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CSI in the News October 2011 - CSI Today

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prison system and <strong>the</strong> effect it has on black and Lat<strong>in</strong>o young men," Wooton expla<strong>in</strong>ed.The film is described as a "gritty and powerful exploration of <strong>the</strong> effects of <strong>the</strong> prison <strong>in</strong>dustrial complex on<strong>the</strong> spirit and psyche of black and Lat<strong>in</strong>o men <strong>in</strong> New York State and across <strong>the</strong> nation.""Artfully played out with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> context of <strong>the</strong> flawed and overburdened justice system, 'The Tombs' is a firstattempt at us<strong>in</strong>g dramatic film as an educational medium for students and <strong>the</strong> broader public."The film is registered with this year's Cannes Film Festival, <strong>the</strong> Venice Film Festival, and <strong>the</strong> Melbourne(Australia) International Film Festival. It has also been picked up as part of HBO's American Black FilmFestival."The Tombs" premiered Sept. 17 as part of <strong>the</strong> day-long Urbanworld Independent Film Festival at <strong>the</strong> AMC34th Street Theater <strong>in</strong> midtown Manhattan.True to his mission to mentor and educate urban youth, Wooton selected Curtis High School junior IsaiahHarrison of Mar<strong>in</strong>ers Harbor, to accompany him at <strong>the</strong> premiere. The two met <strong>in</strong> January at <strong>the</strong> 4th AnnualMart<strong>in</strong> Lu<strong>the</strong>r K<strong>in</strong>g "Step Up, Speak Out Family Summit" at <strong>the</strong> College of Staten Island. The ga<strong>the</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g wassponsored by Young Talented and Gifted. Wooton was one of <strong>the</strong> workshop facilitators.Wooton, a tower<strong>in</strong>g man who walks with a cane, said he was <strong>in</strong>spired to mentor and give back to urbanteens through his own experiences.Although he was born and raised <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bronx <strong>in</strong> a large family, to keep him off <strong>the</strong> streets and out oftrouble with <strong>the</strong> law, his parents sent him away to a group home on <strong>the</strong> grounds of <strong>the</strong> Mission of <strong>the</strong>Immaculate Mary at Mount Loretto, <strong>in</strong> Pleasant Pla<strong>in</strong>s.While a student at Port Richmond High School, he became <strong>in</strong>terested <strong>in</strong> music and film as a form ofexpression. Later, he took advantage of workshops and classes offered by Community TV (CTV) and beganshoot<strong>in</strong>g his own show and music videos.At about <strong>the</strong> same time, he became <strong>in</strong>volved as a rapper and musician <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> mix-hop, multi-cultural bandcalled Aquavibe; he was known by <strong>the</strong> name Dyverse. He also tried his hand <strong>in</strong> retail<strong>in</strong>g, as owner of a hiphopcloth<strong>in</strong>g store <strong>in</strong> Stapleton. He was <strong>in</strong>troduced to director Lamo<strong>the</strong> when Lamo<strong>the</strong> was mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> film"Blackout" and <strong>the</strong> director cast him <strong>in</strong> a bit part.Just before he headed off to <strong>the</strong> film festival for <strong>the</strong> premier of "The Tombs" Wooton appeared <strong>in</strong> TappenPark to kick off events for <strong>the</strong> Staten Island Black Heritage Family Day.Page 106 of 154

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