Educational Media Reviews Online

Director Sergio Goes spent nearly two years filming this documentary of the intertwined lives of two young men from East New York in Brooklyn, a violent, crime riddled neighborhood. Tislam Milliner, Tiz, a 25 year old rapper is hoping to make it to the big time and to get out of the hood. Mel, identified by first name only, has not spent a full year out of jail since he was thirteen. The two have been friends for a decade. As teenagers they robbed stores together, and the friendship has survived Tiz’s shooting Mel in the back during a botched robbery when they were sixteen.

Tiz gets a break when Kool G Rap, a pioneer of gangsta rap, invites him to record a track for his new CD. As Tiz’s manager, Billy Dee, points out, many people have their hopes for the future pinned on his making it. When Tiz’s girlfriend I’eishia Wilson gives birth to their son, Tiz’s responsibilities become even heavier. The tender scenes between the young parents and between Tiz and his son illuminate his love of his family. Tiz wants for his family what most Americans want - a home with a white picket fence,

Life for Mel and his girlfriend India, however, follows a dark and potentially deadly path. India says she wants to get out of the street life, yet she “loves the game.” Mel too talks about getting out of the street life, yet paradoxically he flat out says, “I ain’t going to work.” He isn’t bothered by the prospect of more jail time. As he says, “Jail like a father to me.”

Bluntly honest Mel declares that anyone who wants to get out can do so. The unspoken text is that Mel really doesn’t want to get out; he’s committed to the excitement of his career as a drug hustler. Mel represents what Tiz is trying to escape, but escaping is not as easy as Mel makes it out to be. Tiz, burdened by family responsibilities, briefly slips back into drug dealing. These two men share a very complex relationship, but there is a bittersweet acknowledgement by both that if Tiz becomes a success his relationship with Mel will become less significant.

Black Picket Fence had its world premiere at the Brooklyn International Film Festival and was selected the winner of the Spirit Award & Best Original Score – 2002. The camera work is at times lyrical, a considerable achievement considering both the setting and the action. The story is fast paced, but although some subtitles have been added, there are still significant scenes in Black Picket Fence during which the ghetto patois is difficult to understand. This film has graphic language, drug sales and use, and brief nudity.