So maybe a fantastical tale about CG apes gone wild isn’t really your thing, and you’d prefer something with more of a neo-realist touch; then I’ve definitely got what you need 🙂

Shadow And Act 2011/2012 Black Filmmaker To Watch, Rashaad Ernesto Green’s feature film debut Gun Hill Road – a film we’ve been talking about for about a year now – will finally make its stateside theatrical debut this weekend, when it opens tomorrow, Friday in New York City, and will gradually rollout across the country in successive weeks… depending on how well it does early on.

So, if there’s even the slightest curiosity on your part in the film, explore and satisfy it… and thank me later 🙂

I’ve already seen the film, and I loved it! A contemplative, compelling drama with all-around wonderful performances! An auspicious debut for Rashaad.

In Gun Hill Road, an ex-con (played by Esai Morales) returns home to the Bronx after three years in prison to discover his wife (Judy Reyes) estranged, and his teenage son (Harmony Santana) exploring a sexual transformation that challenges the already fragile familial bonds.

Isiah Whitlock also features.

The film made its debut at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was quickly acquired for distribution. Since then, it’s been traveling the glove, screening for diverse engaged audiences, building buzz along the way, and Rashaad has been there right alongside each trip, documenting his efforts. This is what one must do when there isn’t a significant marketing budget to pay for TV spots, billboards, and other pricey marketing materials. This opening weekend will certainly be telling.

So, you’re strongly encouraged to see it if it’s playing at a theater near you.

And as another simple kind of marketing strategy, Rashaad personally requests that you switch your Facebook and Twitter profile pictures with the poster for Gun Hill Road which you can grab below (just save it to your desktop and upload to whatever social networking site (or sites) you use, and swap with your current photo.

I interviewed Rashaad via a livecast on Wednesday evening. We spoke for about 30 minutes. You can listen to that conversation HERE.

Watch the trailer again below:

Here’s the poster: