The critically acclaimed, ‘Snow on tha Bluff’ is a surreal edgy docudrama based on the life and crimes of Atlanta crack drug dealer Curtis Snow. The film is completely shot in the crime ridden and very dangerous section of west, Atlanta, GA, called the “Bluff” which stands for “Better Leave U (you) F@cking Fool”, this seems to add even more authenticity to a film, whose credibility is being debated across the country.
Former producer for 'The First 48” crime drama on AE, reality television director Damon Russell has mastered the ability of combining fiction and non-fiction to the degree that it is almost impossible to know the difference in his work. Whether you come away from viewing this film believing it is either real or staged, most are in agreement that this is still an excellent piece of documentary work.
Curtis Snow, the main character in this film is a very cunning and complex individual, he is always plotting his next deal and/or heist, yet at the same time he displays an enormity of heart; particularly when he is speaking about his son and family.
During one of the most disturbing scenes in the film, is seeing Curtis cutting up crack cocaine in front of his toddler son, while describing his same or similar young life to his audience. You then are shown Curtis being forewarned by his grandmother about the evil spoils of his current life in drug dealing. “There’s nothing in the streets but trouble, and death,” she says, “there’s just one step between you and death: you never know when you’re makin’ that last step.” Curtis seems to take it in one ear and out the other.
On the flipside of the coin, he is breaking into rival drug gangs homes and stealing all their drugs and money; setting off a series of constant retaliation attempts between he and his adversaries.
Most importantly this documentary narrative also shows its viewers the reality of a drug dealer’s life. It doesn’t boast the typical Hollywood perspective that’s glorified in today’s music, movies or television attempts. It portrays the violence, the degradation and particularly the loss that most drug criminals deal with “everyday, all day” as Curtis states in the film.
The story begins with 3 unsuspecting college students scouting around for drugs before heading off for their spring break vacation. After approaching Snow to score various drugs for their trip, Snow cons his way into their car and proceeds to rob them of all their money and belongings which includes their video camera, from this point the documentary really takes off!
Once he scores the video camera he decides to use it to document his everyday crime ridden life. He documents every step, from robbing other dealers who infiltrate his territory dealing drugs, as well as, his constant attempted escape from the Georgia police department.
At first, I thought this movie was scripted or at least a staged directed film, based on re-enactments of real life happenings. Yet as the story continued, it became more and more clear to me that this was an authentic live action glimpse into Curtis Snow’s actual life.
Flashing before my eyes was a set of realistic frames taken from Curtis’ complex everyday life as a modern day drug dealer.
He states to the person he hands the camera to during filming, “Never stop filming, no matter what!” Snow with Russell’s direction takes its viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. At the Atlanta Film Festival, some viewers became so overwhelmed that a heated altercation broke out in the theater.
Hurriedly, Snow and Russell appeared on one of the local news programs the next day exclaiming that the altercation, although due to the explicit subject matter, was no more than just a few over zealous screeners that got out of hand. Snow also went on to explain that ‘Snow on tha Bluff’ was just a dramatization and he was just an actor trying to get to a million dollars legitimately? His statements seem to add even more fodder to the doubt surrounding the film. This journalist believes it may have been a screen for law enforcement.
Russell has stated in several interviews, “that during filming someone tried to run him over with their car, pistols were pulled on him and he was arrested by Georgia police. In addition, Curtis was arrested 5 times during filming.”
Damon Russell’s background in reality television might explain his attraction, as well as, skill at making this story seem like non-fiction with a fictional twist. This journalist believes you should view the film and be your own judge.
The film’s underlying theme is the reality of the life of an urban drug dealer’s survival. One of Snow’s most poignant statements in the film is, “Well drugs kill now, but at the same time, sh@t, they also help you out, they pay your rent if you ain't got no job.”
The sad reality is that this seems to be the only hope for survival that most people in our ghettos have, especially in today’s economy. When Snow’s baby mama talks to him about making money the right way, he tells her, “Ain’t no right or no wrong way—there’s the need way.”
Since its world premiere at the Slam Dance Movie Festival,‘Snow on tha Bluff’ has won “Best Narrative Feature” at the Chicago Underground Film Festival and "Best Editing" at the Brooklyn Film Festival. Director Damon Russell, Curtis Snow and Producer Chris K have brought to its viewers a documentary narrative to be reckoned with. They take you on a 80 minute journey into Curtis Snow’s sordid crime ridden life, and whether this film is fact or fiction these three gentlemen have produced a wonderful realistic piece of cinema that has caused a commotion of debate all over the country.
Stay tuned for our upcoming interview with Director Damon Russell and Producer Chris K.
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