Two FAMUans are behind one of the year’s most anticipated films, “Canal Street.” The film, which will be released worldwide January 18, features a star-studded cast including alumnus Woody McClain (“The Bobby Brown Story” and “New Edition”). Alumnus Amir Windom, a GRAMMY award-winning record executive (Bruno Mars, Pharrell), serves as one of the executive producers of the film and as music supervisor. Windom also executive produced the critically-acclaimed soundtrack.
“Canal Street” is a faith-filled and timely portrayal of racial and class conflicts ripped from today’s headlines, where young men of color are often guilty until proven innocent. After the murder of a white classmate, all eyes fall on Kholi Styles (Bryshere Gray), and it is up to his father (Mykelti Williamson), an up-and-coming lawyer from the South Side of Chicago, to prove his son is not the monster the world has made him out to be. This inspirational film has been reviewed as having something for audiences of all ages.
“Canal Street” is directed, co-written and produced by Rhyan LaMarr. The film boasts a veteran multi-ethnic cast, which includes Gray (“Empire”), Williamson (“Fences”), Mekhi Phifer (“Divergent”), McClain (“The Bobby Brown Story”), Lance Reddick (“John Wick”) and Kevin Quinn (“Bunk’d”).
