“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


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