KING OF THE JUNGLE
Year: 2000
USA: Urbanworld Films
Cast: John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez, Annabella Sciorra, Michael Rapaport, Rosario Dawson, Marisa Tomei, Julie Carmen, Cliff Gorman, Justin Pierce, Kim Director
Director: Seth Zvi Rosenfeld
Country: USA
USA: 99 mins
USA Rated: R for strong language, some violence and drug content
USA Release Date: 9 November 2001 (Limited Release - New York)
Synopsis
What happens when society can no longer protect its innocents?
Seymour (John Leguizamo) dreams of becoming a NBA star like the members of his beloved NY Knicks team. Mentally challenged, he lives with his over-protective mother Mona (Julie Carmen) and her lover Joanne (Rosie Perez). Seymour's estranged alcoholic father, Jack (Cliff Gorman) berates him about not being a man and Seymour's only escape is to watch and play basketball at the neighborhood court.
When Mona is slain by a neighborhood thug, as a result of her work as a vocal social activist, Seymour is shattered. The only witness to the murder, Seymour goes looking for revenge. While he roams the streets looking for the killer, Seymour's fragile emotional state continues to unravel. A violent encounter with the killer only heightens his lust for vengeance and when Seymour finds a gun in the home of his best friend, Francis (Michael Rapaport), it appears that he is destined to succumb to the code of the streets. He has become the King of the Jungle.
Concerned for Seymour's safety, Jack goes in search of his son. When they meet at the neighborhood court, Seymour and Jack engage in a dramatic confrontation. At stake is Seymour's nascent manhood and, ultimately his life.
Urbanworld Films presents KING OF THE JUNGLE, a Bombo Sports & Entertainment production in association with Forensic Films. The film is written and directed by acclaimed screenwriter and playwright Seth Zvi Rosenfeld. Co-produced by Christopher James and Steven E Bram and produced by Bob Potter, Scott Macaulay and Robin O'Hara. John Leguizamo, Stacy Spikes, Jay Rifkin and Hans Zimmer are the executive producers.