Four (2012 film)
| Four | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical Poster | |
| Directed by | Joshua Sanchez |
| Screenplay by | Joshua Sanchez |
| Produced by | Christine Giorgio |
| Starring | Wendell Pierce Emory Cohen Aja Naomi King E.J. Bonilla |
| Cinematography | Gregg Conde |
| Edited by | David Gutnik |
| Music by | Bryan Senti |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 76 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Four is a 2012 American independent feature film written and directed by Joshua Sanchez. It is based on the play of the same name by Christopher Shinn. The film stars Wendell Pierce, Emory Cohen, Aja Naomi King and E.J. Bonilla.[1] The film premiered at the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival where its ensemble cast won the top acting award.[2] E.J. Bonilla received an Imagen Award nomination for his performance and Wendell Pierce received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his performance.
Plot
In a nameless, suburban American town, the smell of barbecue fills the air as Fourth of July celebrations move from a hot summer day into night. Joe, a man who works hard and travels a lot, leaves his family at home for the holiday, citing a business trip. Abigayle, his precocious daughter, is left to tend to her mother and manage the home on her own, yet again. Seeking just enough attention to get her through another night of her lonely responsibilities, she turns to Dexter, a former high school basketball star whose best days are behind him. And while Abigayle is out with Dexter, Joe is quietly spending time around town with June, a young man he met online who’s struggling to accept himself. And for just this night, the small world that these four live in will become even smaller, though the freedom they experience has never been so dangerous, fleeting and honest.
Cast
- Wendell Pierce as Joe
- Emory Cohen as June
- Aja Naomi King as Abigayle
- E.J. Bonilla as Dexter
- Yolonda Ross as Abigayle's Mother
- Liam Benzvi as Todd
- Kathryn Meisle as June's Mom
Production
Four took over five years to make and the film started several times before it was actually made.[3] Sanchez met Christopher Shinn in 2003 while he was working for an online magazine and was assigned to interview Shinn.[4] Sanchez had read all of Shinn's plays as research for the interview, which is how he first came to read Shinn's play, Four.[4] Sanchez wanted to option Four right away, but another filmmaker had already optioned it. A year later, the other filmmaker did not renew the option on the play, so Sanchez stepped in.
To raise money for the film, Sanchez and his producer, Christine Giorgio, were among some of the first artists to use the crowdfunding website, Kickstarter in December 2009.[4] They successfully raised nearly $20,000 for their initial campaign.[5]
Film director, and playwright, Neil LaBute, executive produced the film along with renowned photographer, Allen Frame.[6]
Themes
The film is a requiem for loneliness, conformity and desire quietly hidden in the everyday norms of suburban American life and touches on several cultural boundaries, including sexuality, class and race. Three of the film's four main characters are people of color.
About Four Sanchez said:
- "I’ve had so many people in the business tell me that people here and abroad do not want to watch serious films about people of color. It’s really fucked up. I think it’s changing...because people, real moviegoers, are sort of starved to see their lives reflected back to them in the cinema."[4]
Release
The film was released on September 13, 2013.[7]
Reception
Accolades
| Award | Date | Category | Recipient(s)/Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28th Annual Imagen Awards[8] | August 16, 2013 | Best Actor/Supporting Actor - Feature Film | E.J. Bonilla | Pending |
| 28th Independent Spirit Awards[9] | February 23, 2013 | Best Male Lead | Wendell Pierce | Nominated |
| Urbanworld Film Festival[10] | September 24, 2012 | Best Narrative Feature | Four | Won |
| Los Angeles Film Festival[11] | June 24, 2012 | Best Performance in the Narrative Competition | Wendell Pierce, Emory Cohen, Aja N. King, E.J. Bonilla | Won |
References
- ^ "'Four: Review". Variety. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- ^ "'2012 Award Winners". Los Angeles Film Festival. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
- ^ "'Meet the 2012 LAFF Filmmakers #3: "Four" Director Joshua Sanchez"". indieWire. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- ^ a b c d "'Meet the 2012 LAFF Filmmakers #3: "Four" Director Joshua Sanchez"". Mary Literary Quarterly. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- ^ "FOUR by Joshua Sanchez and Christine Giorgio=". Kickstarter. Jan 25, 2010. Retrieved 2013-05-08.
- ^ "Hot summer night: Joshua Sanchez on Four=". British Film Institute. Oct 20, 2012. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
- ^ "'Controversial Award-Winning Film - FOUR - Embraced by AMC Theatres". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2013-07-21.
- ^ "Nominees for the 28th Annual Imagen Awards Announced". Imagen Award. June 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
- ^ "Independent Spirit Awards 2013: Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. 23 February 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
- ^ "'Four' wins big at Urbanworld film fest". United Press International. 24 September 2012. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
- ^ "Winners Announced for 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival". Film Independent. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
