Cinnamon, Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr’s directorial debut, was a Spotlight Narrative premiere at Tribeca Festival 2023, and is inspired by his love of the Blaxploitation films of the 70s. Montgomery also penned the film’s screenplay, a thriller, heist film and love story all rolled into one with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The film stars Blaxploitation-era legend, Pam Grier (Jackie Brown, Coffee) as “Mama,” the maniacal matriarch of a small town crime family. Her ruthless character has only to point a finger and her son, James Walker, played by Jeremie Harris (Legion, The Get Down) willingly jumps to the task of eliminating whoever hinders their family’s cash flow.
Mama, however takes a liking to Jodie (Hailey Kilgore of Power Book III: Raising Kanan- fame), an attractive and seemingly innocent young lady. Jodi is a talented singer with big dreams stuck in a dead end gas station clerk job. But Mama has no love for Jodie’s boyfriend Eddie (David Iacono of The Flight Attendant and City on a Hill), who is desperate to move to Hollywood and start a new life in a big city with his talented girlfriend. Unfortunately, their plan to escape goes horribly wrong and finds the two lovers unknowingly caught in the middle of Mama’s crime family drama. They must use all of their whits to stay alive and claw their way out.
RELATED: TCM: The Plot Thickens – Season 4: Pam Grier (INTERVIEW)
Damon Wayans is great in the character of Wally, a chubby, lying, penny pinching gas station owner who only looks out for himself. As a matter of fact, everyone in the film has an agenda and is fighting to hold on to it – whether it be a love of money, love of family, or a commitment to the love of their life. Watch the film and see who’s agenda wins out in the end.
Written, directed and executive produced by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr., Cinnamon is a Black Noir Tubi Original Film airing on the platform beginning June 23, 2023. Oz Scott serves as producer, alongside executive producers Michael D. Jones and basketball star Kevin Garnett, Brian Bennett and Mike Marangu for Content Cartel. Cinnamon is presented by Village Roadshow Pictures under their Black Noir Cinema banner, in association with FOX Entertainment Studios.
The exclusive celebration after the Tribeca Spotlight premier of the film, held at the Virgin Hotel Sky Lounge in New York City was epic and attended by the cast. The elegant event harkened way back to the days before Covid. Finally, parties are fabulous and well attended again! Pam Grier wore a cowboy hat to the event similar to the one she wore as Mama in the film. And all attendees were gifted a custom fit and adorned cowboy hat just like hers from the film. We were able to choose decorative feather, braids and jewels to personalize our hats which were also branded with our initials! A classy event. Thanks Tubi, Village Roadshow Pictures, Black Noir Cinema and FOX Entertainment Studios.
DIRECTOR
Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr.
PRODUCER
Oz Scott, Kevin Garnett
ADDITIONAL EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
Michael D. Jones, Kevin Garnett, Brian Bennett, Mike Marangu, Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr.
SCREENWRITER
Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr.
CINEMATOGRAPHER
Ayinde Anderson
EDITOR
Josh Porro
CAST
Damon Wayans, Hailey Kilgore, David Iacono, Jeremie Harris, and Pam Grier
