Screw Your Courage

Synopsis: Graduate documentary. Young African-Americans who’ve dropped out of high school try to get their lives back on track with an unusual project for their impoverished Oakland, CA neighbourhood. After spending their days doing hard labour at minimum wage, they transform into actors with a performance of Macbeth. The film follows the rehearsals, focusing in particular on the 21-year-old Yusuf and Khalesa. Yusuf (Macbeth) used to be a drug dealer but turned his life around for a safer future. Khalesa (Lady Macbeth) has two children from two different fathers and is trying to fulfill her dream.
Language: English
Country: United States
Medium: Video
Technical information: Colour / Sound
Year of release: 2001
Notes: Varga received a master’s degree in journalism in 2000 at the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California at Berkeley. This is her thesis documentary.
Subjects: Drama
Keywords: Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); young offenders; Rehearsals; African-Americans