An Echo Pictures presentation. Produced by Julia Schachter, Michele Ohayon. Associate producers, Pam Brown, Emma Pullen. Directed by Ohayon
The work of Colors United, an inner-city interracial arts project of Los Angeles urban schools, provides stirring documentary material for ''Colors Straight Up.'' Premiered at the L.A. Indie Festival (and a winner in a prejudged section at the upcoming San Francisco fest), the film packs a potent punch with its message of hope. Theatrical prospects Stateside are good, and pic could find decent response in subsequent television playoff internationally.
The glue of the piece is the preparation for the group's annual stage show, a musical variation on ''Romeo and Juliet'' titled ''Watts Side Story.'' The yearlong program to mount the show provides ample opportunity to view the dynamos behind the organization, a handful of the kids and their strife-ridden community, where drugs and violence are just part of the terrain.
Director Michele Ohayon effects an organic, seemingly effortless structure for the chronicle. It's a sleight-of-hand feat as she interweaves personal tales with the relatively straightforward narrative about the conception, rehearsal and staging of the theatrical production. Still, some setup regarding the history of the Watts community would nicely enhance the piece.
While the individual tales of broken homes, pressure to be part of the gang culture, addiction and murder are hardly eye-openers, the filmmakers' keen eye for selecting charismatic, appealing teens is nonpareil. Cameraman Theo Van de Sande has an intuitive style that manages to be right in the face of the subjects and yet unobtrusive. ''Colors Straight Up's'' true achievement is that one feels part of the proceedings and not just a passive observer.
The familiar ''let's put on a show'' theme also injects a dramatic quality that heightens the experience, while the music offers a vibrant beat that's infectious.
Created in 1989 by program directors Phil Simms and Kingston DuCoeur, Colors United began at Watts' Jordan High School, where the picture unfolds. Since its inception it's expanded to three additional schools, and to its crowning credit has a record of graduating 100% of its participants.
Camera (Foto-Kem color), Theo Van de Sande; editor, Edgar Burcksen; music, John Barnes, Mino Cinelu, Joseph Julian Gonzalez, Robert Jerald, The Jazzhole; sound, Michael Reilly. Reviewed at L.A. Independent Film Fest, April 6, 1997. Running Time: 94 min.
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