Films In The Hood: A Telegram Film Review: "Rouge"

The Freep Film Festival is a film festival produced by the Detroit Free Press. The event is worked in tandem with Michigan.com the papers business and events branch. The documentary film festival showed from April 10th through 14th throughout different venues in the Detroit area.

The film, Rouge. Kicked off the pageant of cinema on its opening night at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Rouge is produced and directed by Mohamed "Hamoody" Jaafar. Jaafar is a native of Downriver, a historian, and an experienced award-winning filmmaker. The films Detroit Diamond, Sunset to Sunshine, and Goodwill are all products of Hamoody's mind.

Rouge spotlights the 2019-2020 River Rouge boys Basketball team. The season prior River Rouge made it to the Breslin Center but fell short in the finals. In this legendary season, LaMonta Stone's team lost one game, shut out the nation's best player, and was arguably the best team in the state. Due to the unforeseen Covid pandemic, the Panthers did not get a chance to compete for the state championship that year. Cutting one of the greatest basketball runs in Michigan history short.

Jaffar weaves the present brilliantly with River Rouge's historic basketball past. He got his hands on film that was almost older than time itself. The story tells the story of Lofton C Greene. Greene arrived in Rouge in 1943 and coached the team for forty-one years. Greene amassed a record of 739-231. Winning twelve state B championships and becoming the all-time wins leader in Michigan high school history. Jaafar captures clips from Michigan State Head Coach Tom Izzo, Detroit Pistons announcer George Blaha, and Free Press sports writer Mick McCabe to confirm the legacy Greene left behind.

The story also tells the real American consequences of how the disbursement of the industrial system affected River Rouge. Many residents and resources left the city leveling how things functioned moving forward. LaMonta Stone captured the next half of the film. Greene coached Stone and passed on his methods.

LaMonta Stone and Jaffar became family through this process. Stone trusted the director and producer to capture his past, present, and future. Charting how Stone used Greene's wisdom to assist his journey and place new claws on the Panthers. LaMonta Stone led River Rouge to Class B state championships in 1998 and 1999. Brett Darby pushed the charge for the back-to-back run.

Darby went on to play for Ohio State. Winning two Big Ten championships and earning a spot on the Ohio State all-time scoring list. Darby had intentions of returning to River Rouge to coach basketball as Greene and Stone had ingrained into the culture. His dream was cut short by Darby's untimely passing by blood clots in 2011. He is honored every time River Rouge turns the lights on. His name and number will forever glisten in maroon on River Rouge's court.

Narratives of the players ran parallel to Stones. Charging the history-driven emotion of the 15th state championship journey. LaMonta Stone had to coach Brett Darby Jr. Who had moved from Cleveland to play for Rouge and become closer to his father's roots. Legend Geeter was a sought after local talent. The River Rouge system inducted him in middle school and watched him go up on the recruitment board, as well as excel in college. The documentary concluded with the student's life after the season. Darby continued to play basketball and create music. Legend is at Eastern Michigan University with two years left to play. Geeter is reunited with LaMonta Stone as he still influences the game as Director of Basketball Operations for the Eagles.

Mohamed "Hamoody" Jaafar's film Rouge is an immersive lesson in the history of the small city. He swam through basements, attics, and libraries for footage that hadn't been seen in decades. The early days of the Lofton C Greene era, even River Rouge native and Boston College legend Gerrod Abram breaking a backboard is available for the world to see. His expert methods of mining for information will go down in sports history and forever be respected in the city of River Rouge, and the state of Michigan. The film will be shown at different festivals across America. Jaafar is attempting to get it on streaming services. To check out his previous work, and stay updated on the progress of the Rouge film. Visit his website at https://hamoodyjaafar.com/.

Preceding the film's Friday, April 12th showing director and producer Mohamed "Hamoody" Jaafar was asked a couple of questions by Telegram Newspaper staff. Here is what he had to say.

Gina Wilson-Steward - Is there any way the community can support the film?

Mohamed "Hamoody" Jaafar - I want to thank the community for coming out and showing so much support so far! This film will be nothing without you! As things progress the community can keep an eye on the website, and donate to proper causes that assist in distribution.

Xavier Jones - Are there more stories from the city of River Rouge you plan on capturing?

Mohamed "Hamoody" Jaafar - There are so many stories from River Rouge, but there is only so much time! I've already looked into the history of most of it and it's fascinating! The girl's basketball championships in the 80s and even River Rouge's role in World War II. There are more ideas than time!