Civil Brand Synopsis & Summary

Synopsis

Television director Neema Barnette directs the forceful drama Civil Brand, based on a story by Preston A. Whitmore II. Shot with a micro-budget of 500,000 dollars, the film stars confrontational rap and hip-hop artists Mos Def, MC Lyte, and Da Brat. The story concerns a women's prison that exploits its largely African-American inmate population as cheap labor to manufacture products for a corporation. Mostly incarcerated due to domestic violence situations, the inmates also face sexual abuse as the hands of the prison staff, headed by Captain Deese (Clifton Powell) and Warden Nelson (Reed McCants). Accused of murder, Frances Shepard (Lisa Rae) joins forces with inmates Little Momma (Lark Voorhies), Wet (Monica Calhoun), and Nikki Barnes (N'Bushe Wright), as well as law student Michael (Mos Def), in order to start an uprising. - Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Movie Info

Starring:
LisaRaye, Mos Def, N'Bushe Wright, Monica Calhoun, Da Brat
Theatrical Release Date:
08/29/2003
DVD Release Date:
01/27/2004
Rating:
R
MPAA Reasons:
for violence including a rape, and for pervasive strong language.
Run Time:
95 min.
Distributor(s):
Lions Gate Films
Production Co.:
Lions Gate Films, Mandalay Proliance, Neena Films
Director(s):
Neema Barnette
Genre(s):
Drama
Themes:
Rape & Sexual Abuse, Women in Prison, Fighting the System
Tone:
Angry, Forceful, Harsh, Rousing, Tense, Stirring, Drab, Gritty, Confrontational
Keywords:
corruption, exploitation, inmate, labor [work], prison-guard, prison-riot, sexual-abuse, women's-prison
Country of Origin:
USA - Limited (08-29-2003)
Language:
English
Status:
DVD

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