Unknown Soldier (2004)

Character triumphs over adversity and temptation when a young African-American man is unexpectedly thrust onto the streets of Harlem.

Director:

Ferenc Tóth

Writer:

Ferenc Tóth

Stars:

Antarah Avent, Alexandra Bosquet, Mnuke Boule

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Credited cast:
Antarah Avent	...	Tree
Alexandra Bosquet	...	Mary
Mnuke Boule	...	Deshawn
Edrick Browne	...	Jaydog
Randy Clark	...	Travis
Layla Edwards	...	Tande
Augustine Ekeinde	...	Jay (as Austin Ekeinde)
Z. Louis Finney	...	Kenny
Fernando Garcia	...	Super
Carl Garrison	...	Sam Jones
Kassandra Hernandez	...	Cassandra
Frank Hernández	...	Luis
Leslie Diane Jackson	...	Mrs. Grady
Jarrell Jordan	...	MC
Rayan Lawrence	...	Dancer

Storyline

Ellison (aka L) just graduated high school and life is breezy. But after his father suddenly dies, all his security is gone. He bounces from place to place staying with a series of friends before landing on the street, and into a shelter. Desperate, he tries to enlist, but the asthma he got from government housing disqualifies him for the Army. Finally, he turns to Zee, his charismatic wealthy neighbor, who has hustled his way up from the streets. Will L honor his hard-working father, or go the way of the streets?

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

CL Productions

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 January 2004 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

CL Productions, First Motionless Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The 20th IFP Independent Spirit Awards (2005)

User Reviews

Entertaining Low-Budget Film

"Unknown Soldier" is a film about Ellison, a young man whose father suddenly dies, and after bouncing around from friend to friend becomes homeless. He ends up working for a street hustler named Zee. Ellison, who is wonderfully portrayed by Carl Louis, is basically an immature young teenager who is forced to grow up and become a man very quickly. I liked this film, especially when Ellison is forced to make choices about whether he will become a career criminal or abandon a life of crime before he's too deeply involved. There were some elements of film noir towards the end of the movie that should have been explored and extended more, but for a film from a debut director, Ferenc Tóth, it's quite an achievement. I saw this at the LA Film Festival in June 2004, and I asked Tóth if he had one piece of advice for a first-time director, what would it be? His answer - keep your story simple, and get good work out of your actors. A fine debut.