Our Song (2001)

Synopsis: OUR SONG follows three very real high school girls over one summer in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Best friends and confidants, the girls--Lanisha (Kerry Washington), Maria (Melissa Martinez), and Joycelyn (Anna Simpson)--have... OUR SONG follows three very real high school girls over one summer in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Best friends and confidants, the girls--Lanisha (Kerry Washington), Maria (Melissa Martinez), and Joycelyn (Anna Simpson)--have different family situations, different romantic interests, different moral codes, and their own unique dreams. Their differences add a searching, inquisitive element to their conversations, and ultimately make them closer. They are all dedicated members of the Jackie Robinson Steppers, a community marching band that holds daily rehearsals in a local parking lot. The girls talk about mastering the instruments they play and impressing the conductor. They also have jobs. Joycelyn works at a makeup boutique; Marie and Lanisha work at a bakery. Sometimes they talk about what they'll do after high school, but most of their conversations are about the difficult immediate issues that face them daily. Their school is not going to reopen in the fall due to an asbestos problem, and they each must figure out how to find a new school with a good reputation, enroll, and commute each day. Pregnancy and teen motherhood are serious considerations for the girls, as many of their friends have babies. A compassionate, honest portrait of adolescent life in Brooklyn, OUR SONG is inspirational in the way its characters take it as it comes, and keep hoping for the best. Director Jim McKay uses a verité filming style that, in combination with the excellent performances from the actresses, makes the film look and feel like a documentary. [More]

Starring: Kerry Washington, Anna Simpson, Melissa Martinez, Marlene Forte

Starring: Kerry Washington, Anna Simpson, Melissa Martinez, Marlene Forte, Ray Anthony Thomas, Jackie Robinson Steppers Marching Band

Director: Jim McKay

Director: Jim McKay
Screenwriter: Jim McKay
Producer: Paul Mezey, Diana Williams, Jim McKay
Studio: IFC Films

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