(5 Jun 2024)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Los Angeles – 2 June 2024
1. Wide of "Grassland" cast
2. SOUNDBITE (English) William Bermudez, writer/director and Sam Friedman, writer/director:
Bermudez: "I think that was the goal from the start. Sam obviously experienced it as a kid and I think obviously the federal stuff is really important, but on a state level, it’s even bigger. And that requires, you know, people to get out there and create, you know, more of a grassroots movement, talk to their senators. You know, you can visit the Last Prisoner Project and they have a lot of information regarding that and how to help out. But I think it’s really important. And we got to remember that there’s 40,000 people in jail for marijuana incarceration right now. And it’s not, you know, legal in every state. So it’s it’s a big issue."
Friedman: "Yeah. I mean, it’s one thing to go to a dispensary like we can do in out here in L.A. and not really think about what the situation is for the rest of the country. I think it’s incredible for it to be de-scheduled, but I’m also like the more that it becomes lenient and people are still locked up, it’s like people start forgetting about these individuals that are still being affected by these old laws. So it does mean a lot to us, and it’s an honor to even be talking about it on a public stage."
3. Medium of William Bermudez and Sam Friedman chatting with a reporter
4. SOUNDBITE (English) William Bermudez, writer/director and Sam Friedman, writer/director:
"I mean, I think Common was interested in the social justice aspect of the project. I know the producers can speak more to it, but there is a large push to have a really larger social impact campaign after the film and partner with groups like Last Prisoner Project and Common’s Free to Dream organization. So I think that was a huge part for it, for us. We love to make movies and art that impact, you know, more than just the people in the theater and hopefully have a longer life after that. So that was really special for us."
5. Medium of Jeff Kober
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeff Kober, actor – on how he decompressed after heavy and emotional scenes
"I was trying to learn how to play harmonica and getting yelled at by the hotel workers for that."
7. Tight of Quincy Isaiah
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Quincy Isaiah, actor:
"It’s hard to describe, right? Because it’s like it’s almost in the middle of, like, the movie, like it’s inside. You can feel it. Like I remember one scene, Sam’s mom was there and like, just seeing her because it’s her house, you know? And like, I don’t know, it just made me feel like here inside of it, you know, and having other people that were formerly incarcerated being on set. And talking with them and hearing their stories like it was just special. You know, I don’t think you can quantify it, you know, like you can’t put that into words. It’s just embedded in the DNA of the film."
9. Wide of Ravi Cabot-Conyers
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Mía Maestro, actor:
"It’s all we hope for, you know, to do stories that may change the way we do things and the way we view things. And prison reform is like a very dear cause in my heart. So I’m really excited."
11. Tight of "Grassland" cast
STORYLINE:
"Grassland" is an independent film that doesn’t just talk about social impact but puts it into action.
Written by William Bermudez and Sam Friedman and executive produced by Common, "Grassland" tells the story of a Latina mother whose illegal marijuana business is threatened after a police officer and his son move in next door.
"Grassland" also stars Jeff Kober and Mía Maestro.
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