Heart of Stone

Before 1960, the Weequahic section of Newark, NJ, was largely an enclave of firstgeneration working-class Jewish families. During this era, Weequahic High School was one of the top public high schools in America. One of its more famous graduates is Philip Roth, who has made his career using the Weequahic environs as the backdrop to many of his novels. Life in Weequahic changed abruptly after the 1967 Newark Riots. The Jewish families moved out and were replaced by poor African Americans. For the next 30 years, a culture of discipline was replaced by a culture of crime as academic performance plummeted and the Bloods and Crips ruled campus and the streets. It was not until 2001 that Weequaic High School saw a glimmer of hope with the arrival of a new principal, Ron Stone, who vowed to return the school back to its former glory. This is an unusual tale where past meets present and adolescents strive to overcome adversity.
heartofstonethemovie.com

Awards:

Slamdance Film Festival (Audience Award) 2009
Cinequest Film Festival (Jury Award) 2009
Philadelphia Film Festival (Best Feature Film) 2009
Atlanta Film Festival 2009