Our Song (2000)

Focusing on the bonding between three female (an African American female, a half African American half Latino American female, and a Latino American female) high school members of Brooklyn's "Jackie Robinson Steppers Marching Band" and the choices the girls face once their school closes down because of the need for asbestos removal. This film is about a host of topics, not least of which is the ... See full summary »

Director:

Jim McKay

Writer:

Jim McKay

Stars:

Melissa Martinez, Anna Simpson, Kerry Washington

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Melissa Martinez	...	Maria Hernandez
Anna Simpson	...	Joycelyn Clifton
Kerry Washington	...	Lanisha Brown
The Jackie Robinson Steppers Marching Band	...	Themselves
Marlene Forte	...	Pilar Brown
Raymond Anthony Thomas	...	Carl Brown (as Ray Anthony Thomas)
Rosalyn Coleman	...	Dawn Clifton
Carmen López	...	Rita Hernandez (as Carmen Lopez)
Tyrone Brown	...	Mr. Miller
Lorraine Berry	...	Kim
Natasha Frith	...	Keisha
Chuck Cooper	...	Benjamin
Iris Little Thomas	...	Clinic Counselor
Kim Howard	...	Eleanor
Juan Romero Jr.	...	Samson

Storyline

Focusing on the bonding between three female (an African American female, a half African American half Latino American female, and a Latino American female) high school members of Brooklyn's "Jackie Robinson Steppers Marching Band" and the choices the girls face once their school closes down because of the need for asbestos removal. This film is about a host of topics, not least of which is the hard-work involved in maintaining friendships.

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Plot Keywords:

marching band | new york city | asthma attack | asthma | teenager | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some teen drug use

Details

Official Sites:

C-Hundred Film Corp

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

18 April 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

To tragoudi mas

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$20,267 (USA) (25 May 2001)

Gross:

$254,199 (USA) (28 September 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Beech Hill Films, C-Hundred Film Corporation, Independent Film Channel (IFC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

References Dangerous Minds (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Everything You Know Is A Lie"
Written by Daezaster (as Dazaster) & Dahoud Darien
Performed by Daezaster (as Dazaster)
Produced by Dahoud Darien for the Drunk Funk
Courtesy of Orpheus Music

User Reviews

Super realism

I recently saw this amazing movie at the San Francisco International Film Festival. I didn't know what to expect, but what I saw was a revelation. From beginning to end, I felt immersed in the movie feeling that the experience I was having was not a movie, but an actual slice of real life. In the question and answer session with Jim McKay after the movie, it became clear why this was the case. McKay spent a total of about 3-4 years on this movie, including one year hanging out with the (real) marching band in the movie. Preparation like this is what gave the film its incredible authenticity, the feeling of being there along with three teenagers in Brooklyn. I also appreciate McKay taking his time with each scene, letting one scene flow organically into another, instead of the quick cuts from scene to scene you tend to see in major studio movies (and most of the indie movies I've seen--many of which just aspire to be mainstream movies). If you didn't happen to catch it at the Film Festival, I highly recommend seeing it when it starts getting distributed (McKay said that looks like either Fall 2000 or Spring 2001). Personally, I can't wait to see it again.