CANAL STREET is a modern-day thriller telling the story of a teen, Kholi Styles (Bryshere Y Gray), trying to get by in an unwelcoming new world. After the mysterious death of a classmate, all eyes fall on Kholi, the new kid at his high school. It’s up to his father, Jackie Styles, an up-and-coming lawyer from the slums of Chicago, to defend his son in court and battle an outraged public before time runs out. Jackie fights to keep his faith and prove his
son is not the monster the world has made him out to be.
Bryshere Gray what drew you to the “Canal Street” project?
The role spoke to me so much. This kid is from the South Side of Chicago who moves to Winnetka when his father get a new job. He feels different from everyone because he’s black and he’s not vibing with the white wealthy popular kids. … They want conflict and he’s not about that. He just wants to do what he needs to do so he can go to college. It’s a very realistic story.
It was also in line with great actors. It’s a great story and it spoke to me with what’s going on in the world. With the Trayvon Martins and the Freddie Grays … it’s called “Canal Street” because there’s a Canal Street in every state. But Chicago will recognize it and know it as a Chicago story.
The screen play for Canal Street was written by Rhyan LaMarr and Jon Knitter with additional writing by Adam Key.
Based on the trailer are you going to see it?