Higher Learning (1995)

People from all different walks of life, encounter racial tension, rape, responsibility, and the meaning of an education on a university campus.

Director:

John Singleton

Writer:

John Singleton

Stars:

Omar Epps, Kristy Swanson, Michael Rapaport

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Omar Epps	...	Malik Williams
Kristy Swanson	...	Kristen Connor
Michael Rapaport	...	Remy
Jennifer Connelly	...	Taryn
Ice Cube	...	Fudge
Jason Wiles	...	Wayne
Tyra Banks	...	Deja
Cole Hauser	...	Scott Moss
Laurence Fishburne	...	Professor Maurice Phipps
Bradford English	...	Officer Bradley
Regina King	...	Monet
Busta Rhymes	...	Dreads (as Busta Rhymez)
Jay R. Ferguson	...	Billy (as Jay Ferguson)
Andrew Bryniarski	...	Knocko
Trevor St. John	...	James

Storyline

Youngsters from different countries, races, and social background are forced to integrate when they all enroll in Columbus University. They all have their own problems, such as finance, harrassment, personal safety, and self doubt. Additionally, campus life seems to be causing a problem for everyone: racism. Students, already under pressure to perform in the classroom, on the track, or in front of their friends, are strained to the breaking point by prejudice, inexperience, and misunderstanding.

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Plot Keywords:

college | prejudice | scholarship | skinhead | racism | 

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Taglines:

Question The Knowledge

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Sport

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for scenes of violence and sexuality, and for strong language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 January 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Higher Learning - Die Rebellen

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$38,290,723 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, New Deal Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to John Singleton, the film is based on his college experiences while attending USC. Singleton says in the DVD commentary that the scene in which Remy walks up to Malik and voices his opinion about the T-shirt that he was wearing is based on an actual incident that happened to him in which he too became enraged and wanted to beat the hell out of the guy.

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Goofs

Immediately after the red Volkswagen beetle is flipped and the three girls are walking along the sidewalk, it is raining in the background but not on the girls.

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Quotes

Kristen Connor: Look, um... why don't I stay with you tonight? We could stay up and talk...
Taryn: Are you sure you're ready for that? Don't do it, just cause your fascinated. I want you to be sure.

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Connections

Referenced in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: The Skeleton Show (2006)

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Soundtracks

"CORNER OF MY MIND"
Written by Dan Ores, Tim Reiland, Tom Kutzer, Mike Tannis & Mike Murray
Performed by Blanket Party
Courtesy of Wish Records

User Reviews

Singleton is a joke.

He is fine with an all black cast............but when he has to use white people......he loses all touch with reality.

As a white male, I have never been more disrespected and the way he treats gangstas as somewhat "good guys". I am amazed by this film, every storyline was pathetic and the racism is laughable.

Every character was pompous and annoying. You wouldn't root for anyone in this mess, well maybe Banks. Omar Epps is terrible, Ice Cube and Busta, lol. The muscular nazi is terrible. Fishburne's overacting makes his performance bad. Ahhhh, this whole film is bad.

Connely's performance was creepy and annoying as well.