WHAT?
We have completed principal photography on what we believe to be the first black Shakespeare film ever done!
WHY?
Our purpose is to explore various aspects of African American politics in the 20th and 21st century through the lens of Shakespeare’s King Henry IV parts 1 and 2. Two scripts were combined to draw out in sharper detail the central story of the plays, which we believe to be the coming of age story of a son destined to lead a nation. The combination of which became H4.
We believe that the themes and ideas contained in the 1st and 2nd parts of King Henry IV are today as urgent as they were when Shakespeare was writing them.
We believe further that if the story is creatively told, utilizing multimedia technologies, we can contribute a unique and original statement on Shakespearean performance and on the modern American socio/political landscape.
HOW?
Our method was innovative: we filmed the two idioms in which Shakespeare wrote; prose and poetry, in two distinct settings in 8 days. The iambic pentameter was shot in a theater to suggest a heightened reality— abstracted, lyrical, and symbolic, while the prose was shot on location—more realistic, literal, and visceral. This production idea has never before been attempted. This innovative approach made the filming process more fluid and economical. In addition, it pushed the parameters of Shakespearean production.
WHO?
Executive producer Harry Lennix, also stars as King Henry IV in our movie. He enlisted some talented actors to play along side him including Keith David, Heavy D, Terrell Tilford, Angus Macfadyen, Faith Evans, and Jeryl Prescott just to name a few! Please visit our IMDB page http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2011032/ for our entire cast list!
WHY KICKSTARTER?
Simply put, we need your help! Your financial support will enable us to EDIT, COLOR CORRECT, SOUND MIX, LICENSE SOUNDTRACK, MARKET AND PROMOTE, APPLY TO FESTIVALS, AND GET THIS MOVIE OUT THERE!
We would be honored if you were to consider contributing to H4, a project we believe to be a significant artistic opportunity!
Video from Update #3...
Half way through...almost half way there!!
Thank you for your support! This journey is beyond exciting and knowing that we are reaching an audience is inspiring. If this is your first time here, thank you for checking us out...we truly believe we have something special here!
Fun loving, funny, and full of life, Sir John Falstaff is a show stealer and audiences eat him up. This is ever so true in our production! ANGUS MACFADYEN plays what is perhaps the best loved and certainly most profane of Shakespeare's characters...that fat knight. We know you will eat him up as well!
Questions about this project? Check out the FAQ
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Funding period
- (30 days)