With Starz Network’s “Power,” executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, currently unfolding over its third season, its fitting that a new film co-starring 50 Cent’s first-born son is about to make its world premiere.

Initially developed as a television pilot to follow in the footsteps of hits like “Empire” and “Power,” in the independently produced “Dope Fiend,” soon-to-be rising star Marquise Jackson makes his on-screen debut in the key role of Lil’ Bam. The slick trailer, embedded below, definitely has a realistic Bedford-Stuyvesant and urban Brooklyn aesthetic, and Marquise Jackson looks unquestionably like his father, just smaller in stature and fresh-faced.

“Dope Fiend” was developed by producers as a new media webisode, in the spirit of “Menace II Society” meets Nicholas Winding Refn’s “Drive,” and set to explore the devious issues surrounding modern-day gentrification.

Producers Ron Elliot (who also serves as the writer and director) and Ebony Tay have announced that “Dope Fiend” will make its world premiere at the 2016 Newark International Film Festival – which will be held in Newark, New Jersey – on September 10th at 7pm.

The complex plot goes as follows, as shared by the producers: “In a twisted tale of gentrification, Profit, a Brooklyn drug dealer, finds his family in the middle of an intricate plot for gentrification against evil landlords fueling a war. They use covert tactics that only benefits them in the removal of everyone from the neighborhood. An illiterate child of dope fiend parents, Profit is driven by the love for his grandma who raised him – he will do what it takes to fund a better life for her and his family. Profit’s savvy and introspective philosophy is a stark contrast to the ruthless, violent ways of his rival and Latin kingpin, Santiago, igniting a perpetual war. When Profit’s associate Oscar is killed, Oscar’s alluring Rastafina girlfriend, Isis, is forced to seek revenge in order to survive, culminating in a real life crime drama of Shakespearian proportions. Based on true events.”

“Dope Fiend” was written, directed by Ron Elliot, Executive Produced by Shawn Lindsey and Produced by Janelle Abraham. In addition to Marquise Jackson, other actors in “Dope Fiend” include Malik Yoba (“Empire”), Tobias Truvillion (“Empire”), Andra Fuller (“Black Jesus”), Hisham Tawfiq (“The Blacklist”), Dutchess Lattimore (“Black Ink”) and Ephraim Benton (“The Place Beyond The Pines”) and Jamaica’s very own Sakina Deer.

To purchase “Dope Fiend” tickets for the Newark International Film Festival world premiere visit : http://bit.ly/2bVnGjS

The festival runs from September 9-11, 2016. For more information, visit: http://newarkiff.com.

A first trailer for “Dope Fiend” is embedded below:

In addition to writing about film, television, and media, Curtis Caesar John is a film exhibitor and advocate, born and raised in Brooklyn, NYC. Follow him on Twitter @MediaManCurt

Shawn ‘OG Turtle’ Lindsay

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