Streets 2 Suites

Narrative Short

Director: Marquette Jones

RT: 7:00mins

Friday September 28 7:05PM

Website: http://www.promotionpictures.com

             http://www.myspace.com/marquettejones

Synopsis:

Kareem, a self described hustler, is ambitious and laying the groundwork to build a vast empire. Outfitted in the hustler uniform of Timberlands and a baseball cap, Kareem hits the streets to conduct his business. His story unfolds through his interactions with people on the street – neighborhood thugs, teenage girls, and a shopkeeper. Through their conversations, a negative perception of Kareem is formed, but this is not accurate. It is only as the entirety of the conversations are revealed that Kareem’s true identity is revealed. We learn that he has taken the fierce commitment and drive of the streets and parlayed that into a real estate empire.

Kareem like many young urban professionals has foot in the corporate world and a foot in the hip hop world. The Kareem character is inspired by the much better-known figures of Sean “Diddy” Combs, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, and Russell Simmons who through their hard work and understanding of how to navigate both the block and the boardroom have risen to iconic status and heads of multi-million dollar businesses. He also represents the nameless, countless, lawyers, doctors, graduate students, entrepreneurs, and bankers that have risen above their circumstances to make a better life for themselves.

Although Kareem has “made it”, he continues to live and work in his community and for this he has gained the respect of community and serves as a role model. Kareem’s success is not just his own. “Streets to Suites” celebrates Harlem ’s rebirth.  

Principle Cast:

Filmmaker Bio:

Marquette Jones owns Hotcomb Pictures, a film production company out of Brooklyn, NY and hails from Youngstown, Ohio. She is currently an M.F.A. candidate in NYU’s Graduate Film Program.

Her short film credits include Milk, Heroes Wanted, Tunk and Streets to Suites. As a producer, she has two award-winning short films under her belt; Adventures of Super-N******: First Episode, the Final Chapter, (featured on the Independent Film Channel’s docudrama, “Film School”), and the Showtime Network sponsored, Spoonful of Sugar. Her previous production clients include: Heineken, Liz Claiborne, VP Records, Time Warner, and Essence magazine.

Prior to film school, Ms. Jones was an active Public Interest Attorney in Oakland, California protecting the rights of HIV-positive clients. Her inspiration as a filmmaker has drawn this experience and the social justice community at large.