Carl Franklin
Encyclopedia
Carl Franklin is an American
actor
, screenwriter
and film
and television director
. Franklin is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley
and continued his education at the AFI Conservatory
, where he graduated with an M.F.A. degree
in directing in 1986. Franklin is most noted for Devil in a Blue Dress
, which was based on the book
by Walter Mosley
and starred Denzel Washington
and Don Cheadle
.
. Franklin’s initial desires to become a teacher or lawyer lead him to study History upon his arrival at the university. However, after two years, Franklin changed his major to theater arts. It has been rumored that he became interested in the arts while trying to meet girls by spending time around the theater department. His time at Berkeley marked the beginning of his acting career.
Good timing found Franklin in the center of the famous political demonstrations at Berkeley in the 1960s. While the entire movement was impossible to ignore, Franklin did not actively participate and chose rather to observe his surroundings. Describing the scene, Franklin told the LA Times "It was like a dream to me, I wasn't really sophisticated enough to join a particular movement." However, it has been noted that the Black Power movement in particular caught his eye.
, where he appeared in the Twelfth Night, Timon of Athens, and Cymbeline. Perusing his love of acting with an on-stage career, Franklin performed off-Broadway with The Public Theater. He has performed at many well-known public arenas such as Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
and the Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York, as well as the Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.).
With experience under his belt on the off-Broadway circuit, Franklin began his on-screen career with a film called Five on the Black Hand Side
in 1973. From there, he acted in a string of guest roles on television shows such as The Rockford Files
, Good Times
, Caribe, The Incredible Hulk, McClain’s Law, and The Streets of San Francisco
. Over the years, Franklin’s looks have typically landed him roles portraying men of power, such as members of the police force or military officials. Franklin’s most recognizable acting role was his 1983-1985 portrayal of Captain Crane on the popular action-adventure series The A-Team
. After two seasons on the show, Franklin realized that acting became mundane and unsatisfying to him.
He began to experiment with filmmaking, getting his feet wet with writing and production. Franklin is quoted in L.A. Weekly, saying "Acting made a director out of me.” And so, at age 37, Franklin made an important decision to return to school in 1986. This time, he chose the AFI Conservatory
in Los Angeles, where he studied film directing, studying mostly the works of European and Japanese directors. He obtained his M.F.A. degree
in directing in 1986.
His time at AFI culminated in a life-changing project. For his master’s thesis, Franklin produced a short film called Punk in 1989. The film follows the story of an African-American boy faced with the realities of familial stress, societal pressures, and the ever-daunting development of sexual discovery. Franklin’s 30-minute film can be attributed to both failure and success. The production of the film cost Franklin his home and left him in a state of financial crisis, however, the impactful final product gained him attention in an industry that is nearly impossible to infiltrate. From there, his vision carried him through a successful career.
in 1989. Corman was one of many directors who had been impressed with Franklin’s thesis film Punk. Corman took on Franklin as a sort of protégé, working under him at his production company Concord Films. Corman has become well known for discovering young talent, having mentored famed filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese
, Francis Ford Coppola
, Ron Howard
, and Peter Bogdanovich
. Clearly, Franklin was in good hands.
While working at Concord Films, Franklin gained experience working on low-budget films, helping to crank out six films in just two years’ time. Roger Corman
is known for fast-paced filmmaking, with a reputation for cranking out screenplays in a matter of weeks and filming them even faster. Working with Corman gave Franklin the opportunity to write, direct, produce, and occasionally even act in a wide range of mostly unseen films. Throughout the experience, Franklin found himself working on films in exotic locations such as Peru and the Philippines, and pushing himself creatively . From 1989 to 1990, Franklin worked on Nowhere to Run, Eye of the Eagle 2: Inside the Enemy, and Full Fanthom Five, respectively, under Concord Films.
Franklin’s approach to the screenplay produced a thriller just shy of the Film Noir
genre, dealing with themes of drugs, violence, and sexual relationships. The story follows three drug dealers, played by Billy Bob Thornton
, Cynda Williams
, and Michael Beach
and their interactions with an Arkansas sheriff played by Bill Paxton
. Far from his low-budget past, Franklin’s budget of $2 million gave him a bit of room to be creative, and achieve his entire vision for the film. What set this film apart from the countless other cops and robbers movies was Franklin’s insight into the underlying racial aspect that the film presented. With a unique perspective on a classic topic of racial tension, Franklin’s performance as director was praised above all. However, the original version of the film, which was released in 1991, was thought to be overly violent. In response to such claims, Franklin told the Observer, “I didn't want people getting excited seeing how neat someone can be killed… I want the audience to feel the emotional loss of life--the real violence is the loss, the violation of humanity. They've taken from us someone who had dreams, hopes, the same set of emotions we have."
