Tiz has a dream. He wants to be asuccessful hip-hop rapper, get out of the projects and have a nice house in the suburbs where he can chill without worrying about a bullet in his back. But at 25, with a young son and clos... more »e friends depending on him, is real escape ever possible? An inspiring story of survival, this hard-hitting documentary from award-winning Sergio Goes follows Tislam Miller, a struggling rapper in the public housing projects of Brooklyn's East New York. Mentored by the legendary Kool G Rap, Tiz is making impressive strides in his career but remains tied to his old life, primarily through his drug-dealing best friend, Mel, who has just gotten out of prison. With candid interviews, lyrical moments of grim beauty and powerful verite footage taking us beyond rap world stereotypes, Black Picket Fence is an powerful experience honored by the Brooklyn International Film Festival.« less
"Having lived in East New York for 12 years, and remaining very close the community, I can attest to the street authenticity of Black Picket Fence. This is basically a docudrama that follows the lives of an aspiring rapper and his close friend who is just released from prison. For those who don't know, East New York is a section of Brooklyn with a historically high crime rate. As there are many East New York's in the United States the story is indicative of the struggles of many young black males who are continuously tempted by the lure of fast-buck crime as they attempt to locate comfort within a world that is mainly indifferent to their existence. Producer Sergio Goes does an excellent job in capturing the pulsating turbulence of the environment where the subjects reside, as well as presenting their individual characteristics in a manner that allows the viewer to comprehend and appreciate their state of mind. For many Americans the ghetto is a caricatural habitat; for many residents of the ghetto it is the only world they will ever know. Goes provides an open gate along the Black Picket Fence which otherwise draws the line between both sides of ignorance."
Things aren't always what they seem...
carollee1974@hotmail.com | CA | 06/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"FINALLY, someone was able to look beyond all of the stereotypes typically associated with young black men and women who live in the ghetto. Sergio Goes dug beneath the surface of gangs, drugs, poverty, violence and death, and found a group of dedicated, passionate, loyal, ambitious, loving and courageous young men and women. This film is insightful, inspiring and brave!"
REALITY SHOCKS
Marcelo Freitas | Sao Paulo, SP Brazil | 06/26/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WE ALWAYS CLOSE OUR EYES TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR neighborhoods , BUT LIFE IS HARD TO THOSE AT EAST NEW YORK AND AROUND THE WORLD. POLITICIANS HAVE TO WAKE UP TO THE PROBLENS OF MINORITIES AND THE POOR."
The power of reality!!!
musicmaven77@earthlink.net | NY, NY United States | 10/03/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a film...
...no stereotyps, no fuzz...
Real talks with real people living in a planet far away from mine but really only 10 stops away from my subway stop...All my thumbs up!!!
M"
Love in the Struggle
g young | Carlton, WA USA | 07/17/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This film is in your face. After watching BPF the first time i felt the adrenaline of being on the streets of New York, felt the connection of Tiz, Mel and the crew and felt the message Goes worked so hard to get over the 2 years it took to film this in the real. No cliches, just true life dreams of success in the struggle. These stories are rugged but somehow they translate to everyone's desire for love, happiness and security.
One of my all time favorites!
peace"