"The red carpet was rolled out in Birmingham Thursday night for the premiere of a film shot here in the Magic City...."
WBRC-TV FOX6 News

FOX6: Short film shot in Birmingham premieres

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - June 26, 2008 -- The red carpet was rolled out in Birmingham Thursday night for the premiere of a film shot here in the Magic City. The producer says the film has a message that could help reduce crime. FOX6 News Reporter Sherea Harris has more on the story.

The film "Six Blocks Wide," directed by award-winning Yuri Shapochka, was presented at Carver Theater on Thursday, June 26. "Six Blocks Wide," written by local author Teresa K. Thorne, was filmed in Birmingham in November 2007, in Norwood Garden.

The film features an entirely black cast in the story of an inner-city community's struggle against a cruel drug lord. The community's matriarch, "Gran," has decided to fight against the violence her extended family faces. The story, based on Thorne's own experiences as a Birmingham patrol officer, intertwines beauty and heartbreak in a torn community. The work is a compelling look at violence, courage and community.

Ukrainian-born Shapochka chose Birmingham's rapidly growing arts community to share in his vision for this film. Shapochka's team includes cinematographer David Brower and noted actress Tonea Stewart, who is best known for her performance as the grieving mother, Gwen Hailey, in "A Time to Kill." Stewart, who leads the cast, is also known for her recurring role on TV's "In the Heat of the Night."

Shapochka's other works include a dark comedy "High Expectations," which won the Platinum Remi Award in "Directing Shorts" at the 40th WorldFest Film Festival and the "Best Dark Comedy" award at the New York International Independent Film Festival.

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