Our America (2002) (TV)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Ernest R. Dickerson

Writers (WGA):

LeAlan Jones (book) and
Lloyd Newman (book) ...

Release Date:

12 March 2003 (Norway)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Two teen radio reporters investigate a vicious child murder as part of a controversial radio documentary.

Plot Keywords:

Radio | Reporter | Murder | Ghetto | Radio Reporter

Awards:

5 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Josh Charles	...	Dave Isay
Brandon Hammond	...	Lloyd "Boo" Newman
Serena Lee	...	Janelle Jones
Roderick Pannell	...	LeAlan Jones
Irma P. Hall	...	June Jones
Peter Paige	...	Gary Covino
Vanessa Williams	...	Sandra Williams (as Vanessa A. Williams)
Mykelti Williamson	...	Graham Ellis
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rukiya Bernard	...	Sophie Newman
K.C. Collins	...	James (as Chris Collins)
Neil Crone	...	Paxton Wade
Jordan Francis	...	Derrick Morris
Gene Mack	...	Stick Newman
Michie Mee
Egidio Tari	...	Reporter
Mark Taylor	...	Duane
Dan Willmott	...	Host

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some violent content.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Certification:

Australia:MA (TV rating) | UK:15 | Argentina:13 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Come Sunday Productions

Touching a Serious Social Wound

In Chicago, the Afro-American teenager friends Lloyd Newman (Brandon Hamond) and LeAlan Jones (Roderick Pannell) win a contest promoted by the successful producer Dave Isay (Josh Charles) of NPR – National Public Radio – for a documentary about the daily life in the ghetto where they live. They prepare a documentary showing their routines, the life in their neighborhood, and it becomes controversial, with some negative reviews of important persons of their community. Nevertheless, they are awarded as the 1997 Chicago Citizen of the Year. Dave becomes a close friend of the boys and their families, and they decide to prepare another documentary about the death of Eric Morse, a young kid dropped from the 14th floor of a building in the compound by two other boys on 14 Nov 1994. They win the prestigious Peabody Award with their work. "Our America" is a good movie based on a true story and is about the dramatic situation of many poor people living in ghettos and slums. The story happens in North America, but it could have happened in any country in South America, Afrika, Asia, and even Europe. I liked this film because it touches a serious wound, the social debt of the society with many persons. Further, it is not corny, but it gives some hope, when we see two boys like Lloyd and LeAlan having a chance to improve their lives. It emphasizes the importance of friendship and sympathy, to help those who need. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Território Violento" ("Violent Territory")