H4 (film)

H4 is a 2012 independent American film directed by Paul Quinn; actor Harry Lennix produced the film and stars in the title role.[1] The film premiered at the 2012 Conference of the Shakespeare Association of America,[2] and later showed premiere in competition at the 49th Chicago International Film Festival in 2013.[3][4] In November 2014, the film was shown at the Indie Memphis Film Festival.[5]

H4
Film poster
Directed byPaul Quinn
Written byWilliam Shakespeare (play)
Ayanna Thompson (adaption for screen)
Produced byHarry Lennix
Giovanni Zelko
StarringHarry Lennix
Angus Macfadyen
Nick Gillie
Victoria Tilford
Geno Monteiro
Keith David
Jeryl Sayles
Terrell Tilford
Keir Thirus
Heavy D
CinematographyJohn Pedone
Tony Rudenko
Edited byBob Allen
Art Olmos (additional editing)
Music byMark Nichols
Release date
  • April 6, 2012 (2012-04-06) (Conference of the Shakespeare Association of America)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

The film is an adaptation that combines William Shakespeare's plays Henry IV, Part 1 and Henry IV, Part 2 and sets them in contemporary Los Angeles. The screenplay was adapted by Dr. Ayanna Thompson, Professor of English at Arizona State University, retaining Shakespeare's original language.[4][5] According to Lennix, the film is told "from the perspective of black people, acted primarily by black people, and it’s from the black point of view";[4] he nevertheless describes Shakespeare's themes, and the film's, as "universal".[6] Thompson describes the script as being "about the politics and political manoeuvring within the African-American community".[7]

Production

Post-production of the film was partly funded by a $25,000 Kickstarter campaign.[8]

In August 2012, a rough cut of the film was previewed at the International Shakespeare Conference in Stratford-upon-Avon to international Shakespeare scholars.[7][9]

The film was scheduled for release in US cinemas in 2015.[1]

References
  1. Dave McNary (August 4, 2014). "'Blacklist' Actor Harry Lennix Launches Movie Production Company". Variety. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
  2. http://www.shakespeareassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/bulletin0112.pdf
  3. Sergio (September 20, 2013). "Shakespeare Film 'H4' Starring Harry Lennix To Screen At Chicago Int'l Film Fest Next Month". Indiewire. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  4. Michael Roberts (October 14, 2013). "Harry Lennix' H4 world Premiers at the 2013 Chicago International Film Festival". Showbiz Chicago. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  5. Scott L. Newstok (November 2, 2013). "H4 Screening". Rhodes College. Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  6. Xaque Gruber (30 July 2013). "The Many Faces of Harry Lennix". Huffington Post.
  7. Luci Scott (September 7, 2011). "ASU dean's screenplay sets 'Henry IV' in LA in Black community". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  8. Sergio (June 27, 2012). "Harry Lennix Starts Kickstater Campaign For his 'H4' Film Project". Indiewire. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
  9. Sergio Mims (29 November 2012). "Harry Lennix Channels Black-Comic Rage in Indie Hit, 'Mr. Sophistication'". Ebony. Retrieved September 6, 2014.
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