LISA FRANCE

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBB.5

USA, 2003.  Luis Moro Productions, Urban Dream Productions, Urban Family Entertainment.  Story by Antonio Macia, Luis Moro, Screenplay by Antonio Macia, Lisa France.  Cinematography by Stefan Forbes.  Produced by Luis Moro, Jeanine Rohn, Josselyne Herman Saccio.  Music by Dean Parker.  Production Design by Jesse Huber.  Costume Design by Tere Duncan.  Film Editing by Doug Forbes.  

A young girl (Janice Richardson in an excellent debut) escapes the dreariness of her urban life by reading the diary of Anne Frank, inspired to create her own hip hop poetry but still lacking the courage to perform it for anyone.   Life continues and she has to deal with her drug-dealing, drug-addicted brother (Carlos Leon) and everything his problems bring. This low-budget, female version of 8 Mile can’t help letting its limited resources show, but the character work is strong and the music incredibly enjoyable.