American Violet Trailer, Xzibit Promo Pic + Lockdown, USA

American Violet Trailer: Starring Newcomer Nicole Beharie

From promo materials for American Violet:

"opens in theaters on April 17 starring Alfre Woodard, Michael O’Keefe, Tim Blake Nelson, Will Patton, Charles S. Dutton, Xzibit and newcomer Nicole Beharie."

"Based on real events and set in a small Texas town in the midst of the 2000 Bush/Gore Presidential election, AMERICAN VIOLET tells the astonishing story of Dee Roberts (critically hailed newcomer Nicole Beharie), a 24 year old African-American single mother of four who is wrongfully swept up in a drug raid."

"Despite the urgings of her mother... and with her freedom and the custody of her children at stake, she chooses to fight the powerful district attorney...and the unyielding criminal justice system he represents. Joined in an unlikely alliance with an ACLU attorney...and former local narcotics officer...Dee risks everything in a battle that forever changes her life, and the Texas justice system."

Alfre Woodward as Alma Roberts & Xzibit as Darrell Hughes

Looks like a moving story with great actors about an important example of the tragic and unfinished tale of America's misdirected drug wars and corrupt legal system.

Of related interest:
Lockdown, USA Trailer

"Lockdown, USA, is a feature documentary that chronicles Hip-Hop impresario Russell Simmons dramatic campaign to reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws, the controversial New York State laws created in 1973, which became the foundation to Americas War on Drugs."

NY Times Editorial:
Rockefeller Laws: An End in Sight

Official Sites:
American Violet
Lockdown, USA

[Photo Credit: Scott Saltzman / SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS]

Comments

[Slav]

I met X recently at B-Real's video shoot and he mentioned two movies he was in were coming out this year, including "American Violet." Dude's got personality but still gotta take those acting classes, lol. Go figure. A transition that rappers gotta go through. Can't imagine what Calvin Broadus had to do ...

[Clyde Smith]

I actually haven't seen a rapper successfully make the transition to actor. I don't think any of them have really trained that seriously, at least, not from what they show on the screen.

But I've seen plenty that have done as well as most rock stars that got into that game.

[Clyde Smith]

Actually, Will Smith has. Maybe Queen Latifah but I haven't seen much of her work outside of early sitcom.

Mos Def is interesting and Ludacris has potential but there's a difference between these guys finding roles where they can play something similar to an aspect of themselves and becoming an actual actor.