For those who’ve been wondering what the status of the Taraji P. Henson sports drama, From The Rough, is, and whether you’ll get the chance to see it eventually, you’ll be pleased to know that the film now has an official theatrical release date, as I learned over the weekend.
It’ll open next week Friday, April 25, via a service deal with Freestyle Releasing.
No word yet on specific cities/states it’ll run, but I’d suggest registering for updates on the film’s website HERE. I’d assume that it’ll be a limited release to start.
Last we reported on this, in August 2013, an IndieGoGo campaign had been set up by the film’s producer/financier Michael Critelli, to raise $500,000 to help with the film’s release. But the campaign wasn’t successful raising just over $3800, less than 1% of the goal.
Here’s what was written on the campaign’s page at the time:
The movie is complete and ready to be released. We are just beginning our awareness building programs.
We need your help to get the movie out into theaters in America and across the globe. The money we raise through this program will enable more theaters to show the movie and so more people can be inspired by Coach Starks. It costs us over $1,000 just to get the movie onto each big screen.
Every pledge is one more fan, one more person who wants to send a message to Hollywood, to distributors, to prospective investors, and to exhibitors that movies like From The Rough have broad appeal and need to be supported.
As a thank you for your generous pledges, we have put together some exclusive and exciting ‘perks’ for you, including:
- Having your name on the movie and DVD credits
- A phone call from one of the movie’s stars
- VIP access to a movie premiere and after-party
We understand that not everyone can contribute monetarily. There are other ways to help out! Please help us and get involved by spreading the word about our movie. Please visit the website and sign up to receive our newsletter, like and share our Facebook page, follow us onTwitter, and spread the word to all your friends and family.
Recall that this is the film which was at the center of a battle for control between director Pierre Bagley and financier/producer Critelli, which was very well documented on this blog.
We’ve been following the film’s progress since 2010/2011, and so there’s a lengthy dramatic back-story to it as, which I really don’t want to revisit within this post. But if you’d like to catch up on all of it, click HERE to do so.
By the way, I’d be remiss if I didn’t add that the late Michael Clarke Duncan co-stars in the film. As do Letoya Luckett, Tom Felton, Henry Simmons, and others.
From the Rough is the inspirational true story of Catana Starks from historically black university Tennessee State, who became the first woman ever to coach an all-men’s team at the collegiate level. Through grit and determination, she overcame incredible odds and deep-seated prejudice from all corners to guide a rag-tag group of golfers to an all-time record championship season. From the Rough celebrates this remarkable woman’s triumph against overwhelming odds.
Pierre Bagley is listed as director, and Michael A. Critelli is screenwriter.
Along with today’s release news are a new release trailer, a clip from the film, as well as an official poster, which are all embedded below:
