Life is Hot in Cracktown

Were you concerned at all with getting any flack for playing a transsexual character?
I don’t really think my job as an actress is to be liked. I think my job as an actress is to tell stories about human beings; I felt like that is what was important. I went through similar things on “She Hate Me” — people are going to say what they are going to say, but I think my work is about honoring humanity. For me, as an artist, I don’t think it’s fair for me to say, “I’m going to tell honest stories about this segment of society and not this other segment.” I respect other people’s decisions to only tell certain stories and only portray certain characters. It might be different if I had kids, it might be different if I was just at a different point in my life but right now I try not to shy away from things because it might not make people like me — no matter what I do in life people are not going to like me for one reason or another. [Laughs]

There’s a perception that Black people are more homophobic than White people. What’s your reaction to that?
I think generalizations of any sort are dangerous. I’ll say, if that is the case — right now it’s an American issue. We’re dealing with Prop. 8 in California and it’s scary, it’s really scary. People don’t think about that fact that when Barack Obama’s parents had him — it was illegal for them to be married in several states in this country. So if we start making it okay that certain people can marry and other people can’t, it’s a slippery slop of civil rights. Who knows who is going to be allowed to marry or not marry next. I’m not interested in moving backward as a society. So whether it’s more prevalent or not in the Black community, I think as a whole American is dealing with the issue of homophobia. We got to be really honest about whether we believe in civil rights for all people or not. As Black people we need to remember the moment that we say it’s okay to disenfranchise one segment of society, we’re opening the door to move backward on ourselves.

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Summary

Review: Raw is an understatement to describe Life is Hot in Cracktown, which is based on the book of the same name. The author, Buddy Giovinazzo, is also the writer and director of the film. Giovinazzo juggles topics like rape, drugs, position, violence, child abuse and more. There are no positive characters in Cracktown. No voice of reason; just the reality of dire circumstances, which cannot be tied up in a pretty Hollywood bow.

Evan Ross, who has consistently taken risks in his short career, is a heartless gangster addicted to drugs and violence. When thinking of Ross, ‘gangster’ does not come to mind, which is what made his performance even more powerful. He stomped through the film with an angry energy that represented the lack of remorse that many addicts have when they are deep in their addiction.

The movie also includes RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, Lara Flynn Boyle and Vondie Curtis-Hall. However, the standout of the movie was the incredible Kerry Washington, who plays a transsexual, drug-addicted prostitute named Marybeth. This is a character that could’ve easily been exploitative, but Washington managed to give Marybeth a soul, sensitivity and showed her humanity outside of her circumstances. One can only hope that Washington will be recognized in some way for this film. She has always been an amazing actress, but she captured this character’s every molecule. The only flaw of Cracktown is we needed more of Kerry!

Life is Hot in Cracktown is a story that seeps in you, plays around in your blood and haunts your thoughts days later. It proves that drugs transcend class, race, gender and sexual orientation. Furthermore, you can only admire Giovinazzo for taking his own work in his hands and coming out with a diverse cast that had the vision to support this independent film.

Life is Hot in Cracktown opens in select cities this Friday, June 26th.

Check out the trailer below!

According to the Hollywood Reporter.

“Bouchareb, who will produce the movie through his French production company, plans to shoot in summer 2010 with a budget in the region of $20 million-$30 million, and is lining up a major French backer. The script is by novelist  Yasmina Khadra, whose book ‘The Attack’ has been optioned by Focus Features. No cast is yet attached but Bouchareb has his lead actress firmly in mind: ‘I want Beyonce Knowles to play Angela Davis,’ he said. ‘It’s a great dramatic role for her.’”

Bouchareb is from France so maybe he doesn’t realize there are actually other black actresses in the world other than Beyonce. Sure, she is a talented singer and dancer, but playing the role of Ms. Davis should be reserved for a stone-cold actress. Also, if you think Etta James got mad with Beyonce, you don’t want a former Black Panther who was once on the FBI’s most wanted list to have it in for Bey — she might stage a protest outside of the House of Dereon headquarters!

So, in the event that Bouchareb doesn’t know any better, here are a few names that would be better consideration. Please feel free to spread the word!

Thandie Newton

With an afro, Newton would probably look the most similar to Angela Davis. She is also becoming more of a bankable actress having recently appeared in crossover roles like RocknRolla and W., where she played Condoleezza Rice.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji could be the next Halle Berry. She is an Oscar nominee and has a degree in theatre arts from Howard University.

Kerry Washington

You can’t go wrong with Kerry Washington. She is well-informed with politics, which one would need for this political role, and was amazing in films like The Last King of Scottland and Ray.

Regina King

King is a Screen Actors Guild nominee and has appeared in movies like Ray and Jerry Maguire. Pick Regina and the film just might be Oscar worthy — not Razzie worthy.

Jada Pinkett Smith

Will Smith’s wife might just be your number one pick. She is excels in aggressive female roles, a household name and might be willing to take a pay cut if there is a strong script — she ain’t struggling for cash with Big Willie.

Take notice!