The Flint water crisis has been going on since 2014, with residents of the Michigan city affected by lead-tainted water and associated health issues.
Criminal charges against eight officials involved in the crisis were recently dropped, but this scandal is not going to be forgotten any time soon. A film about the matter, made by Will Smith’s production company and starring T.I., is slated for release.
The Atlanta rapper will headline Flint, written and directed by Malcolm M. Mays, best known for acting in the FX series Snowfall (created by late director John Singleton). The film is coming from Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment.
Though based on a real-life event, the film appears to be at least partly fictionalized. An early synopsis says it’s about an ex-convict who, after a spiritual awakening, finds himself entangled in a murder mystery involving a former flame as well as a young protégé. During this time, T.I.’s protagonist uncovers the root of the water crisis affecting his hometown.
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Also starring in the film will be Fast & Furious actor John Ortiz. The film will have multiple people serving as producers. Singleton will be credited as an executive producer, as he was instrumental in getting the film off the ground.
Since starring in 2006’s A.T.L., T.I. has gained an impressive resumé of film credits, appearing in hits like American Gangster, Get Hard, and both films in the Ant-Man series. He is typically credited as “Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris.”
Smith is not the first in his famous family to shine a light on this issue. His son, Jaden, has been doing his part to bring clean water to Flint. His company JUST water and First Trinity Missionary Baptist Church have brought a mobile filtration system called “The Water Box” to the city to help detoxify its water.
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