A HUEY P. NEWTON STORY
2001,
Starz,
86 min,
USA,
Dir: Spike Lee
Actor-playwright Roger Guenveur Smith's adaption of his Obie Award-winning solo performance was inspired by the late co-founder of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense, Huey P. Newton. Born in a small town in Louisiana, later moving with his family to Oakland as an infant, Newton grew up to co-found the Black Panther Party, which he led for more than two decades. Director Spike Lee and Smith collaborate for the seventh time to bring to the screen Newton's thoughts, philosophies, history and distinct personality in this Peabody Award-winning film. Smith's monologue, described by the Hollywood Reporter as "simply brilliant", navigates Newton's cinematic stream of consciousness, and is complemented by Lee's signature mix of stock and archival footage. Composer Marc Anthony Thompson augments his original score with the saxophones of Branford Marsalis.