H4 is a 2012 independent American film directed by Paul Quinn; actor Harry Lennix produced the film and stars in the title role.[1] The film premiered at the 2012 Conference of the Shakespeare Association of America,[2] and later showed premiere in competition at the 49th Chicago International Film Festival in 2013.[3][4] In November 2014, the film was shown at the Indie Memphis Film Festival.[5]
| H4 | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Film poster | |
| Directed by | Paul Quinn |
| Written by | William Shakespeare (play) Ayanna Thompson (adaption for screen) |
| Produced by | Harry Lennix Giovanni Zelko |
| Starring | Harry Lennix Angus Macfadyen Nick Gillie Victoria Tilford Geno Monteiro Keith David Jeryl Sayles Terrell Tilford Keir Thirus Heavy D |
| Cinematography | John Pedone Tony Rudenko |
| Edited by | Bob Allen Art Olmos (additional editing) |
| Music by | Mark Nichols |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editThe film is an adaptation that combines William Shakespeare's plays Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2 and sets them in contemporary Los Angeles. The screenplay was adapted by Dr. Ayanna Thompson, Professor of English at Arizona State University, retaining Shakespeare's original language.[4][5] According to Lennix, the film is told "from the perspective of black people, acted primarily by black people, and it’s from the black point of view";[4] he nevertheless describes Shakespeare's themes, and the film's, as "universal".[6] Thompson describes the script as being "about the politics and political manoeuvring within the African-American community".[7]
Production
editPost-production of the film was partly funded by a $25,000 Kickstarter campaign.[8]
In August 2012, a rough cut of the film was previewed at the International Shakespeare Conference in Stratford-upon-Avon to international Shakespeare scholars.[7][9]
The film was scheduled for release in US cinemas in 2015.[1]
This was Heavy D's final film role before his death in 2011.
References
edit- ^ a b Dave McNary (August 4, 2014). "'Blacklist' Actor Harry Lennix Launches Movie Production Company". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
- ^ http://www.shakespeareassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bulletin0112.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ Sergio (September 20, 2013). "Shakespeare Film 'H4' Starring Harry Lennix To Screen At Chicago Int'l Film Fest Next Month". Indiewire. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ a b c Michael Roberts (October 14, 2013). "Harry Lennix' H4 world Premiers at the 2013 Chicago International Film Festival". Showbiz Chicago. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ a b Scott L. Newstok (November 2, 2013). "H4 Screening". Rhodes College. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ Xaque Gruber (30 July 2013). "The Many Faces of Harry Lennix". Huffington Post.
- ^ a b Luci Scott (September 7, 2011). "ASU dean's screenplay sets 'Henry IV' in LA in Black community". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ Sergio (June 27, 2012). "Harry Lennix Starts Kickstater Campaign For his 'H4' Film Project". Indiewire. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
- ^ Sergio Mims (29 November 2012). "Harry Lennix Channels Black-Comic Rage in Indie Hit, 'Mr. Sophistication'". Ebony. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
External links
edit- H4 at IMDb
- H4 - the movie - completed Kickstarter campaign