Sundance award-winning film maker Alrick Brown addressed the City Council Monday about his latest project, "My Manz and 'Em," which will be filmed here and will offer internships in addition to bringing income to local businesses.
Brown sought city support, though not funding, and will be launching a $60,000 Kickstarter campaign to get the project rolling.
"I'm invested in this town - we're invested in this town," he said, indicating author J.M. Benjamin, on whose book the film is based.
Brown traced Benjamin's life, from running the streets to twelve years in state and federal prison and eventually to becoming a writer with twelve urban fiction books to his credit. The main character in "My Manz and 'Em" lives a career of crime with bravado, but once behind bars finds his life a sham as his street brothers desert him.
The message for young people, Brown said, is "There is no loyalty in the streets."
Speaking about choices, Brown advised, "Choose your hustle." With his Kickstarter campaign for his film adaptation of Benjamin's novel, he said, "I've chosen mine."
(To see an example of Kickstarter campaigns, see a successful one by Spike Lee here. To learn more about Alrick Brown, click here. Here is a New York Times article about J.M. Benjamin and his writing.
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Great recap Bernice...Thank you for your continuous contribution as a voice and informer of Plainfield about Plainfield...And thank you for your ongoing support throughout the years! Sincerely, Your Manz And 'Em J.M. Benjamin :)
ReplyDeleteAlrick is a wonderful filmmaker--deserving all the accolades he has received--"Kinyarwanda" is an excellent movie--it's available at JM's store. Everyone should purchase two copies--one for themselves and one to give to a friend. I read "My Manz And 'Em"--a riveting cautionary tale (also available at JM's, of course--lol). I look forward to the film shoot in our city.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Where is the store at?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find the movie on Netflix or RedBox
ReplyDelete