Tribeca Film Festival’s red carpet for the movie “Kicks” was a blast. In attendance were cast members Jahking Guillory, Mahershala Ali, Kofi Siriboe, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Christopher Meyer and Michael Smith. Director and co-writer Justin Tipping was brave enough to be vulnerable. He exemplifies the best aspect of indies—raw emotion.
Synopsis: Brandon (Guillory), 15, dreams of a pair of fresh Air Jordans but right after he gets them, they’re stolen by local hood Flaco (Siriboe), causing Brandon and his two friends go on a dangerous mission through Oakland to retrieve them.
Dorri Olds: What inspired this story?
Justin Tipping: I got jumped with a pair of Nikes when I was 16 and [felt] the humiliation of that. I remember talking to a brother and he was like, “Oh, good, you’re a man now.” It was that moment that I felt proud but in retrospect that is completely backwards. Why are we supposed to think violence is about becoming a man? Why does that make me a man? There’s no reason for it but it’s always perpetuated in society. It’s all around us. Like you hear, “Man up.” But why is that? What does that even mean? Why isn’t it “Do good in school?”
“Kicks” played during Tribeca Film Festival 2016. And now it’s available On Demand. This indie is a winner. Don’t miss it. Rated R. 87 min.
