Product Details

• Actors: Prince Adu, Karren Karagulian, Aiden Noesi
• Directors: Sean Baker
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: New Video Group
• DVD Release Date: October 18, 2011
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B005B0QYPO
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,961 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Perhaps the shiniest indie gem I ve found so far this year. --Film Threat

PRINCE OF BROADWAY is the genuine article. --The Hollywood Reporter

Baker is creating a visual history of New York City that will one day stand with Scorsese s efforts. --Filmmaker Magazine

Product Description

Product Description

PRINCE OF BROADWAY is the story of Lucky (Prince Adu) and Levon (Karren Karagulian), two men whose lives converge in the underbelly of New York's wholesale fashion district. Lucky, an illegal immigrant from Ghana, makes ends meet by soliciting shoppers on the street with knock-off brand merchandise. Levon, an Armenian-Lebanese immigrant, operates an illegal storefront with a concealed back room where counterfeit goods are showcased to interested shoppers. Lucky's world is suddenly turned upside down when a child is thrust into his life by a woman who insists the toddler is his son. While Lucky copes with his new domestic dilemma, Levon struggles to save a marriage that is falling apart. The seedy side of the wholesale district is revealed through a journey that continually confronts the interplay between what is fake and what is real.

Set in the shadow of the Flatiron building and soaked in the colorful bustle of Broadway, the film is as much a brutal drama as it is a tender comedy, revealing the lives of immigrants in America seeking ideals of family and love, while creating their own knock-off of the American Dream.

Special Features

• Behind-the-scenes featurette: Meet the Hustlers
• Audio Commentaries with Director Sean Baker, Producer Darren Dean, and Stars Karren Karagulian and Victoria Tate

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Baby Daddy Drama: A Small And Raw Indie Boasting Two Great Lead Performances October 6, 2011

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

Sean Baker's sparse and naturalistic indie "Prince of Broadway" has a real champion in Lee Daniels, the Oscar nominated director of "Precious." Daniels (only the second African American in history to be nominated as Best Director) stamps this production with his approval and an above-the-title credit in an obvious attempt to raise awareness of a small film that would otherwise struggle to connect with a larger audience. It's a smooth move and one that I hope will meet with some success! "Prince of Broadway" represents true independent cinema with its miniscule budget, unknown actors, and largely improvisational feel. Its rawness is at once its strongest asset, but can also be somewhat limiting to a narrative that could have used a bit more polish. The film simply isn't as focused as it might be. It is still very worthy of seeing, especially for the performances, but the character development left me wanting more.

The central plot point of "Prince of Broadway" revolves around a street hustler purveying somewhat suspicious brand-name apparel. Lucky, a winning Prince Adu, solicits shoppers off the street to the backroom of his boss's (Karren Karagulian) store where knock-off labels abound. The movie successfully creates this alternate world where scrambling, fast talk, and casual lawlessness are steps to success. Lucky hopes to break free, perhaps attend school, when his life is turned upside down when a former flame drops off a baby she claims is his. Unable to return the tyke, this throws a real monkey wrench into both his business and his current relationship. All of this is handled quite well (although some details are glossed over--I don't think that baby ate, cried, or filled his diaper in the first 24 hours).... The budding relationship between potential father and son are this piece's strongest component. But, in truth, as Lucky blusters and complains about his lot--the dialogue (which seems extemporaneous) gets a bit repetitive. The same scene plays on in different variations throughout the film.

This was less of a problem for me, though, than a lack of character insight into other major players. We spend some time with Karagulian at home as his marriage is dissolving, but we don't get enough information to really care. Also we spend some time with the baby's mother and her new controlling boyfriend--but again, nothing is developed in any substantial way for it to have much significance. I'd have liked a bit more background, a bit more depth. But still, the central story is certainly winning enough. I enjoyed Prince Adu's performance and his scenes with Karagulian and at work pay off in a very entertaining way. Baker is a raw talent, someone I'd like to see more of. If "Prince of Broadway" is any indication, he has a real point of view that can only get more focused as his career progresses. KGHarris, 10/11. Read more ›

3.0 out of 5 stars The Love Of Many Shall Wax Cold April 19, 2013

By mr. critic

Format:DVD

Unwanted baby, lovers, and immigrants are all "livin' just enough for the cit-ay." Tiny budget indies are important for subjects like this, but the sloppy production is almost unbearable. Actors are rarely more than 4 feet from the camera. Shots are rarely more than seconds. The lack of a tripod makes the shaky cam fast edits (with the cheapest lens possible) nauseating. Still, I must admit the lead and child actors have a very raw chemistry that experienced actors rarely if ever have.

3.0 out of 5 stars Baby Daddy Drama: A Small And Raw Indie Boasting Two Great Lead Performances October 20, 2011

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:Amazon Instant Video

Sean Baker's sparse and naturalistic indie "Prince of Broadway" has a real champion in Lee Daniels, the Oscar nominated director of "Precious." Daniels (only the second African American in history to be nominated as Best Director) stamps this production with his approval and an above-the-title credit in an obvious attempt to raise awareness of a small film that would otherwise struggle to connect with a larger audience. It's a smooth move and one that I hope will meet with some success! "Prince of Broadway" represents true independent cinema with its miniscule budget, unknown actors, and largely improvisational feel. Its rawness is at once its strongest asset, but can also be somewhat limiting to a narrative that could have used a bit more polish. The film simply isn't as focused as it might be. It is still very worthy of seeing, especially for the performances, but the character development left me wanting more.

The central plot point of "Prince of Broadway" revolves around a street hustler purveying somewhat suspicious brand-name apparel. Lucky, a winning Prince Adu, solicits shoppers off the street to the backroom of his boss's (Karren Karagulian) store where knock-off labels abound. The movie successfully creates this alternate world where scrambling, fast talk, and casual lawlessness are steps to success. Lucky hopes to break free, perhaps attend school, when his life is turned upside down when a former flame drops off a baby she claims is his. Unable to return the tyke, this throws a real monkey wrench into both his business and his current relationship. All of this is handled quite well (although some details are glossed over--I don't think that baby ate, cried, or filled his diaper in the first 24 hours).... The budding relationship between potential father and son are this piece's strongest component. But, in truth, as Lucky blusters and complains about his lot--the dialogue (which seems extemporaneous) gets a bit repetitive. The same scene plays on in different variations throughout the film.

This was less of a problem for me, though, than a lack of character insight into other major players. We spend some time with Karagulian at home as his marriage is dissolving, but we don't get enough information to really care. Also we spend some time with the baby's mother and her new controlling boyfriend--but again, nothing is developed in any substantial way for it to have much significance. I'd have liked a bit more background, a bit more depth. But still, the central story is certainly winning enough. I enjoyed Prince Adu's performance and his scenes with Karagulian and at work pay off in a very entertaining way. Baker is a raw talent, someone I'd like to see more of. If "Prince of Broadway" is any indication, he has a real point of view that can only get more focused as his career progresses. KGHarris, 10/11. Read more ›

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! I have been waiting 2 years for this to come to dvd! November 4, 2011

By W. Logan

Format:DVD

Me and my wife went to see this movie at black harvest in Chicago in 2008. This film blew everything out of the water! We bought the pass so we can see alot of independent movies but the only one we clearly remember and follow is this film! Prince Adu is amazing. This film captures the true human spirit of each situation perfectly. Who ever rated this film 3 stars is crazy! or maybe just a film snob. This review is coming from someone who loves films like City of God, Rockers, and films as such. You will not be disappointed! Trust me!