Blue Hill Avenue is a 2001 American crime drama film directed and written by Craig Ross Jr., and starring Allen Payne. Ross also edited and executive produced the film.
Synopsis
Tristan (the leader), Simon (the right-hand man), E-Bone (the hot head) and Money (the mediator) are four smart friends growing up in the tough Roxbury section of Boston in the late 1970's. Starting out as small-time dope dealers on Blue Hill Avenue in Roxbury, they eventually go to work for Benny, a major player in the Boston crime scene.
As the four friends grow up and become the biggest dealers in the city, things become increasingly heated: Tristan's wife wants him to leave the business because she's pregnant, Tristan finds out his sister is hooked on drugs and is alienated from his family, Simon becomes obsessed with a near-death experience and expects to die, cops dog their tracks trying every trick in and out of the book to catch them. Benny, their main supplier, wants them out of the business for good.
Worse, it becomes clear one of the four is trying to sell the others out to the cops. In the end, Tristan faces Benny down alone. Will he be able to get out of the business—and the life—for good?
Production
Blue Hill Avenue was filmed in the Canadian city of Saint John, New Brunswick because, as described by Ross, "it looked like an Eastern town."[1] Buildings used as filming locations within the city include the St. Joseph's Hospital and the Saint John High School.[2]
Cast
- Allen Payne as Tristan
- W.B. Alexander as young Tristan
- Angelle Brooks as Martine
- Diane Fauteux as young Martine
- Michael "Bear" Taliferro as Simon
- Dana Blair as young Simon
- William L. Johnson as "E-Bone"
- Brandon Hammond as young E-Bone
- Aaron D. Spears as "Money"
- Percy Daggs III as young Money
- Andrew Divoff as Detective Tyler
- Richard Lawson as Uncle Rob
- Marlon Young as "Twinkie"
- Clarence Williams III as Benny
- William Forsythe as Detective Torrance
- William Butler as "Big Time"
- Chris Thornton as Lathan
- William Springfield as "Soul Train"
- Pooch Hall (credited as Marion Hall) as Billy "Schlep Rock" Brown
- Kenny Robinson as Sam
- Emily Bruhier as Martine's girlfriend [3][4]
Awards and nominations
2001 Acapulco Black Film Festival
- Best U.S. Film – Blue Hill Avenue, Craig Ross Jr. (winner)
- Best Independent Actor (Theatrical) – Allen Payne (winner)
- Best Independent Film (Theatrical) – (nominated)
2001 Urbanworld Film Festival
- Best Director – Craig Ross Jr. (winner)
See also
References
- ^ Walker, Adrian Walker (11 June 2021). "'The best Boston movie no one's ever seen': 'Blue Hill Avenue' at 20 - The Boston Globe". Boston Globe. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Cameras Rolling; Expect to see movie cameras, crews and actors on Charlotte and Princess Streets today as filming begins for Blue Hill Avenue". Telegraph-Journal. 3 October 2000. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Emily Bruhier". Shot on What. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
- ^ "Blue Hill Avenue (2001)". DVD Locker. Archived from the original on 31 August 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
