White Lies, Black Sheep

James Spooner travels the fiction route with White Lies, Black Sheep, but also interweaves the rudimentary elements of nonfiction (location and behavioral-fueled observation and insight) into this journey -- to such a degree that the outing might well be termed a "scripted documentary." Ayinde Howell stars as Ajamu "A.J." Talib, a young indie rock promoter at ease amid the New York club scene. Though officially Afro-American, he is neither continually conscious of his racial identity, nor -- it seems -- all that affected by it. Meanwhile, his Caucasian buddy Josh (Jeremy Bobb) appears to be grappling with his own racial identity by suppressing his "whiteness" and both acting and thinking black -- dating African-American women, aggressively and vociferously touting The Autobiography of Malcolm X, etc. Initially, though A.J. insists that his African-American heritage is neither here nor there for him, he begins to observe the myriad ways in which it impacts his social relationships.

Directed by James Spooner, White Lies, Black Sheep leans on a strong ensemble — Jeremy Bobb, Antibalas, Tali De Mar — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2007.