The film is noted for Franklin’s creative use of the pastoral motif. By combining cinematic and literary traditions, Franklin paints a picture of a crime, deeply rooted in the South, pointing out that the real issues at stake date back farther than one would expect. The underlying commentary on the severity of racial issues is one that has not been expressed by many other filmmakers in this way, however, Franklin’s film has been likened to Oscar Micheaux
's Within Our Gates (1920), John Singleton's Boyz N the Hood (1991), and Roman Polanski
's Chinatown (1974).
Despite the film’s lack of professional publicity, One False Move was largely promoted by word of mouth and earned itself mixed reviews. However, the reviews that were positive were very positive, gaining the project more attention. The film was bestowed the honor of Best Film of the Year by Gene Siskel
and Roger Ebert
in 1992, and was named one of the 10 Best Films of 1992 by the National Review Board.
Next came one of Franklin’s most famous films, Devil in a Blue Dress. Franklin’s involvement in the production stemmed from Franklin’s admiration for Walter Mosley
, author of the original mystery novel. Heavily invested in the project both as a director and fan, Franklin adapted the screenplay himself. Working again with Jesse Beaton, and now with Jonathan Demme
as Executive Producer, they were able to obtain a strong, $20 million budget for the film, paving the way for a smooth production. With Denzel Washington
on board to play the lead role, the film showed great promise.
Set in Los Angeles in the end of the 1940s, the story follows an African American private detective and his often challenging career. The film’s biggest contribution was its recreation of South Central Los Angeles, in a time when the neighborhood was at its peak of historical relevance. His portrayal of the area touched on a piece of time often overlooked, and reminded audiences of the community values of Los Angeles, and especially hit home for many African American viewers, who appreciated the insight into the family values that define their culture. Reviews for the film vary, again mostly commending Franklin’s ability to capture strife with beautiful directorial skill more than on the film itself. The positive impression left by the film earned Franklin more positive publicity, making Franklin a highly sought-after director to many top writers and producers in the industry.
Switching gears back to television, Franklin directed Laurel Avenue, a two-part miniseries focused on an African American family in Minnesota for HBO in 1993. Franklin’s portrayal of the realities of the African American community were highly regarded, further demonstrating his knack for hard-hitting reality mixed with a deep sentimentality and understanding of humanity. One issue in particular that stood out in the series was the issue of drug use. Franklin defended his depictions, explaining that "Drugs are a huge problem in the black community. Not to include that would be a stupid oversight. But if the subject of drugs is introduced in the context of a hardworking family that has managed to maintain unity, and the audience sees drugs as a threat to that unity, they get a much greater understanding of the problem." The series brought Franklin even more positive reviews, proving that it is his upfront approach to portraying reality that continues to bring him success.
Following Laurel Avenue, Franklin found himself maintaining A-list status, which allowed him to work on bigger and more visible projects, such as 1998’s One True Thing. The film is adaptation of an autobiographical story of a New York Journalist, written by Anna Quindlan. The emotional film starring Renee Zellweger
outlines the life of a woman whose life is changed when her mother, played by Meryl Streep
is diagnosed with cancer. With no option but to leave Manhattan for the small town where she was raised, the story of mother and daughter unfolds.
As a prominent African American filmmaker, Franklin stands apart from the rest in his careful selection of projects. While many of his most notable films touch on the subject of racial climates and the struggles that ensue, Franklin does not hide behind his race. Explaining to The L.A Times, "My ethnicity is a plus, a tool. It gives me ammunition in terms of the way I view the world. There are certain stories in the black community that inform us all.” Combining his humanitarian instincts and personal experiences, Franklin stands out as a visionary for community improvement through his films. However, a large part of Franklin’s remarkable journey revolves around the fact that he is black. Discussing the realities for African Americans in the television and film industry, Franklin said "When I came up, the only legitimate dramatic actor was Sidney Poitier
, the bankable star was Richard Pryor
and the other choice roles were action parts that went to Jim Brown
. Even someone as good as Billy Dee Williams
had a couple of great moments and then couldn't get a decent part." With a very small window of opportunity for African Americans at the time that Franklin was getting his start, his skills and educational background contributed to his success.
Franklin is a standout filmmaker regardless of his race, yet he is often praised for his ability to overcome adversity, and is recognized for his highly-regarded opinion as well as his relevant contributions. In February 2000, Franklin was featured as a Black History Month guest speaker at Indiana University
’s ‘’Black Film Center/Archive’’. The group hosted an event called A Night with Filmmaker Carl Franklin, which gave Franklin the opportunity to talk about his experience in the movie industry as well as show a preview of his film Devil in a Blue Dress
. Franklin's appearance was highly regarded by many students who were honored to meet him in person.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and film
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and television director
Television director
A television director directs the activities involved in making a television program and is part of a television crew.-Duties:The duties of a television director vary depending on whether the production is live or recorded to video tape or video server .In both types of productions, the...
