News
Local Producer's Film: Mr. Okra Chosen For The 2010 Sundance Film Festival
Mr. Okra, produced by Franklin, La. native Andre' A. Jones, slated for Sundance Institute's Short Film Program
Mr. Okra, a documentary about one of New Orleans' everyday characters, is among the short films chosen to screen at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, set for January 21-31, in Park City, Utah. The documentary
Nom de Guerre Films (www.nomdeguerre.tv). Mr. Okra is one of only 70 short films chosen from U.S. and international filmmakers, out of over 6,000 submitted for this year's esteemed festival.
Mr. Okra, which held its Louisiana premiere this past summer at the Teche Theater in Franklin, La., exposes the life of a man who travels the streets of the Bywater, Treme' and 9th ward of New Orleans, selling his fresh fruits and vegetables—one okra at a time.
Already this year, Mr. Okra has been highly credited, receiving the ‘Peroni Italy Audience Choice Award' at the 2009 NYC Food Film Festival, as well as the ‘Documentary Short Audience Award' at the 2009 Austin Film Festival.
“We are so grateful for the recognition we have received this year for what has been a labor of love,” said Andre A. Jones, producer. “So many people have taken to Mr. Okra for the seriousness, yet playfulness revealed in his truth. This documentary captures the fundamental nature of New Orleans and its community.”
The star of the film, Arthur J. Robinson, a.k.a. "Mr. Okra", became a celebrity in his own right during this experience. This film portrayed the likeness of this simple man, beyond the clichs of Bourbon Street, and exposed the true spirit of New Orleans. He's an honest and hardworking man, who has been a significant part of the traditions of his beloved city.
Jones, the producer, and a native of Franklin, La., relocated to New York in 1997 to pursue his modeling career. While in New York he began working with editor/director T.G. Herrington again, first as a personal assistant and office manager at MoJo Editorial (a post production company for television commercials), and most recently on documentary and film production. His love of the production from concept to completion has drawn him to his 11 year career in the film industry. He attended Loyola University in New Orleans, and Morehouse College. He also worked as an agent for noted New Orleans artist, J. Renee.
To view the film trailer, visit nomdeguerre.tv. For more information about the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, or for a complete list of films, visit www.sundance.org/festival.
Nom de Guerre Films, a New Orleans based film company, was founded in late 2008 by veteran television commercial editor/director T.G. Herrington. Herrington is based in New York with editorial company, Cut + Run. Andre' A. Jones was named executive producer of Nom de Guerre Films in 2008.
About Sundance Institute
Founded by Robert Redford in 1981, Sundance Institute is a not-for-profit organization that fosters the development of original storytelling in film and theatre. Internationally recognized for its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, film composers, playwrights and theatre artists, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Angels in America, Spring Awakening, Boys Don't Cry and Born into Brothels.
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