``Fifth Ward'' Explodes in Celluloid.

Entertainment Editors & Movie Writers

HOUSTON--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2000

Filmmaker Greg Carter portrays a gritty view of Houston's hard knock neighborhood in his independent film with the same title, "Fifth Ward," screening at the Hollywood Black Film Festival Saturday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m., and on Monday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m.

Premiering amongst the pristine backdrop of the Culver Studios, 9336 Washington Boulevard in Culver City, "Fifth Ward" is anything but. Laced with forbidden love between an African American male preparing for college and the boss' daughter, Mi Haan, a second- generation Vietnamese-American, Carter has created a powder keg of a story.

Not only must the lead character, James Kennedy, overcome an interracial relationship, he has to balance neighborhood friendships with a thuggish homeboy mentality. Meanwhile James helps his mother Mina -- a former lap dancer -- raise her son (James' younger brother) -- while Mina is harassed by cops who do not believe she or her children will ever make anything of themselves.

James finds sanctuary in his paintings. He plans to major in Art History, if he ever makes it to college. "Fifth Ward" is as difficult to watch as it is to live, however Carter peppers his independent effort with compassion and hope from an elder member of the Kennedy family, Uncle Earl.

It is a real life look with an equally realistic soundtrack that has already been chartered by SOURCE Magazine and on BILLBOARD's Top R&B Albums. "Fifth Ward" started as a community project replete with homegrown actors. Some community dwellers were unnerved after seeing their community cut open and bleeding for all the world to judge.

However, Carter once lived in Fifth Ward for several years before leaving to attend Texas A&M University. He never forgot his old neighborhood, returning in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in science, an Environmental Engineering career and an itch for filmmaking. Carter will attend both screenings in Culver City, Calif. and will be available for questions immediately following.

For more information on "Fifth Ward" and the soundtrack, e-mail Greg Carter at [e-mail]. On attending the screening, contact Black Talent News at 310/348-3942.