Knight of the South Bronx
Taleigao Chess Academy will screen " KNIGHT OF THE SOUTH BRONX" AT IT PREMISES AT Dynasty Manor, Near Bank of India, Odlembhat, Taleigao, Caranzalem Goa. On Sat 4th August and Sun 5th August at 3.30pm.
The original A&E movie, Knights of the South Bronx, is the inspiring story of a remarkable man. Starring Ted Danson, the film is based on the experiences of David MacEnulty – dedicated teacher, extraordinarily successful scholastic chess coach, and the principle author of the Think Like A King Chess Workouts Series – as it shows how he was able to use chess to transform the lives of a group of inner city New York school children.
http://www.chessintheschools.org/knightsofsouthbronx.html
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001613800
It's not exactly a Christmas story, but its heart is in the right place for this season. "Knights of the South Bronx" is a feel-good story (based on fact) about a group of elementary school kids from the South Bronx who learn some important life lessons after a dedicated teacher (Ted Danson) teaches them to play chess. It has got a bit of gritty realism, but for the most part this telefilm is a heart-warmer that certainly has some winning ways.
Danson is Richard Mason, a middle-aged man who has just been fired from his previous job for whistle-blowing. He takes up substitute teaching at an elementary school in the South Bronx and runs into some kids who are a serious challenge. But after he teaches them that games like chess have rules that can be used off the chess board, the kids find out how to win in their own lives.
"Knights" would certainly be ordinary if it weren't for Danson's presence. We see too little of him on television, and this telefilm tells us why. He takes over the action with a commanding presence and injects realism into any script he's given. In his role as an elementary school teacher, Danson makes us believe he's been in the classroom for years. He's compelling as a teacher who knows how to draw kids out of their dark environment and show them some light in their lives.
Director Allen Hughes ("Menace II Society") keeps the movie going at an intriguing pace. Lots of close-ups interspersed with medium shots make us feel part of the action all the way. Writers Jamal Joseph and Dianne Houston have penned some interesting characters -- though they are not especially unique. We've seen them countless times before, especially in urban dramas, and their lives are far more interesting than anything specific about them. Production designer Franco De Cotiis does an estimable job of creating a realistic (meaning down and dirty) atmosphere in which these kids live and go to school.
The film has a dark, muted feel to it, just as the realism of the story dictates. Director of photography Derick Underschultz can be credited with providing even more realism to the story. His camerawork adds just the right activity to the scene. While it's not a particularly unusual story, "Knights of the South Bronx" is an uplifting one. It might have borrowed from many previous tales about kids finding a purpose in their otherwise dreary lives, but Danson's presence lifts it just a bit higher.
Knights of the South Bronx
A&E
Tiara Blue Films
Credits:
Executive producer: Diane Habatoff
Producers: Allen Hughes, John M. Eckert
Co-producer: Perri Peletz
Director: Allen Hughes
Story: Jamal Joseph
Teleplay: Jamal Joseph & Dianne Houston
Director of photography: Derick Underschultz
Production designer: Franco De Cotiis
Editor: Conrad Gonzales
Music: Stephan Endelman
Cast:
Richard Mason: Ted Danson
Kimmy: Malcolm David Kelley
Darren: Devon Bostick
Renee: Yucino Diaz
PS 70 Bronx students profiled in A & E Network movie "Knights of the South Bronx"
Chess-in-the-Schools was delighted to be a part of the special premiere screening of the A & E Network movie, "Knights of the South Bronx." The movie, starring Ted Danson, was based on the Chess-in-the-Schools team PS 70 in the Bronx. Chess-in-the-Schools staff and over 20 students were invited to attend the December 1 premiere and party held at the Fashion Institute of Technology. A & E Network honored Chess-in-the-Schools Chairman of the Board Lewis B. Cullman for his tireless support and commitment to bringing chess to hundreds of thousands of New York City public school children. In his honor, A & E donated $25,000 to Chess-in-the-Schools.
Many students in attendance were former national champions from PS 70 in the Bronx, the school portrayed in the movie. Most of those students went on to Middle School 118 in the Bronx to continue their winning streak. From 1994 to 2004, PS 70 and MS 118 won a combined six national titles.
The former PS 70 and MS 118 students quoted at the end of the movie are currently in high school or attending college. Kwadwo Acheampong is a senior at Duke University; Damian Josephs is a senior at University of Virginia; Jillian Alvarez is a junior at the University of Vermont; Sunil Matabeek is a junior at the University of Delaware; Steadroy Lloyd is a junior at St. Johns University; Medina Parrilla is a freshman in the Macy Honors Program at Dewitt Clinton high school, Tanisha Millan is a freshman at Monsignor Scanlan High School.
