ILLEGAL TENDER FILMMAKERS SHED LIGHT ON DRUG CULTURE

John Singleton and Franc Reyes make a film about family surviving the drug culture in the 80s.

Illegal Tender is the story of a strong mother taking care of her family after their father is murdered by a drug gang. The film produced by John Singleton and directed by Franc Reyes takes place during the New York drug culture in the 80s.

The story moves onto Puerto Rico where the son takes revenge for his father’s death by trying to take down the drug kingpin there. John and Franc talk about what it was like shooting the film there.

“Well it’s hot. But besides it being hot it was a lot of fun. I mean the crews in Puerto Rico are phenomenal. The people are just unbelievable, treated us real well. Drink Mojitos and dance the salsa and bands. Frank: Lay by the beach. John: And stuff and lay by the beach. Frank: And you eat some lobster. John: Eat a lot of lobster.”

Illegal Tender stars Rick Gonzalez as the son and his mother is played by the fierce Wanda De Jesus.

“It’s funny you see him in a lot of big roles in a lot of these movies. John: Coach Carter. This is his first movie, first leading role Rick Gonzalez and I think he really carried it very well. Wanda De Jesus is like this generation’s new Pam Grier. Frank: She rocked it man. John: She’s sexy and she comes out blazing and all the women go crazy screaming for her.”

Franc fancies himself as a New York filmmaker and will continue telling stories about the town he knows best. John returns to directing with Tulia reuniting Monster’s Ball stars Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton.