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Film Fri Feb 01 2013
Robert Townsend's In the Hive: Chicago Premiere
Through directing, writing, acting and producing for the both television and the big screen, Chicago native Robert Townsend remains one of the hardest working men in Hollywood; the versatile, veteran director and filmmaker, behind hits such as Hollywood Shuffle and The Five Heartbeats, is back with his latest feature film, In the Hive, now in theaters.
Based on an actual school in North Carolina, In the Hive is the story of Xtra Keys (played by "That's So Raven's" Jonathan McDaniel), a troubled youth faced with personal challenges, among them, his relationship with his incarcerated father (Roger Guenveur Smith) and being a teenage father, to name a few. For Keys, becoming a student at "The Hive," an alternative school for boys, is perhaps his only chance to create a better life for himself and his infant son.
In addition to Townsend in the director's chair, the film also boasts other strong Chicago ties: In the Hive was written by Cheryl L. West (Holiday Heart) and stars the late Michael Clarke Duncan as school assistant, Mr. Hollis, one of his last movie roles. Duncan, an Academy Award nominee for his performance in The Green Mile, died last fall at age 54.
Rounding out the film's lead cast is actress Vivica A. Fox (Kill Bill: Vol. I, "Curb Your Enthusiasm") and Loretta Devine ("Grey's Anatomy," Jumping the Broom), who stars as Mrs. Inez, a role that earned her an NAACP Image Award Best Actress nomination.
In the Hive premieres tonight and runs through February 7 at ICE Theaters-Chatham, 210 W. 87th St.; for tickets and show times, visit the website or call 773-892-3204. For a preview, click below:
Randolph / February 1, 2013 12:23 PM
As a eacher at an alternative high school, I am very interestd in seeing this.