. Franklin is a graduate of University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
and continued his education at the AFI Conservatory
AFI Conservatory
The AFI Conservatory is a division of the American Film Institute founded in 1969, located in Hollywood's Griffith Park. The school is the only existing Master of Fine Arts conservatory in advanced film education...
, where he graduated with an M.F.A. degree
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in directing in 1986. Franklin is most noted for Devil in a Blue Dress
Devil in a Blue Dress (film)
Devil in a Blue Dress is a 1995 American neo-noir film directed by Carl Franklin and photographed by Tak Fujimoto.The film was based on Walter Mosley's novel of the same name, was executive produced by Jonathan Demme, and starred Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, and Don Cheadle.In...
, which was based on the book
Devil in a Blue Dress
Devil in a Blue Dress is a 1990 hardboiled mystery novel by Walter Mosley.The text centers on the main character, Ezekiel "Easy" Rawlins, and his transformation from a day laborer into a detective. The story begins with Easy out-of-work and unable to pay his mortgage...
by Walter Mosley
Walter Mosley
Walter Ellis Mosley is an American novelist, most widely recognized for his crime fiction. He has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Easy Rawlins, a black private investigator and World War II veteran living in the Watts neighborhood of Los...
and starred Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and film producer. He first rose to prominence when he joined the cast of the medical drama, St. Elsewhere, playing Dr...
and Don Cheadle
Don Cheadle
Donald Frank "Don" Cheadle, Jr. is an American film actor and producer. Cheadle rose to prominence in the late 1990s and the early 2000s for his supporting roles in the Steven Soderbergh-directed films Out of Sight, Traffic, and Ocean's Eleven...
.
Early life
Franklin was raised outside of San Francisco in Richmond, California. He never had the opportunity to know his biological father, as he passed away before Carl was born. Franklin was raised by his mother and stepfather. While Franklin speaks highly of his stepfather and has called him “very loving,” Franklin has spoken out about his stepfather’s abusive tendencies, linking his outlashes to alcohol use. Problems at home combined with life in a tough neighborhood fueled Franklin’s ambition to be the first in his family to attend college. In high school, Franklin worked hard on his academics, which paid off when he was awarded a scholarship to University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Franklin’s initial desires to become a teacher or lawyer lead him to study History upon his arrival at the university. However, after two years, Franklin changed his major to theater arts. It has been rumored that he became interested in the arts while trying to meet girls by spending time around the theater department. His time at Berkeley marked the beginning of his acting career.
Good timing found Franklin in the center of the famous political demonstrations at Berkeley in the 1960s. While the entire movement was impossible to ignore, Franklin did not actively participate and chose rather to observe his surroundings. Describing the scene, Franklin told the LA Times "It was like a dream to me, I wasn't really sophisticated enough to join a particular movement." However, it has been noted that the Black Power movement in particular caught his eye.
Early career
Upon completion of a BA degree in Theater Arts, Franklin almost immediately moved to New York City with hopes of becoming an actor. One of his first jobs was acting in the New York Shakespeare FestivalNew York Shakespeare Festival
New York Shakespeare Festival is the previous name of the New York City theatrical producing organization now known as the Public Theater. The Festival produced shows at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, as part of its free Shakespeare in the Park series, at the Public Theatre near Astor Place...
, where he appeared in the Twelfth Night, Timon of Athens, and Cymbeline. Perusing his love of acting with an on-stage career, Franklin performed off-Broadway with The Public Theater. He has performed at many well-known public arenas such as Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts is a complex of buildings in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of New York City's Upper West Side. Reynold Levy has been its president since 2002.-History and facilities:...
and the Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York, as well as the Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.).
With experience under his belt on the off-Broadway circuit, Franklin began his on-screen career with a film called Five on the Black Hand Side
Five on the Black Hand Side
Five on the Black Hand Side is a 1973 comedy film based on the play by Charlie L. Russell. It was shot in Los Angeles. Leonard Jackson appeared as John Henry Brooks. He was cast in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple fifteen years later. Its tagline was "You've been coffy-tized, blacula-rized and...
in 1973. From there, he acted in a string of guest roles on television shows such as The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files
The Rockford Files is an American television drama series which aired on the NBC network between September 13, 1974 and January 10, 1980. It has remained in regular syndication to the present day. The show stars James Garner as Los Angeles-based private investigator Jim Rockford and features Noah...
, Good Times
Good Times
Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer...
, Caribe, The Incredible Hulk, McClain’s Law, and The Streets of San Francisco
The Streets of San Francisco
The Streets of San Francisco is a 1970s television police drama filmed on location in San Francisco, California, and produced by Quinn Martin Productions, with the first season produced in association with Warner Bros...
. Over the years, Franklin’s looks have typically landed him roles portraying men of power, such as members of the police force or military officials. Franklin’s most recognizable acting role was his 1983-1985 portrayal of Captain Crane on the popular action-adventure series The A-Team
The A-Team
The A-Team is an American action adventure television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel who work as soldiers of fortune, while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit". The A-Team was created by...
