Harlem Aria (1999)

Director:

William Jennings

Writer:

William Jennings (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Chasing his dream, Anton leaves his aunt's home in Harlem for downtown New York City, where a quick-witted...

Plot Keywords:

New York City | Harlem Manhattan New York City | Opera Singer | Opera | Pianist

Awards:

2 wins

Cast

Damon Wayans	...	Wes
Gabriel Casseus	...	Anton
Christian Camargo	...	Matthew
Malik Yoba	...	Luke
Paul Sorvino	...	Fabiano Grazzi
Kristen Wilson	...	Julia
Eyde Byrde	...	Auntie
Nicole Ari Parker	...	Clarisse
Fenton Lawless	...	Sergeant Scanlon
Isiah Whitlock Jr.	...	Manny
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jeremiah Alexis	...	Sentry
Patrick Clarke	...	Security Guard
Lee Michael Cohn	...	Policeman
Sheila Edmondson	...	Girl on the Rooftop
Buddy Fitzpatrick
Lord Kayson	...	DaVinci
Charles Keating	...	Professor
Reno	...	Carla
Bill Rude	...	Security Guard #2
James Saxenmeyer	...	James
Alex Tavis	...	Counter Man
Al Thompson	...	Bill
Patrick M. Walsh	...	Homeless man
Kevin Craig West	...	Money Chaser (uncredited)

Directed by
William Jennings

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
William Jennings		writer

Produced by
Rene Bastian	....	line producer
Hale Coughlin	....	executive producer
Linda Moran	....	co-producer
Deepak Nayar	....	producer
Annice Parker	....	co-producer
Darryl Pryor	....	co-producer
Isabell von Alvensleben	....	executive producer
Philip von Alvensleben	....	producer
Damon Wayans	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Jeff Beal
Fabian Cooke

Cinematography by
Keith L. Smith

Film Editing by
John Fahy
Sabine Hoffmann

Casting by
Denise Fitzgerald

Production Design by
Cecil Gentry

Art Direction by
Lorenza Arizaga

Costume Design by
Danny Glicker		(as Daniel Glicker)

Makeup Department
Loretta Alston	....	key hair stylist
Nuria Sitja	....	key makeup artist

Production Management
Stefano Celesti	....	executive in charge of production

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Brian Bentham	....	second assistant director
Jeff Drury	....	second second assistant director
Vince P. Maggio	....	first assistant director
Randall J. Strauss	....	first assistant director (as Randy Strauss)

Art Department
David Cooney	....	storyboard artist
Jose Pavon	....	lead man
Raimy Rosenduft	....	art department intern
Duke Scoppa	....	property master

Sound Department
Eben Baume	....	boom operator
Joe DiGiorgi	....	sound mixer
Russell Farmarco	....	supervising sound editor
Karen Heston	....	sound
Orada Jusatayanond	....	sound effects editor
Klaus Peintner	....	sound editor
Elmo Weber	....	supervising sound editor (as Elmo Webber)

Visual Effects by
Brad Erre	....	digital artist
John Fahy	....	visual effects supervisor
Pete Germano	....	digital artist
Janet Quen	....	digital effects artist
Mike Russo	....	digital artist
Alex Schlacher	....	post production assistant

Stunts
Roy Farfel	....	stunt coordinator
Manny Siverio	....	stunt performer
Patrick M. Walsh	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Haffe Acosta	....	electrician
Sergei Franklin	....	Steadicam operator
Patrick R. Heffernan	....	best boy grip
Jendra Jarnagin	....	additional electrician
Juliet Lofaro	....	still photographer
Ben Plotkin	....	gaffer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Laura Steinman	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Rodney Evans	....	first assistant editor
Steven Nevius	....	additional film editor (as Steve Nevius)
David C. Whitten	....	color timer

Music Department
Michele Wernick	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Haffe Acosta	....	production assistant
Cassandra Butcher	....	unit publicist
Marisa Clayton	....	dailies assistant: Magno Sound & Video
Melissa Elliott	....	title designer
Melissa Ettere	....	production assistant
Rob Feld	....	production resources
Jay Flats	....	production assistant
Rachel Florian	....	assistant to producer
Corey Hennig	....	production coordinator
Joe Humares	....	location manager
Kristi Lake	....	production executive
Megan Lombardo	....	production assistant
Bill Rude	....	first assistant location manager
John Sclimenti	....	delivery supervisor

Production Companies

• Alive Entertainment
• Bent Nail Productions
• In-Motion AG Movie & TV Productions
• Kintop Pictures

Distributors

• Magnolia Pictures (2010) (USA) (theatrical)
• SND (France)
• Universal Pictures Benelux (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)

Special Effects

• M360° Studios (storybook sequence)

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for strong crude language

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Germany:12 | USA:R | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Alive Entertainment

Trivia:

William Jennings described the film's eventual theatrical release in 2010 as "a long tale of woe".

Movie Connections:

References "Sesame Street" (1969)

One of the best films at Toronto Fest in 1999

Really surprised that this film was not bought quickly and given appropriate promo push for wide release. The Audience at the Toronto International Film Fest screening I attended in Sept. 99 stood and clapped for many minutes at the conclusion of the screening and most stayed for the Q&A. Excellent film with surprisingly nuanced perf by Wayons as a seedy character. Please see this if at all possible!!