April 23, 2014 at 7:00 PM
at
Anthology Film Archives
32 Second Avenue (at 2nd Street)
New York, NY 10003
When his drug addicted mother is arrested, 13-year-old Mister is forced to look after himself and Pete, a younger boy Mister reluctantly takes under his wing, on the mean streets of Brooklyn, New York. Newcomers Skylan Brooks and Ethan Dizon give compelling, heart breaking performances as Mister and Pete, more than holding their own along side Oscar Winner Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls), Golden Globe Winner Jeffrey Wright (Angels In America), and Anthony Mackie.
The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete was an official selection for the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for several awards including:
- Independent Spirit Awards: Best First Screenplay – Michael Starrbury
- Image Awards: Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
- Black Reel Awards
- Outstanding Director, Motion Picture – George Tillman, Jr.
- Outstanding Screenplay (adapted or original), Motion Picture – Michael Starrbury
- Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male – Skylan Brooks
Synopsis from Codeblack Films and Lionsgate: During a sweltering summer in New York City, 13-year-old Mister’s (Brooks) hard-living mother (Hudson) is apprehended by the police, leaving the boy and nine-year-old Pete (Dizon) alone to forage for food while dodging child protective services and the destructive scenarios of the Brooklyn projects. Faced with more than any child can be expected to bear, the resourceful Mister nevertheless feels he is an unstoppable force against seemingly unmovable obstacles. But what really keeps the pair in the survival game is much more Mister’s vulnerability than his larger-than-life attitude.
The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete is a beautifully observed and tremendously moving film about salvation through friendship and the way transformation sometimes can happen just by holding on long enough. Director George Tillman, Jr. draws indelible performances from a fantastic cast, which includes Jordin Sparks, Golden Globe®” and EMMY®” Award winner Jeffrey Wright, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Anthony Mackie, and Golden Globe®” and Academy Award®” winner Jennifer Hudson, all led by Ethan Dizon and Skylan Brooks in a stunning breakout performance as Mister. The film also features new music by Alicia Keys. Codeblack Films and Lionsgate present an iDeal Partners / State Street production in association with Floren Shieh Productions / Archer Gray Productions / Cherry Sky Films / AKW Productions.