. After two seasons on the show, Franklin realized that acting became mundane and unsatisfying to him.
He began to experiment with filmmaking, getting his feet wet with writing and production. Franklin is quoted in L.A. Weekly, saying "Acting made a director out of me.” And so, at age 37, Franklin made an important decision to return to school in 1986. This time, he chose the AFI Conservatory
AFI Conservatory
The AFI Conservatory is a division of the American Film Institute founded in 1969, located in Hollywood's Griffith Park. The school is the only existing Master of Fine Arts conservatory in advanced film education...
in Los Angeles, where he studied film directing, studying mostly the works of European and Japanese directors. He obtained his M.F.A. degree
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in directing in 1986.
His time at AFI culminated in a life-changing project. For his master’s thesis, Franklin produced a short film called Punk in 1989. The film follows the story of an African-American boy faced with the realities of familial stress, societal pressures, and the ever-daunting development of sexual discovery. Franklin’s 30-minute film can be attributed to both failure and success. The production of the film cost Franklin his home and left him in a state of financial crisis, however, the impactful final product gained him attention in an industry that is nearly impossible to infiltrate. From there, his vision carried him through a successful career.
Concord Films
Straight out of his Master’s program, Franklin landed a job with well-known cult classic movie director Roger CormanRoger Corman
Roger William Corman is an American film producer, director and actor. He has mostly worked on low-budget B movies. Some of Corman's work has an established critical reputation, such as his cycle of films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and in 2009 he won an Honorary Academy Award for...
in 1989. Corman was one of many directors who had been impressed with Franklin’s thesis film Punk. Corman took on Franklin as a sort of protégé, working under him at his production company Concord Films. Corman has become well known for discovering young talent, having mentored famed filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese
Martin Charles Scorsese is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, actor, and film historian. In 1990 he founded The Film Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to film preservation, and in 2007 he founded the World Cinema Foundation...
, Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola
Francis Ford Coppola is an American film director, producer and screenwriter. He is widely acclaimed as one of Hollywood's most innovative and influential film directors...
, Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Ronald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
, and Peter Bogdanovich
Peter Bogdanovich
Peter Bogdanovich is an American film historian, director, writer, actor, producer, and critic. He was part of the wave of "New Hollywood" directors, which included William Friedkin, Brian De Palma, George Lucas, Martin Scorsese, Michael Cimino, and Francis Ford Coppola...
. Clearly, Franklin was in good hands.
While working at Concord Films, Franklin gained experience working on low-budget films, helping to crank out six films in just two years’ time. Roger Corman
Roger Corman
Roger William Corman is an American film producer, director and actor. He has mostly worked on low-budget B movies. Some of Corman's work has an established critical reputation, such as his cycle of films adapted from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, and in 2009 he won an Honorary Academy Award for...
is known for fast-paced filmmaking, with a reputation for cranking out screenplays in a matter of weeks and filming them even faster. Working with Corman gave Franklin the opportunity to write, direct, produce, and occasionally even act in a wide range of mostly unseen films. Throughout the experience, Franklin found himself working on films in exotic locations such as Peru and the Philippines, and pushing himself creatively . From 1989 to 1990, Franklin worked on Nowhere to Run, Eye of the Eagle 2: Inside the Enemy, and Full Fanthom Five, respectively, under Concord Films.
Later career
At the end of the 80s, producer Jesse Beaton was looking for a director for a film called One False Move. The script’s edgy appeal needed someone gritty and fresh. Remembering Franklin’s short film Punk, Beaton met Carl to discuss the film’s vision. Hoping to focus more on the character of the story rather than the aesthetics, Beaton understood that Franklin was the right man for the job, making One False Move Carl Franklin’s directorial debut.Franklin’s approach to the screenplay produced a thriller just shy of the Film Noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
genre, dealing with themes of drugs, violence, and sexual relationships. The story follows three drug dealers, played by Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton
Billy Bob Thornton is an American actor, screenwriter, director and musician. Thornton gained early recognition as a cast member on the CBS sitcom Hearts Afire and in several early 1990s films including On Deadly Ground and Tombstone...
, Cynda Williams
Cynda Williams
Cynda Williams is an American television and film actress.-Early life:Born in Chicago, Illinois as Cynthia Williams, she was known by her birth name of Cindy Williams until she started her film career...
, and Michael Beach
Michael Beach
-Biography:Beach was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, of Cape Verdean descent. He attended the prestigious Noble & Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts on scholarship from ABC . He was introduced to acting when he was sidelined by a lacrosse injury during high school by a classmate...
and their interactions with an Arkansas sheriff played by Bill Paxton
Bill Paxton
William "Bill" Paxton is an American actor and film director. He gained popularity after starring roles in the films Apollo 13, Twister, Aliens, True Lies, and Titanic...
