Higher Learning
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| Higher Learning | |
.jpg) The movie cover for Higher Learning. |
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| Directed by | John Singleton |
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| Produced by | John Singleton Paul Hall |
| Written by | John Singleton |
| Starring | Omar Epps Kristy Swanson Ice Cube Michael Rapaport Tyra Banks Jennifer Connelly Laurence Fishburne Jason Wiles Busta Rhymes Regina King Cole Hauser |
| Music by | Stanley Clarke |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
| Release date(s) | January 11, 1995 |
| Running time | 127 min. |
| Language | English |
Higher Learning is a 1995 action/drama film, starring an ensemble cast. It also featured Tyra Banks' first performance in a theatrical movie.
Laurence Fishburne won an Image Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture" for his performance; Ice Cube was also nominated for the award.
Tupac Shakur was supposed to have a role in the movie, but was apparently dropped for business reasons.[citation needed]
UCLA filled in for the college, Columbus University. The exterior shots and outdoor scenes were shot on the campus.
In addition to "Higher", performed by Ice Cube, the soundtrack includes performances of newer material (at the time) by OutKast, Liz Phair, Tori Amos and Rage Against the Machine.
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[edit] Plot Summary
This drama includes the personal, political, and racial dilemmas facing a group of college freshmen as they begin their first semester at Columbus University. Malik (Omar Epps) is an athlete attending on a track scholarship who struggles to succeed academically. Fudge (Ice Cube), a "professional student" who has been at Columbus for six years so far, becomes friendly with Malik and challenges his views about race and politics in America, while Professor Phipps (Laurence Fishburne), a professor of political science, mentors Malik and lets him know that he will not be graded on a different standard either because of his race or his ability to run quickly. In Deja (Tyra Banks), Malik finds a girlfriend, a tutor, and a training partner all rolled into one.
Meanwhile, Kristen (Kristy Swanson), a naive freshman from Orange County, California, meets a boy named Billy (Jay R. Ferguson). After both have too much to drink at a beer blast, Billy rapes Kristen, who later involves herself with a campus feminist group to deal with the painful experience. While working with the women's group, Kristen gets to know Taryn (Jennifer Connelly), a strong but understanding lesbian, and she finds herself becoming attracted to her.
Remy (Michael Rapaport) is a confused young man from Idaho who feels lost in the multi-cultural atmosphere of Columbus. He is approached by Scott Moss (Cole Hauser), a member of a group of white supremacists, who take advantage of his sense of being outsider to recruit him to a sinister cause.
[edit] Cast
- Omar Epps - Malik Williams
- Kristy Swanson - Kristen Connor
- Michael Rapaport - Remy
- Jennifer Connelly - Taryn
- Ice Cube - Fudge
- Jason Wiles - Wayne
- Tyra Banks - Deja
- Cole Hauser - Scott Moss
- Laurence Fishburne - Professor Maurice Phipps
- Bradford English - Officer Bradley
- Regina King - Monet
- Busta Rhymes - Dreads
- Jay R. Ferguson - Billy
- Andrew Bryniarski - Knocko
- Trevor St. John - James
- Talbert Morton - Erik
- Adam Goldberg - David Isaacs
- J. Trevor Edmond - Eddie
- Bridgette Wilson - Nicole
- Kari Wührer - Claudi
- Cindy Brunson - News Anchor
- Dan Pollard - Football Coach
[edit] Soundtrack
A soundtrack containing hip hop, R&B, rock and Jazz music was released on January 3, 1995 by Interscope Records. It peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.
[edit] External links
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