40 Acres and a Mule Productions has partnered with Variance Films in order to release Spike Lee’s latest film, “Red Hook Summer.” The film will open in New York City theaters August 10 and will expand to the top 30 markets later in August.
Lee said he is happy to see his film come to theaters through the joint efforts of 40 Acres adn a Mule Productions and Variance Films. “From my very first joint back in 1986, ‘She’s Gotta Have It,’ I have been an independent filmmaker, and even today I still am,” he said. “I’m elated to join forces with Variance Films for the independent distribution of my new joint ‘Red Hook Summer.’We look forward to getting this film into the marketplace, where we believe 100 percent that there is a starving audience for American independent films like ‘Red Hook Summer.’”
Dylan Marchetti, founder of Variance Films, also reiterated Lee’s feeling about “Red Hook Summer” reaching a “starving” audience. “Variance’s sole mission is to ensure filmmakers retain their rights and their power,” said Marchetti. “…I can’t think of a filmmaker that would make better use of both than Spike Lee. Spike is truly one of the godfathers of independent filmmaking, and ‘Red Hook Summer’ is an entertaining, yet thoughtful, film that says something we think needs to be said. We couldn’t be more excited to work with Spike and his team to ensure that audiences across the country will be experiencing this fantastic film with their friends and family.”
“Red Hook Summer,” the latest in Lee’s Chronicles of Brooklyn (“She’s Gotta Have It,” “Do The Right Thing,” “Crooklyn,” “Clockers” and “He Got Game”) is a story about a boy who comes from Atlanta to live with his religious grandfather in Brooklyn:
“Red Hook Summer” tells the story of Flik Royale, a sullen young boy from middle-class Atlanta who has come to spend the summer with his deeply religious grandfather, Bishop Enoch Rouse, in the housing projects of Red Hook. Having never met before, things quickly get off on the wrong foot as Bishop Enoch relentlessly attempts to convert Flik into a follower of Jesus Christ. Between his grandfather’s constant preaching and the culture shock of inner-city life, Flik’s summer appears to be a total disaster–until he meets Chazz Morningstar, a pretty girl his age, who shows Flik the brighter side of Brooklyn. Through her love and the love of his grandfather, Flik begins to realize that the world is a lot bigger, and perhaps a lot better, than he’d ever imagined.
You can learn more about the film at the film’s official site. What do you think about “Red Hook Summer”? Give your opinions in the comments section below.
