Quality of Life (2004)

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Director:

Benjamin Morgan

Writers:

Brian Burnam (writer)
Benjamin Morgan (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

Where do you draw the line?

Plot:

Meet Michael "Heir" Rosario, the most prolific and talented graffiti writer from the Mission District in San Francisco...

Plot Keywords:

Graffiti

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Lane Garrison	...	Heir
Brian Burnam	...	Vain
Luis Saguar	...	Pops
Mackenzie Firgens	...	Lisa
Tajai Massey	...	Dino
Fred Pitts	...	Robert
Andrew A. Rolfes	...	Officer Charles
Bryna Weiss	...	Grandma
Ezra Stanley	...	Kid
Fred Salvallon	...	Employee
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Daniel Chacón	...	Stray
James Duisenberg	...	Store Manager

Directed by
Benjamin Morgan

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Brian Burnam		writer
Benjamin Morgan		writer

Produced by
Alexis Dayers	....	associate producer
Kevin Heverin	....	associate producer
Darrell M. Lee	....	associate producer
Benjamin Morgan	....	producer
Steve Popper	....	executive producer
Meika Rouda	....	producer
Brant Smith	....	producer
Jennifer Stewart	....	associate producer

Cinematography by
Kev Robertson
Kevin Robertson

Film Editing by
Sharon Franklin

Casting by
Belinda Gardea

Production Management
Dan Ogawa	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
James Duisenberg	....	first assistant director

Sound Department
Brian Copenhagen	....	production sound mixer
Andy Wiskes	....	sound designer
Andy Wiskes	....	sound re-recording mixer

Camera and Electrical Department
Jeb Admire	....	videographer: behind-the-scenes

Editorial Department
Jose Arriaga	....	assistant editor
Nicholas Hasson	....	on-line editor: HDTV

Other crew
Jeb Admire	....	set production assistant
Carol Chow	....	additional set production assistant
Alexandra Dayers	....	production assistant
Monet Huang	....	additional set production assistant
Terry L. James	....	digital film transfer
Darrell M. Lee	....	key set production assistant

Production Companies

• Quality of Life Film LLC

Distributors

• One Movie (2007) (Italy) (all media)
• Relentless Company, The (2005) (USA) (theatrical)

Also Known As:

Against the Wall (Canada: English title) (DVD title)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R

Filming Locations:

Redwood City, California, USA

Company:

Quality of Life Film LLC

Trivia:

The fight that appears during the titles was not planned by the filmmakers - it just happened on the streets.

quality of life- must see for anyone interested in hip hop culture

Quality of Life, as a true low-budget indie, is a remarkably polished film. Chronicling the lives of two Frisco graff writers (Vain and Heir) as their encounters with the law place strain on their friendship and ambitions, the movie takes a penetrating look at those involved in the underground graffiti movement, as well as their place in society.

While one character, Heir, considers straightening out his life by getting involved in advertising, bringing to light the difficulties involved in such a transition, his friend, Vain, unwilling to let go of the "bombing" lifestyle, heads into a tailspin, that eventually explodes in the film's powerful climax.

Despite the serious nature of the film, the movie has a lot of funny moments, which prevent it from being overbearing. The characters- artists at a crossroads- are complex and interesting, and a good balance, the more volatile Vain complementing the more level-headed Heir. Aesthetically, the cinematography, which mirrors the grittiness of the Frisco graff scene, is beautiful in its abrasiveness, and the soundtrack, featuring bay area emcees like Andre Nikatina and Top Ramen, helps set the mood. There's also some pretty ill fight scenes and the tags are top notch. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone interested in hip hop culture.