May 21, 2007 – Los Angeles California - The latest feature length film from Jeff Clanagan’s Codeblack Entertainment, 4 Life is the feverishly anticipated street drama that chronicles the dark, gritty, despair-ridden tale of the drug game in West Baltimore. Featuring a host of some of Hollywood’s most prominent rising talent, including Wood Harris of “Remember the Titans” with Denzel Washington and the critically acclaimed HBO series “The Wire” as well as Elise Neal of the Academy Award Winning and Golden Globe nominated film, “Hustle & Flow”, 4 Life is a clever and likeable movie in the midst of menace.
Produced by Watch Me Now Films, the premier independent development company of urban film and entertainment, the company was founded by Tony Austin and Adalius Thomas of the New England Patriots. It is with their contacts, creativity and motivation that the desire to dominate the genre of urban entertainment began to expand beyond his foundation of music, which includes Tony Austin’s title as President of Russell Simmon’s Music Group.
It’s not hard to imagine many of 4 Life’s title characters portraying street enforcers in this straightforward and intensely vivid film of greed, sex, love, money, power and respect, being that cast members JD Williams (HBO’s “Oz”) and Kwame Patterson also join Harris as part of the ensemble cast of the original and critically-hailed drama “The Wire” which has been touted by the San Francisco Chronicle, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, TV Guide, Newsday and Daily Variety as the “Best Show on TV.”
Similar to “The Wire’s” urban theme, 4 Life chronicles the gangster story of Dayvon (Wood Harris) and Ty (Page Kennedy of “Desperate Housewives”), drug dealing ring leaders of and underground thug organization. Ty, who is incarcerated on a suspect charge becomes volatile after Dayvon expresses his plan to retire from the “business” as soon as Ty is released. Seeing his partner’s exit as a betrayal, Ty immediately begins laying the foundation for a murderous revenge on Dayvon and his girlfriend Jare’ (Elise Neal), however not without a fight. Although both men are undeniably comfortable with wielding a firearm, Ty is the kind of hard-boiled hustler who would sell his first-born, while Dayvon, with his smug yet charismatic swagger, seems to possess a fair degree of loyalty and compassion. Amidst the turmoil between Ty and Dayvon, both men face an even greater threat in the form of two younger organization members Lil’ Jay (Miguel Gaetan of “Drumline”) and Stink (Patterson), who devise a plot to seize power of the entire operation.
Growing up in Chicago’s notorious west side, Wood Harris was deeply influenced by the paradox of the inner city. In his tense ghetto environment dominated by street gangs, his artistic ability began to emerge as well as his love for the stage. He soon found himself immersed in the New York poetry and music scene, quickly befriending such well-known contemporary political voices as Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Saul Williams. The accomplished thespian who has been inspired by the likes of icons including Marlon Brando, Paul Newman and James Cagney has garnered an NAACP Image Award and Blockbuster Movie Award nominee for his performance in the Denzel Washington film “Remember the Titans.” Having worked alongside the likes of giants including Jack Nicholson, Tupac Shakur and Woody Allen and receiving rave reviews from critics for his portrayal of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix in Showtime’s Original Movie “Hendrix” his fans probably know him best for his portrayal of Avon Barksdale, the cunning and ruthless drug lord from HBO’s highly praised “The Wire.” Harris, who holds a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts continues to build his impressive resume with his stunning portrayal of Dayvon in 4 Life. “I was inspired to do 4 Life because of the enthusiasm for the books by Thomas Long. I don’t see too many more gangster roles in my future, but this one was for the fans, especially my Baltimore fans,” he explains.
Elise Neal is one of those few actresses that has incredible versatility and range. Demonstrating so in varied roles like the good southern wife Yvette in Oscar winning “Hustle and Flow” to the screaming sidekick in the cult horror classic “Scream 2″. The two-time NAACP Image Award “Best Actress” nominee made her debut in John Singleton’s “Rosewood” and has starred alongside such high profile entertainers including Chris Tucker, Lauryn Hill, Terrence Howard, Neve Campbell and Oscar winner Adrien Brody as well as working alongside award winning directors such as Brian DePalma, Steven Spielberg and Craig Brewer. In 4Life Neal plays Jare’, the naïve, head-over-heels-in-love student by day and exotic dancer by night. “My character in 4Life is the good girl doing bad things to survive. This role is definitely a lot sexier than most of my film roles, which was a new challenge for me,” says the Memphis, Tennessee born actress. “I think my fans will be a bit shocked, but happily so I hope! Also being able to have a song (“I’m Down Baby”) in the film so audiences can hear my music is wonderful.”
Page Kennedy who studied Shakespeare and Theatre at Western Michigan University has graced the small screen in such prolific shows as CSI, Six Feet Under, Boston Legal, NYPD Blue, Desperate Housewives, The Shield and Barbershop. He made his silver screen debut as the villainous Travis Shipley opposite Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell and L.L. Cool J. in the police thriller “S.W.A.T” as well as appearing alongside multi-platinum superstar Usher Raymond in the Lionsgate release “In the Mix.” The Detroit native and current Los Angeles resident says he’s preparing to take the Hollywood scene by storm this year.
With a supporting role from Sundy Carter, 4 Life is a ruthless, brutal and thrillingly alive action-packed drama. One of the best gangster thrillers since Hype Williams’ visually appealing Belly (1998) and the gripping and compelling storyline of Menace II Society (1993), 4Life is an authentic monumental achievement.