Straight Out of Brooklyn

Infobox_Film
name = Straight Out of Brooklyn


caption = "Straight Out of Brooklyn" film poster
director = Matty Rich
producer = Matty Rich
writer = Matty Rich
starring = Larry Gilliard Jr.
George T. Odom
Matty Rich
music = Harold Wheeler |
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = Samuel Goldwyn Company
released = June, 1991 (USA)
runtime = 91 min.
language = English
budget = $450,000
amg_id = 1:47166
imdb_id = 0102989|

"Straight Out of Brooklyn" is an 1991 independent film directed by Matty Rich in his directorial debut. The film is a gritty story about Dennis (played by Larry Gilliard Jr.), an African-American teen living in a housing project with his sister, mother and abusive, alcoholic father. Fed up with his family's seemingly hopeless future, he plans with his friends to rob a drug dealer.

Production

Rich wrote the screenplay when he was 17. The film was made over a period of two years with an amateur cast working for free. Rich himself plays Dennis' friend, Larry. He financed much of the budget with credit cards and donations from family members. Rich also raised money by going on a New York City radio station and asking listeners for donations. Listeners donated a total of $77,000. The total budget was $450,000. Upon release, the film was critically acclaimed and grossed $2.7 million at the box office. He was just 19 years old when the film was released.

Awards

At the 1992 Independent Spirit Awards, Rich won the award for Best First Feature. George T. Odom was nominated for Best Supporting Male for his portrayal of the father. Composer Harold Wheeler was nominated for Best Film Music.

The film won a Special Jury Prize at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival.

External links

*imdb title|0102989