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Feature | English | USA

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​Production Status: In Development

 

Genre:  Genre: Action/Thriller

 

Tagline: From playground to frontline, three agents face their darkest mission.

 

Logline: Inspired by true events, three childhood friends from the streets of New Orleans rise through the ranks to become federal agents, each driven by their own methods to dismantle the city’s sprawling human trafficking network until a shocking betrayal from within, forces them to question everything they knew about loyalty, justice, and the bonds of friendship.

 

Based on a Story by: Sallay Shameka Gray

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Screenplay by: Rachel Grissom & Sallay Shameka Gray

 

Producer: Carol Bidault de l'Isle

 

Countries of production: USA

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FINANCE IN PLACE: 60% (In Senior Lender and Tax incentives)

 

Duration (in minutes): 90

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SYNOPSIS: 

Inspired by true events, The Avenue Of Good Children follows the lives of three childhood friends from the streets of New Orleans - Makeda, Lanh, and Camila - who rise through the ranks to become federal agents. The narrative unfolds across multiple timelines, showcasing their shared past and their present-day fight against the city's human trafficking network.

 

In their youth, the girls witness the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent social breakdown, which exposes them to the harsh realities of human trafficking. These experiences fuel their determination to seek justice and protect the vulnerable.

 

As adults, they each find their place within the federal agencies: Makeda with the FBI, Lanh with the CIA, and Camila with the Louisiana State Police. They are driven by their shared mission to dismantle the city's sprawling human trafficking network, but their methods and approaches differ. Makeda believes in working within the system, while Lanh and Camila are more willing to bend the rules to achieve their goals.

 

The story takes a dramatic turn when a shocking betrayal from within their own ranks forces them to question everything they know about loyalty, justice, and the bonds of friendship. The betrayal leads to a devastating loss for Makeda, who loses her husband and child in a targeted attack.

Fueled by grief and anger, Makeda becomes consumed by her pursuit of revenge against those responsible. Her actions become increasingly reckless, blurring the lines between justice and vengeance. The betrayal and its aftermath test the limits of their friendship, forcing them to confront their own demons and the sacrifices they have made in their pursuit of justice.

 

The Avenue Of Good Children explores themes of loyalty, justice, friendship, and the complexities of fighting against a deeply entrenched criminal network. It delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by the three friends as they navigate the murky waters of law enforcement and the sacrifices they make in their pursuit of a greater good.

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The producers of the film would like to thank the following agencies that fight for children and against human trafficking:

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• End Human Trafficking Fund.

• PACT

• Polaris

• Freedom Network USA

• ???

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Co-Writer/Executive Producer/Lead Actress - Sallay Shameka Gray: Sallay Shameka Gray is an Actress born and raised in New Orleans. She studied theater at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA and later received her BFA in acting and producing at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. She is an Arts Integration teacher for Young Audiences of Louisiana and teaches middle school theater at Young Audiences Charter School. She has graced the stage in projects The Black Nativity, Seeking Asylum, Le Code Noir and Inner Child. Her recent film projects include I'M A Virgo, NCIS: New Orleans, A House Divided, I, Love Louis and Murderous Affairs . Sallay Shameka is currently the International and United States representative for Women in Film and Television Louisiana as well the immediate past president and has been on the Board of Directors since 2016.

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​Writer - Rachel Grissom: A long-time resident of New Orleans, Rachel has worked in the arts her entire life, in film, theater, radio, and education. She has written and directed a feature film as well as several short films and a web series, which have all gone on to win recognition and awards at film festivals around the country. Devoted to community service, Rachel has worked as a sound engineer at WRBH, a radio station for the blind, taught production sound Masterclasses at NOVAC and Loyola University, in particular for female, BIPOC, and LBGTQ+ filmmakers, and volunteered in Boston at the Coyote Theater's Tremont Street Project, a playwriting after-school program for children in public housing. She volunteers with various nonprofits in New Orleans, and helps animal welfare organizations such as The Inner Pup and the New Orleans Bulldog Rescue produce PSA's and educational films. Rachel is also honored to serve as a judge for The Black Film Festival of New Orleans. She lives in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans with her partner and growing menagerie of rescue animals.

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Producer: Carol Bidault de l’Isle is an award-winning producer, specialized in international motion picture/television financing, distribution, media asset acquisitions, and management. She brings with her over 30 years of industry experience in the United States, Europe and, Latin America. She is currently producing several comedy features for the National Lampoon Company. She recently co-produced the feature films, DALILAND directed by Mary Harron (AMERICAN PSYCHO), starring Erza Miller, Ben Kingsley in association with Serein Productions; and THE SECURITY OF FEAR, starring Brad Dourif, William Baldwin, Jean-Marc Barr. She is also in pre-production & development of features on four continents (US, Latin America, Europe and, the Middle East). 

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