. Far from his low-budget past, Franklin’s budget of $2 million gave him a bit of room to be creative, and achieve his entire vision for the film. What set this film apart from the countless other cops and robbers movies was Franklin’s insight into the underlying racial aspect that the film presented. With a unique perspective on a classic topic of racial tension, Franklin’s performance as director was praised above all. However, the original version of the film, which was released in 1991, was thought to be overly violent. In response to such claims, Franklin told the Observer, “I didn't want people getting excited seeing how neat someone can be killed… I want the audience to feel the emotional loss of life--the real violence is the loss, the violation of humanity. They've taken from us someone who had dreams, hopes, the same set of emotions we have."
The film is noted for Franklin’s creative use of the pastoral motif. By combining cinematic and literary traditions, Franklin paints a picture of a crime, deeply rooted in the South, pointing out that the real issues at stake date back farther than one would expect. The underlying commentary on the severity of racial issues is one that has not been expressed by many other filmmakers in this way, however, Franklin’s film has been likened to Oscar Micheaux
Oscar Micheaux
Oscar Devereaux Micheaux was an American author, film director and independent producer of more than 44 films...
's Within Our Gates (1920), John Singleton's Boyz N the Hood (1991), and Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film director, producer, writer and actor. Having made films in Poland, Britain, France and the USA, he is considered one of the few "truly international filmmakers."...
's Chinatown (1974).
Despite the film’s lack of professional publicity, One False Move was largely promoted by word of mouth and earned itself mixed reviews. However, the reviews that were positive were very positive, gaining the project more attention. The film was bestowed the honor of Best Film of the Year by Gene Siskel
Gene Siskel
Eugene Kal "Gene" Siskel was an American film critic and journalist for the Chicago Tribune. Along with colleague Roger Ebert, he hosted the popular review show Siskel & Ebert At the Movies from 1975 until his death....
and Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
in 1992, and was named one of the 10 Best Films of 1992 by the National Review Board.
Next came one of Franklin’s most famous films, Devil in a Blue Dress. Franklin’s involvement in the production stemmed from Franklin’s admiration for Walter Mosley
Walter Mosley
Walter Ellis Mosley is an American novelist, most widely recognized for his crime fiction. He has written a series of best-selling historical mysteries featuring the hard-boiled detective Easy Rawlins, a black private investigator and World War II veteran living in the Watts neighborhood of Los...
, author of the original mystery novel. Heavily invested in the project both as a director and fan, Franklin adapted the screenplay himself. Working again with Jesse Beaton, and now with Jonathan Demme
Jonathan Demme
Robert Jonathan Demme is an American filmmaker, producer and screenwriter. Best known for directing The Silence of the Lambs, which won him the Academy Award for Best Director, he has also directed the acclaimed movies Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married, the Talking Heads concert movie Stop...
as Executive Producer, they were able to obtain a strong, $20 million budget for the film, paving the way for a smooth production. With Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington
Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and film producer. He first rose to prominence when he joined the cast of the medical drama, St. Elsewhere, playing Dr...
on board to play the lead role, the film showed great promise.
Set in Los Angeles in the end of the 1940s, the story follows an African American private detective and his often challenging career. The film’s biggest contribution was its recreation of South Central Los Angeles, in a time when the neighborhood was at its peak of historical relevance. His portrayal of the area touched on a piece of time often overlooked, and reminded audiences of the community values of Los Angeles, and especially hit home for many African American viewers, who appreciated the insight into the family values that define their culture. Reviews for the film vary, again mostly commending Franklin’s ability to capture strife with beautiful directorial skill more than on the film itself. The positive impression left by the film earned Franklin more positive publicity, making Franklin a highly sought-after director to many top writers and producers in the industry.
Switching gears back to television, Franklin directed Laurel Avenue, a two-part miniseries focused on an African American family in Minnesota for HBO in 1993. Franklin’s portrayal of the realities of the African American community were highly regarded, further demonstrating his knack for hard-hitting reality mixed with a deep sentimentality and understanding of humanity. One issue in particular that stood out in the series was the issue of drug use. Franklin defended his depictions, explaining that "Drugs are a huge problem in the black community. Not to include that would be a stupid oversight. But if the subject of drugs is introduced in the context of a hardworking family that has managed to maintain unity, and the audience sees drugs as a threat to that unity, they get a much greater understanding of the problem." The series brought Franklin even more positive reviews, proving that it is his upfront approach to portraying reality that continues to bring him success.
Following Laurel Avenue, Franklin found himself maintaining A-list status, which allowed him to work on bigger and more visible projects, such as 1998’s One True Thing. The film is adaptation of an autobiographical story of a New York Journalist, written by Anna Quindlan. The emotional film starring Renee Zellweger
Renée Zellweger
Renée Kathleen Zellweger is an American actress and producer. Zellweger first gained widespread attention for her role in the film Jerry Maguire , and subsequently received two nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her roles as Bridget Jones in the comedy Bridget Jones's Diary ...
outlines the life of a woman whose life is changed when her mother, played by Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep
Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television and film.Streep made her professional stage debut in 1971's The Playboy of Seville, before her screen debut in the television movie The Deadliest Season in 1977. In that same year, she made her film debut with...
is diagnosed with cancer. With no option but to leave Manhattan for the small town where she was raised, the story of mother and daughter unfolds.
