An impressive debut by then 23-year-old writer-director John Singleton, Boyz N the Hood was widely recognized as an extraordinary work and is now considered a classic. He earned two Oscar nominations for the film for Original Screenplay and Directing, making him the youngest director nominated to date and the first African American nominated for Directing.

Produced for $6.5 million and set in South Central Los Angeles, Boyz N the Hood introduced a diverse array of characters through an extraordinary cast of new (or mostly new) actors. Almost all of the leading actors – Cuba Gooding, Jr., Ice Cube (who wrote the song that gave the film its title), Morris Chestnut, Angela Bassett, Nia Long and Regina King – were making their feature debuts or appearing in their first major roles. Among the few acting veterans in the film, Laurence Fishburne portrayed Furious Styles, a father trying to see that his son grows up with a sense of self-worth. Through Singleton’s writing and directing talent, each character offered a unique perspective on the pains and hopes of growing up during difficult times in a turbulent neighborhood.

John Singleton was joined by actor Angela Bassett, actor Morris Chestnut, actor Tyra Ferrell, actor Cuba Gooding Jr., actor Nia Long, former Columbia Pictures executive Stephanie Allain, producer Steve Nicolaides, editor Bruce Cannon, composer Stanley Clarke and others and discussed the relevance of Boyz N the Hood 25 years later. See highlights below. 

More Screenings In This Series

June 14: Baby Boy

June 17: Rosewood