Zebrahead (1992)

"Benefits from realistic dialogue, and a candid take on the characters' lives and feelings...  Leonard Maltin's Movie & Video Guide
"Absolutely superb!  David Sheehan, KNBC-TV

Editor's Note In Detroit, Zack (Michael Rapaport), a white Jewish teen, is immersed in African. American culture. When he starts dating Nikki (N'Bushe Wright), the sister of his best friend, Dee (Deshonn Castle)--who is black--he has to face unexpected racial prejudice. Though Zack's womanizing dad (Ray Sharkey) is proud of him, trouble comes from both Nikki's mother as well as Nut (Ron Johnson), another black teen in the neighborhood who wants Nikki for himself. ZEBRAHEAD was produced by Oliver Stone and was the winner of the Filmmaker's Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival.

	Kevin Corrigan
	Lois Bendler
	Deshonn Castle
	Michael Rapaport
	N'Bushe Wright
	Ray Sharkey
	Anthony Drazan - Director
	Maryse Alberti - Director of Photography
	Elizabeth King - Editor
	Taj Mahal - Musical Score
	Matthew Coppola, et al. - Producer
	Naomi Shohan - Production Designer
	Anthony Drazan - Writer

Zach, a student at an inner city high school, takes a liking to the new girl in class -- who just happens to be his best friend's cousin. Her name is Nikki, and she's a black student from East New York starting over in Detroit. He, by contrast, is a Jew with a penchant for black culture -- especially rap music. Zach and Nikki's relationship polarizes their families and friends, revealing hidden, underlying prejudices.| Surprisingly, and sadly, internal beliefs as well as external forces rip the young lovers apart. USA Today
"...An often-humorous, low-budget gem....The stunning final images of dual embraces - one out of love, one out of hate - proves that Zebrahead earns its stripes..." -- 3 out of 4 stars 10/23/1992 p.8D

Washington Post 8 of 10
...goes beyond skin color to the heart of the matter. Basically Drazan's written and directed a brash, rap-heavy, two-tone version of Romeo And Juliet, noisy but sweet... the real slang Drazan gleaned from a research trip to Yonkers High School enlivens the profanely funny script. - Rita Kempley