On the Come Up is based on the New York Times #1 best-selling novel by Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give) and is the feature directorial debut of Emmy-nominated actress Sanaa Lathan. On the Come Up will hold its World Premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival.
Starring newcomer Jamila C. Gray, On the Come Up is the story of Bri, a gifted 16-year-old rapper, who attempts to take the battle rap scene by storm in order to lift up her family and do right by the legacy of her father – a local hip hop legend whose career was cut short by gang violence. But when her first hit song goes viral for all the wrong reasons, she finds herself torn between the authenticity that got her this far and the false persona that the industry wants to impose upon her.
The coming-of-age film also stars Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Lil Yachty, Mike Epps, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Justin Martin, Titus Makin, Michael Cooper Jr., GaTa, Sanaa Lathan and Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith.
‘We are thrilled to bring a truly inspiring film about fighting for your dreams to the service this fall,’ said Tanya Giles, chief programming officer at Paramount+. ‘On the Come Up is a moving love letter to hip hop and an entertaining film for all ages.’
Produced by Temple Hill and State Street Pictures, On the Come Up is directed by Sanaa Lathan, with screenplay by Kay Oyegun. The film is produced by George Tillman Jr., Robert Teitel, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner, Angie Thomas and Timothy M. Bourne and executive produced by John Fischer.
Production notes
ON THE COME UP
Directed by: Sanaa Lathan
A Paramount+ presentation in association with Paramount Pictures’ Players Label
A State Street Pictures and Temple Hill production
Executive Producer: John Fischer
Produced by: George Tillman Jr, Robert Teitel, Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Isaac Klausner, Angie Thomas, Timothy M. Bourne
Production Supervisor: Heath Howard
Post-production Supervisor: Marisa Clayton
Casting: George Pierre, Leah Daniels Butler
Screenplay: Kay Oyegun
Based on the novel by: Angie Thomas
Director of Photography: Eric Branco
Editor: Steven Rosenblum
Production Designer: N.C. Page Buckner
Art Director: Joey Sarno
Set Decorator: Cara Price
Original Score: Daniel Wohl
Poetry & Lyrics by: Rapsody
Music Editor: Clint Bennett
Costume Design: Leigh Leverett
Supervising Sound Editor: David Giammarco
Re-recording Mixers: David Giammarco, Luke Schwarzweller
Stunt Coordinator: Jennifer Badger
Cast
Jamila C. Gray (Brianna, ‘Bri’)
Sanaa Lathan (Jay)
Cliff ‘Method Man’ Smith (Supreme)
Miles Gutierrez-Riley (Sonny)
Michael Cooper Jr (Malik)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
Lil Yachty
Mike Epps
Justin Martin
Titus Makin
GaTa
USA 2022
115 mins
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures/Paramount+
Courtesy of Focus Features
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Programme notes and credits compiled by the BFI Documentation Unit
Notes may be edited or abridged
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