“Chicken” by Josh Leong
Beyond the Short Official Premiere
In a Bronx juvenile prison, a 16-year old boy faced with losing custody of his child must discover what it takes to be a father through the raising of a chicken. Inspired by true stories.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
“This summer, I had the privilege of volunteering alongside C3.NYC’s Juvenile Justice Ministry at both Horizon and Crossroads Juvenile Centers, in the Bronx and Brooklyn. My first visit preceded Father’s Day, a difficult time for many residents who were young parents – some merely 16 years old. Having grown up with difficult and sometimes traumatic home lives, many believe they don’t have what it takes to become a parent. Residents believe they're programmed to repeat the actions of their own flawed fathers, and there’s no hope for their future.
Over the next months, I got to speak with several boys in the facilities, learning that the prison also ran a chicken hatching program with Sprout by Design. It’s primarily used as a gentling activity and to teach responsibility, but I also saw it as a metaphor for raising children. I soon understood that many residents develop strong attachments to the chicks – treating them like surrogate children. Ultimately, my intention with CHICKEN is to remind these children that they can still turn a new leaf… as fathers, working professionals, and dreamers in this world.
Our team remains committed to working alongside impacted BIPOC prison communities and recently-paroled children in the Bronx/Brooklyn through local city partners Sprout by Design, C3.NYC Juvenile Justice, and Minority Millennials. We seek to mobilize volunteers for programs inside the detention centers, move audiences to donate to rehabilitation programs, and support mentorship and early-career programs for children exiting prisons/close-to-home facilities. To learn more and get involved with our impact partners, please visit www.chickenshortfilm.com.”
-Josh Leong
CREDITS
Written & Directed by // Josh Leong
Produced by // Denyvi Rose | Catherine Nguyen / Nadera Herbert-Bey / Josh Leong
Executive Producers // Irwin Tan / Sounil / Gracie Yu / Jin / May Leong
Casting // Sophia Hiller
1st Assistant Director // Sophia Heriveaux
Cinematographer // Luc Ung
Editor // Josh Leong
Original Score // Gavin Brivik | Philip Daniel
Cast
Jordan Big
Biorkys Acosta
Opal Besson
Extras // Alan McDonald / Nathan Lewis / Jamir Reef / Sherman Fraser Jr. / Elijsha Saint-Laurent / Tyrese Avery / Joselito Morales / Anthony Perez / Lauren Franco / Jack Lee / Ana Palmers
Voiceover // Gervais Weekes
Unit Production Manager // Maya Tysoe
1st AC // Jason Wang
2nd AC // Cesar Oyarzabal
Gaffer // Matt Liang
Key Grip // JR Nelson
Sound Mixer // Elias Rivera / Rhea Li / Cailey Gottwald
Boom Operator // Cailey Gottwald / Andrew Sachs
Production Designer // Grace Musser
Art Director // Ainsley Roh
Costume Designer // Meg Ta
Hair, Make-Up // AJ Avivah
Script Supervisor // Amber Akhtar
Production Assistants // Shelby Moore / Katie McLean / Karen Jie / Amrut Ayyala
Van Drivers // Turner Andrasz / Malcolm Brainerd / Harshith Kotni / Xavier Silva / Danielle Fuller
Chick Handlers // Ilona De Jongh / Leslie Dweck
Stills Photographers // Owen Gavis / Rae DuCharme
Rap Lyrics // Darquell / Sadiki
Locations // Neil Pergament / Daniel Vincent / Steven Pace / Nicholas Vasquez / Leona Urena
Insurance // Bre Kelly
Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer // Matthew Orlando
Colorist // Andrew Ceen
Community Advisors // Kevin Myers / Christopher Silvera
In Association with // Sprout by Design / C3.NYC Juvenile Justice Ministry / NYC Administration for Children's Services / NYC Department of Education / Fourth Period / Handheld Films / Cinema-Vision
Shot on Location in New York City
Send Us Your Films
Hey filmmakers! Have a project of your own you’d like us to check out?