Anne B. Real (2003) on Netflix
Cynthia Gimenez writes rap poetry in Spanish Harlem, living in a cramped Manhattan apartment with her family. A copy of The Diary of Anne Frank from her late father becomes her inspiration.
- Netflix3.5/5
- IMDb2.3/103,807 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes38%
Trailer
Plot summary
Cynthia Gimenez is a teenager of Hispanic heritage growing up in a cramped Manhattan apartment at the edge of Spanish Harlem. Cynthia's mother and grandmother get by with limited English, and her older sister raises a child alone on welfare. Her older brother sells drugs. Cynthia writes rap poetry. In a flashback, her late father hands her a worn copy of The Diary of Anne Frank, and she reads Anne's words for comfort. She buys a plaid notebook like Anne's and keeps her private thoughts in it. A line she reads tells her that children have to raise themselves, and that she can either let her surroundings define her or take charge of her own future.
Cast
- Janice Richardsonas Cynthia Gimenez (as Janice Richardson aka 'JNYCE')
- Julia Moraas Young Cynthia
- Omas Diazas Young Juan
- Kamau Herbertas Himself, Rapper
- David Ceraas Gomez - Drug Dealer #1
- Zhamyr "Sammy" Cuevaas Eduardo, Drug Dealer #2
- Nesta Wardas Frank
- Lidia Ovallesas Grandmother
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Anne B. Real (2003)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Producer Luis Moro contacted the Anne Frank Foundation in Switzerland and received permission to quote extensively from the actual text of Anne Frank's diary, in a film about a teenage rapper who draws strength from the book.
- Bernd Elias, one of Anne Frank's last surviving relatives and president of the Anne Frank Foundation, was supportive of the film according to producer Luis Moro, while screenwriter Antonio Macia, who plays one of Cynthia's teachers, paraphrased Anne's words for the script.
- Before the cast signed on, director Lisa France and producer Luis Moro made them agree to keep the film PG; France said she wanted a movie an 8-year-old and a 90-year-old could watch together without embarrassment.