Racial Ties and Film
Franklin supports the portrayal of African American history in films, and has been quoted as saying “I am interested in the universal values of the black experience.” However, just because Franklin is a filmmaker who is African American does not mean that all of his films are racially motivated. Not all of his films revolve around a central theme of culture: some of his films cover racial issues, while others do not. Franklin maintains a wide subject range in his films, choosing not to focus solely on his heritage.As a prominent African American filmmaker, Franklin stands apart from the rest in his careful selection of projects. While many of his most notable films touch on the subject of racial climates and the struggles that ensue, Franklin does not hide behind his race. Explaining to The L.A Times, "My ethnicity is a plus, a tool. It gives me ammunition in terms of the way I view the world. There are certain stories in the black community that inform us all.” Combining his humanitarian instincts and personal experiences, Franklin stands out as a visionary for community improvement through his films. However, a large part of Franklin’s remarkable journey revolves around the fact that he is black. Discussing the realities for African Americans in the television and film industry, Franklin said "When I came up, the only legitimate dramatic actor was Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE is a Bahamian American actor, film director, author, and diplomat.In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field...
, the bankable star was Richard Pryor
Richard Pryor
Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor was an American stand-up comedian, actor, social critic, writer and MC. Pryor was known for uncompromising examinations of racism and topical contemporary issues, which employed colorful vulgarities, and profanity, as well as racial epithets...
and the other choice roles were action parts that went to Jim Brown
Jim Brown
James Nathaniel "Jim" Brown is an American former professional football player who has also made his mark as an actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by Sporting News...
. Even someone as good as Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams
William December "Billy Dee" Williams, Jr. is an American actor, artist, singer, and writer.-Early life:Williams was born in New York City, New York, the son of Loretta...
had a couple of great moments and then couldn't get a decent part." With a very small window of opportunity for African Americans at the time that Franklin was getting his start, his skills and educational background contributed to his success.
Franklin is a standout filmmaker regardless of his race, yet he is often praised for his ability to overcome adversity, and is recognized for his highly-regarded opinion as well as his relevant contributions. In February 2000, Franklin was featured as a Black History Month guest speaker at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
’s ‘’Black Film Center/Archive’’. The group hosted an event called A Night with Filmmaker Carl Franklin, which gave Franklin the opportunity to talk about his experience in the movie industry as well as show a preview of his film Devil in a Blue Dress
Devil in a Blue Dress (film)
Devil in a Blue Dress is a 1995 American neo-noir film directed by Carl Franklin and photographed by Tak Fujimoto.The film was based on Walter Mosley's novel of the same name, was executive produced by Jonathan Demme, and starred Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, and Don Cheadle.In...
. Franklin's appearance was highly regarded by many students who were honored to meet him in person.
Actor
- Five on the Black Hand SideFive on the Black Hand SideFive on the Black Hand Side is a 1973 comedy film based on the play by Charlie L. Russell. It was shot in Los Angeles. Leonard Jackson appeared as John Henry Brooks. He was cast in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple fifteen years later. Its tagline was "You've been coffy-tized, blacula-rized and...
(1973) - The Streets of San FranciscoThe Streets of San FranciscoThe Streets of San Francisco is a 1970s television police drama filmed on location in San Francisco, California, and produced by Quinn Martin Productions, with the first season produced in association with Warner Bros...
(1 episode, 1974) - It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy (1974)
- Caribe (Unknown episodes)
- Good TimesGood TimesGood Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Michael Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer...
(2 episodes, 1975–1976) - Visions (1 episode, 1976)
- Most WantedMost Wanted (TV series)Most Wanted is an American crime drama series shown on ABC from October 16, 1976 until August 20, 1977. It starred Robert Stack, Jo Ann Harris, Shelly Novack, and Hari Rhodes...
(1 episode, 1976) - The Fantastic JourneyThe Fantastic JourneyThe Fantastic Journey is an American science fiction television series that was originally aired on NBC from February 3 through June 17, 1977.-Premise:...
(10 episodes, 1977) - Loose Change (1978)
- The Incredible Hulk (1 episode, 1978)
- CentennialCentennial (miniseries)Centennial is a 12-episode American television miniseriesthat aired on NBC from October 1978 to February 1979. It was based on the novel of the same name by James A. Michener. The miniseries was produced by John Wilder....
(1978) - The Rockford FilesThe Rockford FilesThe Rockford Files is an American television drama series which aired on the NBC network between September 13, 1974 and January 10, 1980. It has remained in regular syndication to the present day. The show stars James Garner as Los Angeles-based private investigator Jim Rockford and features Noah...
