Fifth Ward (film)

Fifth Ward is a 1997 drama film written, directed and produced by Greg Carter and starring Kory Washington, Thomas Miles, Donna Wilkerson, Thomas Webb, Junie Hoang, and Lee Carter.[1] It follows an African-American man in the Fifth Ward ghetto of Houston entering a life of crime for a chance to kill the man who killed his brother. Fifth Ward was Greg Carter's first feature film which he wrote, produced, edited, and shot on 35mm.[2]

Fifth Ward
Directed byGreg Carter
Written byGreg Carter
Produced by
  • Greg Carter
  • Betty Carter
  • John Sherman Jr.
Starring
  • Kory Washington
  • Thomas Miles
  • Donna Wilkerson
  • Thomas Webb
  • Junie Hoang
  • Lee Carter
CinematographyJohn Darbonne
Edited byRwanna Barnes
Music by
  • Randy Washington
  • Lee Carter
Production
companies
  • Jumpstart Productions
  • Nexus Entertainment
Distributed by
  • York Entertainment (United States)
  • Elephant Films (France)
Release date
  • October 3, 1997 (1997-10-03) (United States)
Running time
110 minutes
Country
  • United States
Language
  • English

It was shown at the Austin Film Festival on October 3, 1997, and later won Best Feature at the Black Film Festival of New Orleans.[2] At 30th Parallel Film Festival in Austin, it also picked up awards for Best Director and Feature.[2] In 1998, Fifth Ward was selected into the SXSW Film Festival.[2] A TV sequel to the film, 5th Ward The Series started airing on UMC on March 2, 2018.[3]

Plot

An African-American male in the ghettos of Houston struggles with opportunities to enter a life of crime including a chance to kill the man who killed his brother.

Cast
  • Kory Washington as James
  • Thomas Miles as Toney
  • Donna Wilkerson as Mina
  • Thomas Webb as Earl
  • Junie Hoang as Haan
  • Lee Carter as Rip
  • Creepa as Bam
  • JaCorrey Lovelady as Lil T
  • Louis Gusemano as Gibson
  • Steve Green as Lindsey
  • Black Prince as Jimmy
  • Kelley Darbonne as Secretary
  • Karman Jones as Crack Head With a Baby
  • DJ Screw as himself

Release

Fifth Ward was shown at the Austin Film Festival on October 3, 1997. It was later shown at the New Orleans Black Film Festival where it won Best Picture. The movie was later distributed by York/Maverick Entertainment and released nationwide in March 2000 to Blockbuster and Hollywood Video and later ran on BET Action PPV.[2]

Reception

When screened at the SXSW Film Festival, Fifth Ward received mixed reviews. Despite "good intentions", Variety referred to the film as "crudely amateurish."[4] Similarly, The Austin Chronicle echoed the same sentiments, commenting, "Despite Fifth Ward's ambitious style and noble, socially conscious storyline" it is "a messy mix of bad lighting, muddy sound, and thudding hip hop that sounds like it was recorded in a closet."[1] In spite of reviews, the movie was distributed by York/Maverick Entertainment and released nationwide in March 2000 to Blockbuster and Hollywood Video and later ran on BET Action PPV.[2]

Sequel
Main article: 5th Ward The Series

A TV sequel to the film, 5th Ward The Series started airing on UMC on March 2, 2018, and consisted of six episodes. The series was renewed for a second season which will also consist of six episodes and air early 2020.[3]

References
  1. "SXSW Film Conference and Festival '98 Further Reflections". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  2. "Biography for Greg Carter". Nexus Films. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  3. "TV News Roundup: Cynthia Erivo Among 10 Cast in HBO Drama 'The Outsider'". Variety. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  4. "Fifth Ward – Variety". Variety. 3 August 1998. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
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