How I Learned to Fly
Two African-American teenage brothers suddenly find themselves on their own after being mysteriously abandoned by their parents. Deeply haunted by the mental and physical abuse inflicted by their father (Wu-Tang Clan’s Cliff “Method Man” Smith), elder brother Daniel (Marcus Scribner, ABC’s Black-ish) is determined to prevent their lives from falling apart. He maintains a daily routine, works as a dishwasher and does his best to keep a roof over their heads. Younger brother Eli (Lonnie Chavis, NBC's This Is Us) struggles to cope with the absence of his mother, leaving her voicemail messages in search of answers. Embarking on a journey of survival and self-discovery, they uncover moments of beauty, newfound meaning and enduring love that strengthen their bond despite the uncertain road ahead. Featuring supporting performances by Cedric the Entertainer and Michele Selene Ang, HOW I LEARNED TO FLY is a poignant story of determination and resilience in the face of profound adversity.
Cast
- Marcus Scribner
- Lonnie Chavis
- Cliff "Method Man" Smith
- Michele Selene Ang
- Cedric The Entertainer
- "[A]n earnest depiction of two teens’ journey of survival."
- "HOW I LEARNED TO FLY is more than just a movie; it’s a journey through the complexities of human emotions and relationships. Its blend of great performances, insightful direction, and compelling storytelling underscores the transformative power of cinema. This film does more than entertain; it invites viewers to an emotional odyssey long after the final scene. It's a cinematic experience that's heartwarming and thought-provoking, a true gem in the landscape of modern filmmaking."
- "Irvin Liu’s cinematography manages to swirl brilliantly with Lauren Paonessa’s production design to capture each location’s innate tactility, which affords each scene a deep sense of reality — the world feels alive and moving, even when the brothers have little or no influence. Steuri’s editing intensifies his overall directorial style, allowing the silence between the brothers to have as much of an emotional impact as the scenes where heated confrontations take center stage...HOW I LEARNED TO FLY...contains the most commanding and riveting acting performance I’ve seen from Method Man outside of his role in THE WIRE."
- "The performances are affecting, with Michele Selene Ang making a great impression as a sympathetic laundromat owner, Method Man at his most menacing and Cedric getting across arms-length concern for what’s going on next door and the simple decency in in his character’s response to it."
- "[A] poignant story of determination and resilience in the face of profound adversity."
- "Lonnie Chavis and Marcus Scribner ground the film with their convincingly moving, natural performances that open the window into their characters' heart, mind and soul....HOW I LEARNED TO FLY is a wise, tender and heartfelt emotional journey."
- "Gentle and deeply compassionate, this drama manages to depict harsh realities without being harsh itself, focusing on hope and change...How I Learned to Fly is a beautiful movie; it's unafraid of tragedy, but it's equally unafraid of hope."
- "[A] heartbreaking journey through poverty and helplessness"
Awards & Recognition
Black Harvest Film Festival
St. Louis Int'l. Film Festival
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