(2 episodes, 1978) - The Legend of the Golden GunThe Legend of the Golden GunThe Legend of the Golden Gun is a 1979 Made-for-TV Western film, starring Jeff Osterhage, Hal Holbrook, Carl Franklin, and Robert Davi-Plot Summary:...
(1979) - Trapper John, M.D.Trapper John, M.D.Trapper John, M.D. is an American television medical drama and spin-off of the film MASH, concerning a lovable surgeon who became a mentor and father figure in San Francisco, California. The show ran on CBS from September 23, 1979, to September 4, 1986....
(1 episode, 1979) - Barnaby JonesBarnaby JonesBarnaby Jones is a television detective series starring Buddy Ebsen and Lee Meriwether as father- and daughter-in-law who run a private detective firm in Los Angeles. A spin-off from Cannon, the show ran on CBS from January 28, 1973 to April 3, 1980, beginning as a midseason replacement...
(2 episodes, 1975–1980) - The White ShadowThe White ShadowThe White Shadow is an American drama television series that ran on the CBS network from November 27, 1978, to March 16, 1981.-Overview:...
(1 episode, 1980) - Lou GrantLou Grant (TV series)Lou Grant is an American television drama series starring Ed Asner in the titular role as a newspaper editor. Unusual in American television, this drama series was a spinoff from a sitcom, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Aired from 1977 to 1982, Lou Grant won 13 Emmy Awards, including "Outstanding Drama...
(1 episode, 1980) - McClain's LawMcClain's LawMcClain's Law is an American crime drama television series that aired on NBC during the 1981-1982 season. New episodes ended on March 20, and rebroadcasts continued until August 24, 1982.-Summary:...
(Unknown episodes, 1981–1982) - Quincy, M.E.Quincy, M.E.Quincy, M.E., also called Quincy, is a United States television series from Universal Studios that aired from October 3, 1976, to September 5, 1983, on NBC...
(1 episode, 1982) - One Cooks, the Other Doesn't (1983)
- Cover Up (1 episode, 1985)
- The A-TeamThe A-TeamThe A-Team is an American action adventure television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel who work as soldiers of fortune, while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit". The A-Team was created by...
(16 episodes, 1983–1985) - MacGyverMacGyverMacGyver is an American action-adventure television series created by Lee David Zlotoff. Henry Winkler and John Rich were the executive producers. The show ran for seven seasons on ABC in the United States and various other networks abroad from 1985 to 1992. The series was filmed in Los Angeles...
(1 episode, 1985) - RiptideRiptide (TV series)Riptide is a TV detective series that ran on NBC from 1983 to 1986, starring Perry King, Joe Penny, and Thom Bray. Riptide was created by Frank Lupo and Stephen J. Cannell, and produced by Stephen J. Cannell Productions. The main theme was composed by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter...
(1 episode, 1985) - Hill Street BluesHill Street BluesHill Street Blues is an American serial police drama that was first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran for 146 episodes on primetime into 1987. Chronicling the lives of the staff of a single police precinct in an unnamed American city, the show received critical acclaim and its production innovations ...
(1 episode, 1986) - A Smoky Mountain ChristmasA Smoky Mountain ChristmasA Smoky Mountain Christmas is a 1986 fantasy television film directed by Henry Winkler . It stars Dolly Parton and Lee Majors.-Plot:...
(1986) - Frank's PlaceFrank's PlaceFrank's Place is an American comedy-drama series which aired on CBS for 22 episodes during the 1987-1988 television schedule. The series was created by Hugh Wilson and executive produced by Wilson and series star Tim Reid.-Plot:Set in New Orleans, Frank's Place chronicles the life of Frank Parrish...
(1 episode, 1987) - ALFALF (TV series)ALF is an American science fiction sitcom that originally aired on NBC from 1986 to 1990, created by Paul Fusco. The title character was Gordon Shumway, a friendly extraterrestrial nicknamed ALF , who crash lands in the garage of the suburban middle-class Tanner family.The series starred Max...
(2 episodes, 1987) - Too Good to Be TrueToo Good to Be True (film)Too Good to Be True is a 1988 American television film starring Loni Anderson, Patrick Duffy, Daniel Baldwin, Glynnis O'Connor, Larry Drake, Neil Patrick Harris, James Sikking, and Julie Harris....
(1988) - Eye of the Eagle 2: Inside the Enemy (1989)
- Last Stand at Lang Mei (1990)
- Steel Magnolias (1 episode, 1990)
- Full Fathom Five (1990)
- In the Heat of Passion (1992)
- RoseanneRoseanne (TV series)Roseanne is an American sitcom broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997. Starring Roseanne Barr, the show revolved around the Conners, an Illinois working class family...
