Stony Island (1978)

Directed by

Andrew Davis

Genre

musical film

Country

United States

Runtime

1h 37m

Rating

8.0 of 10 from 4 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

A biracial rhythm and blues band forms in a changing neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. The movie follows the group as they come together and pursue their music in the late 1970s.

earthysoulfulgrittyupbeatunpolishedauthenticgrounded

What happens

Stony Island is a 1978 American musical drama film directed by Andrew Davis (in his directorial debut), and written by Davis and Tamar Simon Hoffs. The movie stars Richard Davis, the director's brother, and Edward "Stoney" Robinson. The co-stars include Dennis Franz, Rae Dawn Chong, Gene Barge, and Susanna Hoffs. The film is about an up-and-coming rhythm and blues band in Chicago. Set in various places in Chicago, including gritty Stony Island Avenue. Director Andrew Davis drew inspiration for Stony Island from his brother’s experience growing up in a changing South Side Chicago neighborhood and forming a band with local kids. Made on a modest budget of under $380,000, it was distributed by World Northal to art-house and urban cinemas, recovering two-thirds of its budget and sparking Davis’ career as a sought-after director for urban-themed films. Stony Island has been praised as a vibrant, heartfelt debut that captures the essence of Chicago's late-’70s culture and music scene. Critics commend its authentic portrayal of the city’s neighborhoods and its blend of urban grit with a soulful, semi-documentary feel. The film’s story of a biracial band forming against a backdrop of changing neighborhoods resonates with themes of integration and ambition. Featuring natural performances by real musicians and a jazzy, energetic soundtrack, the movie balances personal moments, raw emotion, and cultural commentary with charm and sincerity, solidifying its legacy as a vivid portrait of its time and place. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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