UPDATE:Great Cast in New Film Depicting Actual Drug War Abomination
By Mona
UPDATE: [These cities/theatres are, so far, where this Samuel Goldwyn film is scheduled to play -- not exactly nationwide. I intend to call the major South Bend, Indiana theaters (the closest "metropolis" to me), and ask for it. Please do same wherever you may live.]
Via Pete Guither ar Drug War Rant we learn that:
American Violet (official film site) is based on the true story of one of those horribly destructive and racist drug war situations involving a snitch and the arrests of dozens of African-Americans in Hearne, Texas who often had no recourse but to plead guilty, even when they were innocent. One young black single mother had the courage to maintain her innocence and finally won, bringing to light the corruption involved in the drug war.
The movie has a top-notch cast (including Alfre Woodard, Charles Dutton, and Will Patton).
Spread the word and support the film if you can.
Pete has a YouTube trailer you can watch. American Violet opens April 17.
Comment by Nancy Lebovitz —
April 11, 2009 @ 8:16 am
Hot damn!
Well, from one angle…. from another, goddam this stuff is taking a long time to get into the public consciousness.
And the only places I’d heard of were Tullia and the more recent Teneha (that’s the one about looting motorists and in one case threatening to put their kids in foster care), but it isn’t surprising that there are more.
Any advice on what to say to people who answer stories like that with “Well, it’s Texas”?
Comment by Nancy Lebovitz —
April 11, 2009 @ 9:39 am
I spelled *both* of them wrong. Tulia. Tenaha. All hail google.
Comment by dhex —
April 11, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
excellent news. it’s playing in a bunch of places in the city.
Comment by Thoreau —
April 11, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
I’m all over this.
Comment by Thoreau —
April 11, 2009 @ 1:26 pm
Hmm, limited engagement. OK, maybe this is a Netflix for me.
Comment by Eric the .5b —
April 11, 2009 @ 3:24 pm
Well, it’s America.
Comment by Mona —
April 11, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
I’m still pretty p1ssed about the limited release. This is not a “nothing” cast – Alfre Woodard is a well-established actress, and the film is released by a major studio.
Next up should be: The Cory Maye Story.