(2 episodes, 1991–1992)
Director
- Punk (1986)
- Nowhere to Run (1989)
- Eye of the Eagle 2: Inside the Enemy (1989)
- Full Fathom FiveFull Fathom Five (film)Full Fathom Five is an action film from 1990, written by Bart Davis and directed by Carl Franklin, starring Michael Moriarty, Maria Rangel, and Diego Bertie.-Synopsis:Full Fathom Five, based on the novel by...
(1990) - One False MoveOne False MoveOne False Move is a 1992 thriller film co-written by Billy Bob Thornton. The film, also starring Thornton, Bill Paxton and Cynda Williams was directed by Carl Franklin. The low-budget B-movie was to be released straight to home video when it was finished. The film became popular through word of...
(1992) - Devil in a Blue DressDevil in a Blue Dress (film)Devil in a Blue Dress is a 1995 American neo-noir film directed by Carl Franklin and photographed by Tak Fujimoto.The film was based on Walter Mosley's novel of the same name, was executive produced by Jonathan Demme, and starred Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, and Don Cheadle.In...
(1995) - One True ThingOne True ThingOne True Thing is a 1998 American drama film directed by Carl Franklin. It tells the story of a woman who is forced to put her life on hold in order to care for her mother who is dying of cancer. It was adapted by Karen Croner from the novel by Anna Quindlen. The movie stars Meryl Streep, Renée...
(1998) - Partners (Unknown episodes, 1999)
- High CrimesHigh CrimesHigh Crimes is a 2002 American thriller film directed by Carl Franklin. The screenplay by Yuri Zeltser and Grace Cary Bickley is based on a novel by Joseph Finder.-Plot:...
(2002) - Out of Time (2003)
- RomeRome (TV series)Rome is a British-American–Italian historical drama television series created by Bruno Heller, John Milius and William J. MacDonald. The show's two seasons premiered in 2005 and 2007, and were later released on DVD. Rome is set in the 1st century BC, during Ancient Rome's transition from Republic...
(1 episode, 2007) - The RichesThe RichesThe Riches is an FX television series, which originally ran from March 15, 2007 to April 29, 2008, and starred Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver.-History:...
(1 episode, 2007) - Snitch (2009)
- The Senator's Wife (2009)
- The PacificThe Pacific (miniseries)The Pacific is a 2010 television series produced by HBO, Seven Network Australia, Sky Movies, Playtone and DreamWorks that premiered in the United States on March 14, 2010....
(2010)
Writer
- Punk (1986)
- Eye of the Eagle 2: Inside the Enemy (1989)
- Last Stand at Lang Mei (1990)
- Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Deauville Film Festival | Nominated | Critics Award | One False Move |
| 1992 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards | Won | New Generation Award | |
| 1992 | Mystfest | Nominated | Best Film | One False Move |
| Won | Best Direction | One False Move | ||
| 1993 | Cognac Festival du Film Policier Festival du Film Policier de Cognac The Festival du Film Policier de Cognac is an annual film festival that took place in Cognac, France from 1982 to 2007 .The festival was disbanded after an extraordinary general meeting in December 2007... |
Won | Grand Prix | One False Move |
| Critics Award | One False Move | |||
| 1993 | Fantasporto Fantasporto Fantasporto, also known as Fantas, is an international film festival, annually organized since 1981 in Porto, Portugal. Giving screen space to commercial feature films, auteur films and experimental projects from all over the world, Fantasporto has created enthusiastic audiences, ranging from... |
Nominated | Best Film | One False Move |
| 1993 | Independent Spirit Awards Independent Spirit Awards The Independent Spirit Awards , founded in 1984, are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Winners were typically presented with acrylic glass pyramids containing suspended shoestrings representing the paltry budgets of independent films. In 1986, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit... |
Won | Best Director | One False Move |
| 1993 | MTV Movie Awards MTV Movie Awards The MTV Movie Awards is a film awards show presented annually on MTV . It also contains movie parodies that used official movie footage with hosts and other celebrities and music performances. The nominees are decided by producers and executives at MTV. Winners are decided online by the general... |
Won | Best New Filmmaker | One False Move |
| 1995 | San Sebastián International Film Festival San Sebastián International Film Festival The San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual FIAPF A category film festival held in the Spanish city of San Sebastián .-History:The festival was founded in 1953... |
Nominated | Golden Seashell | Devil in a Blue Dress |
| 1996 | American Film Institute | Nominated | Franklin J. Schaffner Award | |
| 1996 | Edgar Allan Poe Awards Edgar Award The Edgar Allan Poe Awards , named after Edgar Allan Poe, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America... |
Nominated | Best Motion Picture | Devil in a Blue Dress |
| 2004 | Black Reel Awards Black Reel Awards The Black Reel Awards began in 2000 and were designed to annually recognize and celebrate the achievements of black people in feature, independent and television films... |
Nominated | Film: Best Director | Out of Time |