'The Wood' is Autobiographical
from STAFF REPORTS
 In the panicky, uncertain hours before his wedding, a groom with prenuptial jitters and his two best friends reminisce about
growing up together in Inglewood, Calif. Flashing back to the twenty-something trio's child- hood exploits, "The Wood" captures the mood and nostalgia of the '80s era through the
powerful beats and lyrics of some of the decade's most memorable hip-hop music.The Paramount Pictures presentation of an MTV Films production is done in association with Bona Fide Productions.
It stars Taye Diggs, Omar Epps and Richard T. Jones, as the three friends, joined by Sean Nelson and Malinda Williams. The movie is written and directed by Rick Famuyiwa from a story by Famuyiwa and Todd Boyd.
The title refers to the name given Inglewood.
 Just before the wedding, Roland (Taye) visits his high school sweetheart, Tanya (Tamal Jones).
His friends, Mike (Epps) and Slim (Jones) track down the coldfooted Roland and they begin reliving the their teenage days in an era of chasing girls, jheri curls, K-Swiss tennis shoes and hip-hop beaths.
The revisit old stomping grounds, but realize the marriage will forever alter their relationships.
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Richard T. Jones, left, Taye Diggs, and Omar Epps star in "The Wood." At left, Diggs with co-star LisaRae. |
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The story is autobiographical for Famuyiwa, a product of Inglewood. He conceived of the story afer a friend announced his wedding and the two of them
reminised for hours about the good old days. Famuyima attended the University of Southern California, wher he played basketball. He later switched to USC's School of Cinema-Television and majored in film.
He says seeing Oliver Stone's film "JFK" was an inspiration to him. "When I saw 'JFK' I realized what a major impact films can have on people and I wanted to do that with my own films," Famuyima said.
"The Wood" opens nationwide on July 16.
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