When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story

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When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story
When Love Kills- The Falicia Blakely Story.jpeg
Directed by Tasha Smith
Written byCas Sigers-Beedles
Produced by
  • Tasha Smith
  • Cas Sigers-Beedles
  • James Seppelfrick
  • James Seppelfrick
  • David Eubanks
Starring
CinematographyBruce Francis Cole
Edited byDante Wyatt
Production
company
Distributed by TV One
Release dates
  • June 15, 2017 (2017-06-15)(American Black Film Festival)
  • August 28, 2017 (2017-08-28)(U.S.)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story is a 2017 American biographical crime drama film based on a true story directed by Tasha Smith in her directorial debut, and written by Cas Sigers-Beedles. The film stars Lil Mama as Falicia Blakely, a 16-year-old teen mom who becomes stripper, and pimp and predator, Dino (played by Lance Gross). [1] On August. 15, 2002, Blakely and Dino robbed and killed two men — Claudell Christmas and Raymond Goodwin, and the next day, killed Lemetrius Twitty, after picking him up in a club. The duo were arrested after a week-long run and eventually pleaded guilty to multiple charges. Blakely is serving three life sentences without parole in a Georgia prison. [2] Blakely is the first and youngest woman to ever be considered for the death penalty in Georgia.

Contents

It premiered at the 2017 American Black Film Festival on June 15, 2017. [3] It later premiered on TV One on August 28, 2017. [4] [5] The film received positive reviews from critics and two nominations at the 49th NAACP Image Awards.

Cast

Reception

The film received positive reviews for performances of Lil Mama, Gross, and Roman and Smith' directing. [6] [7] The film became the highest-rated original movie in the history of the TV One, according to the network. [7] At the 49th NAACP Image Awards, When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story was nominated for a Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special, and Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special (Cas Sigers-Beedles). [8]

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References

  1. "Director says 'When Love Kills' examines 'humanity' of murderous stripper". August 18, 2017.
  2. "6 Things To Know About The Real Falicia Blakely". Essence. October 26, 2020.
  3. "TV One & Tasha Smith Present When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story at the American Black Film Festival". Mogul.
  4. Lundy, Kadeem (August 28, 2017). "Exclusive: Tasha Smith Talks About TV One's 'When Love Kills' The Falicia Blakely Story".
  5. "'When Love Kills' Debuts On TV One". August 28, 2017.
  6. Manns, Keydra (August 28, 2017). "TV Review: 'When Love Kills'".
  7. 1 2 "The Community for Black Creativity and News - Blavity News". Blavity News & Entertainment.
  8. Staff, T. H. R. (November 20, 2017). "NAACP Image Awards: 'Marshall,' 'Get Out,' 'Girls Trip' Dominate Film Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter .