children stories about the achievements of African Americans. She needed help with her website, so I told her I would do that if she would be a part of this film, since I could never afford her,' said Osubor, who since 2020 has owned a multimedia consulting company that develops media narrative campaigns for clients, including Narragansett Brewing Company, Google, and the New England branch of the Environmental Protection Agency.
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Osubor, who lives in Providence with roommates, said that filming in Rhode Island has been 'wonderful' not only because it is less expensive than elsewhere, but people have been 'so accommodating and supportive.'
'I've found the infrastructure/community more open to risk-taking and enterprising filmmaking,' he said. 'We had a lot of support rather than apprehension about what our intentions were.'
Osubor didn't always want to be a filmmaker. His original plan was to go to law school after he graduated from Brown. But he changed his mind after an internship in a government legal office in Washington, D.C., where he witnessed behavior that 'went against much of what I stand for.'
It was his disenchantment with politics and witnessing the polarization of people with different viewpoints – and the importance of compromise – that sparked Osubor's idea for his feature film, which he referred to as 'solid and vulnerable.'
'Films are accessible to people and often take up a fair amount of space in public discourse,' he said. 'I love literature [he majored in literary arts at Brown], but you don't hear people referencing [books] the way you hear them say, 'Hey, did you watch this series? Did you see this film?' '
Osubor is quick to point out that as much as he enjoyed making 'Big Daddy's Flowers,' it didn't come without challenges – mostly due to minimal funding. But he said obstacles led to the necessity to 'reorient your mind and look at things differently.'
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'Rejection should be viewed as a nudge … it had helped me to learn and grow,' he said.
Rockwell, 68, a father of two who was raised in Cambridge, Mass., said he mentored and worked with many young filmmakers when he was at NYU, and he liked what he saw in Osubor and in his work.
'His way of seeing things, his voice, his narrative … it's unique. He's fun and interesting and kind of odd. Right away I liked his work,' Rockwell said. 'He's very talented and very eager and willing. He jumps right into a situation.'
Osubor said he is grateful for Rockwell's support, mentorship, and now what has grown into a 'great friendship.'
He said Rockwell has been very helpful and he's looking forward to working in tandem with him to navigate next steps and 'defy these norms, think differently and find solutions to whatever future roadblocks that might exist.'
'This industry is becoming more accessible for filmmakers like me to enter the arena,' Osubor said, 'and the sense of confidence I've gained from making this film has been a great takeaway.'
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The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is a Zimbabwean Mbira, a musical instrument, seen in the Origins Cabin Thursday, July 24, 2025 in Fishers. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Charlotte Gwin, as Mary Curtis, the blacksmith's wife, hems a petticoat in Conner Prairie's immersive exhibit, 1836 Prairietown, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Fishers. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Resistance Cabin Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Resistance Cabin Thursday, July 24, 2025. Conner Prairie's Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communications Hyacinth Rucker, left, and Manager of Exhibit Development Allison Cosbey look at the displays. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Resistance Cabin Thursday, July 24, 2025. African American history of the 19th century is explored. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Resistance Cabin Thursday, July 24, 2025. African American history of the 19th century is explored. This image shows The Indianapolis Recorder, one of the top African American newspapers in the country. It was established as a weekly newspaper in 1897. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Resistance Cabin Thursday, July 24, 2025. African American history of the 19th century is explored. 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This is the Resistance Cabin Thursday, July 24, 2025. African American history of the 19th century is explored. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Resistance Cabin Thursday, July 24, 2025. African American history of the 19th century is explored. The tree, with roots stretching down and branches stretching upwards, is a common motif in the exhibit. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Conner Prairie's Manager of Exhibit Development Allison Cosbey shows the interactive digital experience that allows visitors to scan a QR code and identify photos in the Resistance Cabin at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025. The newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This cabin focuses on 19th century African American history. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Conner Prairie's Manager of Exhibit Development Allison Cosbey shows the interactive digital experience that allows visitors to scan a QR code and identify photos in the Resistance Cabin at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025. The newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This cabin focuses on 19th century African American history. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar A sleepy orange butterfly rests on a plant Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar A QR code allows visitors to hear people's stories and historic experiencs at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Their newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Reclamation Cabin, left, and Reflections Cabin, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Reclamation Cabin, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Reclamation Cabin, Thursday, July 24, 2025, focusing on the 20th and 21st centuries. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Reclamation Cabin, Thursday, July 24, 2025, focusing on the 20th and 21st centuries. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Reclamation Cabin, Thursday, July 24, 2025, focusing on the 20th and 21st centuries. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Reclamation Cabin, Thursday, July 24, 2025, focusing on the 20th and 21st centuries. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit is Conner Prairie's newest permanent exhibit. The exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This is the Reclamation Cabin, Thursday, July 24, 2025, focusing on the 20th and 21st centuries. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Conner Prairie's Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communications Hyacinth Rucker checks out the interactive display with information about The Negro Motorist Green Book, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in the Reclamation Cabin of the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit. The book, started in 1936, was published to help African Americans travel around the U.S. safely, during the time of Jim Crow laws and segregation. 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Conner Prairie's Promised Land is its newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, exploring Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. The Reclamation Cabin focuses on the 20th and 21st centuries. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Conner Prairie's Manager of Exhibit Development Allison Cosbey shows the Reflections Cabin at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Their newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This cabin allows visitors to reflect on what they have seen in the exhibit. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar A visitor's note is displayed in the Reflections Cabin at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Their newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This cabin allows visitors to reflect on what they have seen in the exhibit. They can share a thought with others by hanging it on the wall. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar A visitor's note is displayed in the Reflections Cabin at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Their newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This cabin allows visitors to reflect on what they have seen in the exhibit. They can share a thought with others by hanging it on the wall. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar A visitor's note is displayed in the Reflections Cabin at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Their newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. This cabin allows visitors to reflect on what they have seen in the exhibit. They can share a thought with others by hanging it on the wall. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Interpreters in period clothing and character, walk through Conner Prairie's immersive exhibit, 1836 Prairietown, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Fishers. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Muskmelons grow in the garden at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Their newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. Planted in the garden are foods that were grown in Africa or are substitutes for African cuisine. Many times people would hide seeds in their hair to bring their favorites from their homeland. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Conner Prairie Interpreter Courtney Hammill talks about the garden at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Their newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. Planted in the garden are foods that were grown in Africa or are substitutes for African cuisine. Many times people would hide seeds in their hair to bring their favorites from their homeland. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Okra is one of the plants in the gardens at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Their newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. The exhibit highlights the importance of food, family, faith and fellowship in the journey. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Peanut plants flourish in the garden at the Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit Thursday, July 24, 2025 at Conner Prairie. Their newest permanent exhibit, woven into the 1836 Prairietown exhibit, explores Black history from pre-colonial Africa to present-day America, the struggles, triumphs and contributions of African Americans. Planted in the garden are foods that were grown in Africa or are substitutes for African cuisine. Many times people would hide seeds in their hair to bring their favorites from their homeland. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar A goat grazes at Conner Prairie, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Fishers. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Goats and farm animals graze and enjoy the shade at Conner Prairie, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Fishers. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar Conner Prairie's 1839 Balloon Voyage rises over the property Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Fishers. Kelly Wilkinson/IndyStar
