Knucklehead (2016 film)
| Knucklehead | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Ben Bowman |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Music by |
|
| Cinematography | Soopum Sohn |
| Edited by | Katie Ennis |
Production company |
Imaginary People Productions |
| Distributed by | RLJ Entertainment |
Release dates |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
"Knucklehead" is a 2016 American drama film directed by Ben Bowman. It premiered at the 2015 BAMCinématek New Voices in Black Cinema festival.[1]
Plot
Convinced that prescription drugs can cure his mental disorder, a neighborhood eccentric (Gbenga Akinnagbe) ventures out of Brooklyn’s housing projects to escape his controlling mother (Alfre Woodard), and to find the one doctor who he believes can treat him.
Cast
- Gbenga Akinnagbe as Langston
- Alfre Woodard as Sheila
- Amari Cheatom as Julian
- Carla Duren
- Nikiya Mathis
- Justin Myrick
- Lauren Hodges
Release
The film premiered as the opening night film at the BAMCinématek New Voices in Black Cinema festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on March 26, 2015.[2] It was scheduled for release in the U.S. and Canada in late 2016.
Critical reception
Colin Covert gave the film a positive review in ‘’Newsweek’’, writing: “Deftly combining melancholy, tragedy and sly humor, the story is engineered so its gripping drama dovetails neatly with the lead's starry-eyed optimism and the likability of sundry supporting characters. As if juggling chainsaws, Bowman delivers a film that is both troubling and comically upbeat“[3]
John Defore at “The Hollywood Reporter” praised the cast, citing Gbenga Akinnagbe for his “sympathetic performance” as the mentally challenged Langston, “in a film that will attract attention more for a brutal turn by Alfre Woodard as his controlling mother.” Justin S. Myrick is called out for his portrayal of Arthur, Langston's young friend with, "a smartass spark that animates scenes and balances the bleak situation at home."[4] It was scheduled for a late 2016 release in the U.S. and Canada. [5]
Accolades
| Awards and nominations | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Date of ceremony | Venue | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
| Dances With Films | June 6, 2015 | TCL Chinese Theatre | Industry Choice Award | Knucklehead | Won | [6] |
| American Black Film Festival | June 14, 2015[7] | New York Hilton Midtown | VH-1 Audience Award | Knucklehead | Won | [8] |
| Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Film Festival | April 24, 2015 | Saint Anthony Main | Best Narrative Feature ("MN Made") | Knucklehead | Won | [9] |
| Baltimore International Black Film Festival | October 11, 2015 | Charles Theatre | Best Narrative Feature | Knucklehead | Won | [10] |
| First Time Feature Director ("Oscar Micheaux Award") | Ben Bowman | Won | ||||
References
- ↑ "A Mother's Clutch Makes Its Mark". New York Times. March 21, 2015. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ↑ "Knucklehead". bam.org. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ↑ "This 'Knucklehead' Will Make You Laugh, and Cry". Newsweek. 2015-05-03.
- ↑ "'Knucklehead': Film Review". The Hollywood Reorter. 2015-03-27.
- ↑ "iMDB".
- ↑ "Clay Riley Hassler's 'Homeless' Wins Top Prize at Dances With Films Festival". The Wrap. 7 June 2015.
- ↑ "2015 Winners". American Black Film Festival.
- ↑ American Black Film Festival Editors (June 14, 2015). "2015 Winners". American Black Film Festival. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
- ↑ "MSPIFF ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF JURIED COMPETITION AND AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS".
- ↑ "Baltimore International Black Film Festival".