Actor/Rapper On Hand For Caribbean Premiere of Latest Film "Things Fall Apart"
It was announced today that rapper, actor and multi-tiered business mogul Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson will be attending the 2ndAruba International Film Festival (AIFF) for the red carpet premiere of his latest feature film "Things Fall Apart." The announcement was made by AIFF Founders and Producers Giuseppe Cioccarelli and Jonathan Vieira and Artist Director Claudio Masenza. The year's Festival takes place June 10-16, 2011. Annual
"Things Fall Apart" is scheduled to screen at 8pm on Tuesday, June 14th at the Paseo Herencia. 50 Cent will be on AIFF's famed red carpet, which promises to be as star studded as last year, with actors and filmmakers from around the world descending on Aruba to take part in the Festival and interact with fans.
The film is a touching and inspirational story about a man who loses everything, but gains the world. Director Mario Van Peebles ("Baadasssss!" "New Jack City") stirs emotions and brings the story to life combining intense action with identifiably heartwarming characters. An astonishingly emotional and heartfelt star turn from 50 Cent anchors the film, which he co-wrote with Grand Rapids-born filmmaker Brian A. Miller through his Cheetah Vision Films banner.
A drama centered around a promising football running back during his senior year in college, the film stars Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson as gifted football star Deon Barnes. Jackson is surrounded by an all-star cast that includes Ray Liotta ("Hannibal," "Goodfellas," "Smokin' Aces"), Mario Van Peebles ("Ali," "New Jack City"), Lynn Whitfield ("Stepmom," "Eve's Bayou"), Cedric Sanders ("The Social Network," "American Gangster"), Tracey Heggins ("Medicine for Melancholy," "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1"), and Ambyr Childers ("Carolina," "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star"). Randall Emmett ("Rambo" "16 Blocks") produced the film.
Curtis Jackson (aka 50 Cent) has transformed his music chart dominance to success in corporate America as a multi-tiered business mogul to be reckoned with. Recognized as one of the most talented and prolific musical artists of his time, Jackson has managed to leverage his star power into record-breaking brand extensions encompassing a broad spectrum of businesses that include music ownership, artist management, film production, footwear and apparel, video games, publishing and health drinks and supplements. With annual sales quickly approaching $300 million from a variety of business interests and numerous new endeavors on the horizon, Jackson has cemented his position in the entertainment industry as both a business and entertainment powerhouse.
In 2005, Jackson made his feature film debut with "Get Rich or Die Tryin," a loosely biographical picture which chronicled his life growing up in poverty and surrounded by negative influences on the streets of Queens, New York, as he rose to stardom as a rap star. Jackson continues to expand his film repertoire. He appeared in the Golden Globe-nominated war drama "Home of the Brave" and has numerous projects in the release pipeline. Forthcoming film projects for Jackson include "The Dance," which he is also slated to produce, "Live Bet" and his next feature film, as yet titled, with Sharon Stone and Val Kilmer.
Jackson exploded on the music scene in 2003 and has been rewriting hiphop history ever since. "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," his debut album, made history when it sold 872,000 copies to break the record for first-week sales of any major label debut in the entire SoundScan era. It was a No. 1 Billboard album for six weeks and was certified platinum nine times by the Recording Industry Association of America. To date, Jackson has sold more than 22 million albums worldwide and received numerous awards and 11 Grammy nominations. His third album, "Curtis," released in September 2007, dominated the album charts by selling over one million copies worldwide. "Curtis" garnered two Grammy nominations, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Solo Performance.
The enormous success of his music career paved the way for 50 Cent the rapper to become Curtis Jackson the record company executive. As President and CEO of G-Unit Records, Jackson oversees a stellar roster of music artists including Young Buck, Tony Yayo and Lloyd Banks among others, many of whom have garnered multiplatinum status under his aegis.
Jackson joined forces with Vivendi Universal, the leader in interactive games, to create "50 Cent: Bulletproof," an action-packed game featuring Jackson as the lead character and members of the G-Unit Records artist roster as cohorts in the fight against crime. Its popularity has made it the most successful video game in the Vivendi Universal catalogue.
The escalating success of his career has allowed Jackson to follow through with his dream of giving back to the community that has supported him over the years. He established the G-Unity Foundation to support the academic enrichment of students in low-income or underserved communities. Since its inception, the foundation has created the G-Unity Scholarship Fund at Queensborough Community College in New York and issued thousands of dollars in grant money to various nonprofit organizations. Jackson continues to expand his foundation through various philanthropic initiatives that will benefit his hometown of Queens and beyond
About the Aruba International Film Festival
The breathtaking Caribbean island of Aruba provides the backdrop for the film industry's newest "must-attend" event, taking place June 10-16, 2011, with an inviting atmosphere, suited like none other, to attract actors, directors, filmmakers, and film lovers.
AIFF stands to further global awareness for the Island of Aruba as a center of art, culture and creativity and serve as a platform to promote the understanding and appreciation for the art of cinema and filmmaking. With participants enjoying a relaxed Aruban ambiance and a casual interaction between filmmakers and audience.
The annual AIFF will bring people from around the world to view a wide selection of films, join in discussions and attend special parties and events.
AIFF has a mission to encourage, educate and activate young Aruban filmmakers. Throughout the Festival, notable film professionals will be conducting master classes on all facets of filmmaking and the creative process.
For more information please visit the Aruba International Film Festival website at www.arubafilmfest.com
