When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story is a 2017 American biographical crime drama film based on a true story directed by Tasha Smith in her directorial debut, and written by Cas Sigers-Beedles. The film stars Lil Mama as Falicia Blakely, a 16-year-old teen mom who becomes stripper, and pimp and predator, Dino (played by Lance Gross).[1] On August. 15, 2002, Blakely and Dino robbed and killed two men — Claudell Christmas and Raymond Goodwin, and the next day, killed Lemetrius Twitty, after picking him up in a club. The duo were arrested after a week-long run and eventually pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Blakely is serving three life sentences without parole in a Georgia prison.[2] Blakely is the first and youngest woman to ever be considered for the death penalty in Georgia.
| When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Tasha Smith |
| Written by | Cas Sigers-Beedles |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Bruce Francis Cole |
| Edited by | Dante Wyatt |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | TV One |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
It premiered at the 2017 American Black Film Festival on June 15, 2017.[3] It later premiered on TV One on August 28, 2017.[4][5] The film received positive reviews from critics and two nominations at the 49th NAACP Image Awards.
Cast
edit- Lil Mama as Falicia Blakely
- Lance Gross as Dino
- Tami Roman as Stacey Blakely
- Tiffany Black as Pumpkin
- Walter Fauntleroy as Q
- LeShai Renee Hunt as Rashelle
- Karon Riley as Robert
- Don Wallace as Khalil
- Robert Crayton as Blue
- Christian Robinson as Vinny
- Kendrick Cross as Raymond
- Floyd Mayweather Jr. as Punch
- KaMillion as Meesha
- Big Freedia as Tam
- Chasnie Houston as Shawnee
Reception
editThe film received positive reviews for performances of Lil Mama, Gross, and Roman and Smith' directing.[6][7] The film became the highest-rated original movie in the history of the TV One, according to the network.[7] At the 49th NAACP Image Awards, When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story was nominated for a Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special, and Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special (Cas Sigers-Beedles).[8]
References
edit- ^ "Director says 'When Love Kills' examines 'humanity' of murderous stripper". August 18, 2017.
- ^ "6 Things To Know About The Real Falicia Blakely". Essence. October 26, 2020.
- ^ "TV One & Tasha Smith Present When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story at the American Black Film Festival". Mogul.
- ^ Lundy, Kadeem (August 28, 2017). "Exclusive: Tasha Smith Talks About TV One's 'When Love Kills' The Falicia Blakely Story".
- ^ "'When Love Kills' Debuts On TV One". August 28, 2017.
- ^ Manns, Keydra (August 28, 2017). "TV Review: 'When Love Kills'".
- ^ a b "The Community for Black Creativity and News - Blavity News". Blavity News & Entertainment.
- ^ Staff, T. H. R. (November 20, 2017). "NAACP Image Awards: 'Marshall,' 'Get Out,' 'Girls Trip' Dominate Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter.