*************** PARENTAL ADVISORY ********************
I had a chance to speak to Matt Scott Krentz, writer and director of the new “Streetballers” movie last night and came away impressed with his hustle, attitude and flavor. Determined to remain independent and in control of his film, the St. Louis born director has decided to go on the grind and make money like a mix-tape DJ selling joints out the back of his trunk.

Krentz’s film distribution has been extremely small, opening at only 2 theaters per market. After the general public views the film, the writer-director has set up shop in the theater lobby selling the movie soundtrack in order to generate dollars for the next showing of his film in the next market.

The film has earned awards from the Hollywood Black Film Festival, the St. Louis International Film Festival and premiered in Cali at the Mann Chinese 6 on Hollywood Boulevard last week.

His goal now is to make a showing in the Mecca of Streetball – NYC. I had a chance to interview Matt to get his take on why the movie should get more light.

While I am not an advocate of movies that display pornography, sexual activity, and violent speech, the film addresses many raw subjects and hidden devices within the poor communities of America that are destroying talented men and women everyday.

A short Q&A with Matt –

Bounce:: So how good of a ball player are you?

Matt: Grew up playing ball, I used to dribbled a soccer ball when I was young. By the time I could walk I was playing ball. I went to High School at Chaminade H.S. where David Lee from the Knicks played and I walked on at Division II Rockhurst College, in Kansas City.

Bounce:Why do this film?

Matt: Basketball is unity. I wanted to do a project that brought people together. I used people who never had any formal training as actors, community spots that supported me, and talent that I grew up with. Co-Star’s Craig Thomas and Patrick Rooney are born and raised in St. Louis and know the scene. They brought an edge and dedication to the film that gives it life. I wanted to be as real as possible. The language gets rough, there are a good number of R-rated scenes and there is violence, but I had to show what really goes on in the street, behind the scenes, and some of the troubling realities in urban areas around the country.

Bounce:: What makes this movie special?

Matt: This story is real to me and very real to my life. You write something and you want it to resonate with the audience and give them something to think about as they walk away. So many kids in every hood in America have to deal with some form of vice that the film touches on and the message goes across all races and color lines.

Bounce:: You shot the basketball scenes at your home court?

Matt: Yup, Richmond Heights Courts. It was 115 degrees on the court surface during some of the shoot…

Bounce: What’s next?

Matt: NYC opening, looking for the right venue and some sponsorship.