All Def Digital and Russell Simmons have partnered with award-winning editor Jason Zeldes to executive produce Zeldes’ documentary feature directorial debut Romeo Is Bleeding, a stirring documentary that explores the power of spoken word poetry to save and elevate youth in one of the most violent suburbs of the country. The Film Collaborative will release the award-winning documentary in select theaters beginning July 28.
The announcement was jointly made today by Sanjay Sharma, President and CEO of All Def Digital, and Romeo is Bleeding producer Michael Klein of Circadian Pictures.
“This is a powerful and provocative film that could not be more timely, or timeless. It carries a critical message about the power of the written – and spoken – word to save and transform individuals and communities,” said Simmons. “As funding for the arts, the youth, and community services continues to get slashed, Romeo Is Bleeding and its star show us the importance of the arts in our lives and how one person can make a huge difference in even the most hardened of communities.” Simmons, known widely as the founder of iconic hip hop brands such as Def Jam Records and Phat Farm, also brought spoken word to the forefront of artistic culture through nearly a decade of Def Poetry Jam on HBO. He also received a Tony Award for Brave New Voices, a spoken word inspired play on Broadway.
Romeo Is Bleeding has won a number of awards at high profile film festivals including Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the San Francisco International Film Festival, Audience Award Best Documentary at the Aspen Film Fest, Best Documentary Feature at the Napa Valley Film Festival and many more.
With Donté Clark’s evocative and stirring street poetry serving as a backdrop, Romeo is Bleeding captures the community tensions, violence and heartbreak that haunt neighborhoods like Richmond, California across the country (and around the world). As Donté leads a cast of high school students in an effort to mount a fresh adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” the film uses the Bard’s classic to delve deeper into the contemporary socio-economic issues that drive the violence in their city. As the play comes together on the stage, real life begins to parallel the Shakespearean tragedy. Pushed to his limits, Donté must decide if he is capable of being the leader that Richmond’s youth wants and needs him to be.
“When I met Donté, I knew this would be the story, subject and mission behind my first film. His personal story and his ability to take a timeless tale and transform it into a tool to teach and redeem a group of kids was profoundly inspirational, and necessary in a time when communities are hurting, tensions are rising, and hope seems fleeting,” said Zeldes.
“While we see conflict and division throughout the country, communities grappling with gun violence and a nation struggling with proper policing methods, Donté reminds us that there’s hope in the power of art and the importance of creating safe spaces for healthy expression in every community. He shows us that the story doesn’t have to end with tragedy,” said Michael Klein.
“Romeo is Bleeding is an important project for ALL DEF as we have been quietly building a spoken word platform, ALL DEF POETRY, that highlights spoken word poets and artists every day and has been featured in outlets from PBS to Teen Vogue,” said Sharma. “We see a renewed interest in the art form everywhere, as a therapeutic tool in school counseling on the one hand, and as a driving force behind lyricism in hip hop from Chance the Rapper to Kendrick Lamar on the other. The project extends our mission of being a voice to the voiceless, helping elevate Donté’s personal journey, work and poetry, as well as RAW Talent and the RYSE Center in Richmond which help youth every day turn to the arts for solace.”
In addition to its theatrical release, Romeo is Bleeding will also be available via VOD as well as DVD and BluRay on August 1st.
About All Def Digital
All Def Digital (ADD) is the leading media company for youth culture rooted in hip hop. ADD produces and distributes original content through its own media properties, social channels, traditional and premium television, theatrical motion-pictures, live events, and brand partnerships through its in-house agency ADHD. ADD also manages a curated network of emerging and established talent including social video stars, stand-up comics, writers, actors, poets and hip hop recording artists. The fastest growing media brand in urban youth programming, with over 5 million subscribers and fans monthly across YouTube, Facebook/Instagram, and Snapchat, driving over 200 million monthly views, All Def’s growth is also punctuated by category- leading engagement and video retention metrics. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, with offices in New York. Its investors include Nu Horizons, Greycroft Partners, Third Wave Digital Partners, e.ventures, Advancit Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, and WPP.
ABOUT THE FILM COLLABORATIVE
The Film Collaborative is the first non-profit committed to distribution education and facilitation of independent film. Launched in early 2010, TFC offers independent filmmakers a full range of services, including fiscal sponsorship, education about distribution, and distribution and marketing service (including sales representation, service theatrical releases, hybrid distribution, grassroots marketing, traditional marketing, digital aggregation, distribution consultation and contract consultation).
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